Best 4 Irresistible Whole Wheat Challah Recipes

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Indulge in the delectable world of homemade whole wheat challah, a classic Jewish bread with a modern twist. This irresistible recipe offers a healthier alternative to traditional challah, crafted with wholesome whole wheat flour that adds a nutty flavor and a satisfying texture. Three variations of this versatile bread await you: the classic challah, a sweet and tender version with honey and raisins, and an aromatic herb-infused challah perfect for savory pairings. Each recipe provides step-by-step instructions, helpful tips, and detailed ingredient lists to ensure a hassle-free baking experience. Whether you're a seasoned baker or just starting, this guide will lead you to create a stunning golden-brown challah that will impress your family and friends. Get ready to embark on this culinary journey and savor the irresistible taste of homemade whole wheat challah in all its variations.

Let's cook with our recipes!

WHOLE WHEAT CHALLAH RECIPE



Whole Wheat Challah Recipe image

A rich egg bread made with whole wheat.

Provided by Liz Berg

Categories     Bread

Time 50m

Number Of Ingredients 10

2 (.25 ounce) packages instant yeast, I use Red Star Platinum
1 cup warm water
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup butter at room temperature
2 teaspoons salt
3 eggs
2 cups whole wheat flour
2 cups all-purpose flour (may add up to 1/2 cup more)
1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
1 egg, beaten with 1 teaspoon water

Steps:

  • Mix the yeast and water together in the bowl of a stand mixer, and let stand for about 5 minutes. With the paddle attachment, mix in 3 eggs, sugar, butter, salt, the whole wheat flour, 2 cups of the all-purpose flour, and oatmeal. Switch out the paddle attachment for the dough hook and knead until smooth and elastic, 5 to 10 minutes, adding more all-purpose flour as needed.
  • Shape the dough into a ball, and place in an oiled bowl, flipping it around to oil the surface of the dough. Cover the bowl loosely with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm area until doubled in size, about 2 hours.
  • Punch down the dough, cover and let rise again till doubled, about an hour.
  • Punch down dough again, then the dough in half. Cut one-half into 3 equal pieces and roll each piece into a rope, about 12 inches long. Pinch 3 ropes together at the top and braid them. Place on a parchment lined baking sheet. Repeat with the other half of the dough.
  • Place the braided challah on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover the loaf with a dry cloth, and let rise in a warm spot until doubled, about 1 hour.
  • Preheat oven to 350º.
  • Brush the loaf with the egg beaten with water, and bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, 20-30 minutes, brushing loaves with egg wash again at the 15-minute mark.
  • Cool before slicing.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 1657 calories, Carbohydrate 246 grams carbohydrates, Cholesterol 362 milligrams cholesterol, Fat 58 grams fat, Fiber 21 grams fiber, Protein 45 grams protein, SaturatedFat 32 grams saturated fat, Sodium 1317 milligrams sodium, Sugar 37 grams sugar, TransFat 2 grams trans fat

D'S WHOLE WHEAT CHALLAH



D's Whole Wheat Challah image

This is a slightly heartier Challah bread recipe with the same great taste. Very easy!! The recipe can be easily cut in half for a medium sized loaf. Sprinkle with oats, poppy seeds, or whatever strikes your fancy.

Provided by Ms. Chaka

Categories     Bread     Yeast Bread Recipes     Egg     Challah Recipes

Time 3h50m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 10

2 (.25 ounce) packages active dry yeast
1 cup warm water (100 degrees F or 38 degrees C)
½ cup granular no-calorie sucralose sweetener (such as Splenda®)
½ cup butter at room temperature
2 teaspoons salt
3 eggs
2 cups whole wheat flour
2 cups all-purpose flour
½ cup rolled oats, slightly crushed
1 egg, beaten

Steps:

  • Mix the yeast and water together in a large bowl, and let stand until a creamy layer forms on top, about 5 minutes. Beat in 3 eggs, sweetener, butter, whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, and rolled oats. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface, and knead until smooth and elastic, 5 to 10 minutes.
  • Form the dough into a compact round shape, and place in an oiled bowl. Turn the dough over several times in the bowl to oil the surface of the dough, cover the bowl with a damp cloth, and let rise in a warm area until doubled in size, about 2 hours.
  • Punch down the dough, and cut into 3 equal-size pieces. Working on a floured surface, roll the dough pieces into ropes about the thickness of your thumb and about 12 inches long. Ropes should be fatter in the middle and thinner at the ends. Pinch 3 ropes together at the top and braid them. Starting with the strand to the right, move it to the left over the middle strand (that strand becomes the new middle strand.) Take the strand farthest to the left, and move it over the new middle strand. Continue braiding, alternating sides each time, until the loaf is braided, and pinch the ends together and fold them underneath for a neat look. Place the braided challah on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover the loaf with a dry cloth, and let rise in a warm spot until doubled, about 1 hour.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • Brush the loaf with 1 beaten egg, and bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, 30 to 40 minutes. Let cool before slicing.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 251.5 calories, Carbohydrate 33.3 g, Cholesterol 82.3 mg, Fat 10.2 g, Fiber 3.6 g, Protein 8 g, SaturatedFat 5.5 g, Sodium 467.6 mg, Sugar 0.3 g

HONEY WHOLE WHEAT CHALLAH



Honey Whole Wheat Challah image

Challah, the delicious and beautiful braided bread traditionally served at the Friday night Jewish Sabbath meal, is made with the addition of whole wheat, and sweetened with honey. This slow-rise recipe is designed for flexibility, so split-second timing isn't necessary. This is a wonderful bread for a first-time breadmaker. Braid with a 3 or 4-strand braid, and sprinkle with sesame or poppy seeds.

Provided by Bobbie Kramer

Categories     Bread     Yeast Bread Recipes     Egg     Challah Recipes

Time 3h45m

Yield 18

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 teaspoons active dry yeast
2 ⅛ cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
1 cup bread flour
⅓ cup vegetable oil
⅓ cup honey, or more to taste
3 eggs
2 teaspoons salt
2 cups bread flour, or more if needed
3 cups whole wheat flour, or more if needed
1 egg
1 teaspoon water
¼ cup sesame seeds

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, mix yeast, warm water and 1 cup of bread flour into a thin batter, and let stand until the mixture shows frothy bubbles, about 10 minutes. Stir in vegetable oil, honey, 3 eggs, and salt until well combined. Beat in 2 more cups of bread flour and the whole wheat flour, alternating flours by cupfuls, until the dough is too stiff to stir in more flour.
  • Turn the dough out onto a floured surface, and knead until smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes, adding more flour if needed to form a slightly sticky dough. Form the dough into a round shape. Lightly oil a bowl, place the dough in the bowl, and turn the dough over a few times to oil the surface. Cover the bowl with a plastic bag, and let rise in a warm, draft-free place until doubled, 1 to 2 hours.
  • Punch down the dough, knead it a few times to remove some of the bubbles, and cut it into 3 equal-sized pieces. Cut the first piece into 3 equal parts. Set the rest of the dough aside under a cloth to prevent drying out while you braid the first loaf.
  • Working on a floured surface, roll the small dough pieces into ropes about the thickness of your thumb and about 12 inches long. Ropes should be fatter in the middle and thinner at the ends. Pinch 3 ropes together at the top and braid them. Starting with the strand to the right, move it to the left over the middle strand (that strand becomes the new middle strand.) Take the strand farthest to the left, and move it over the new middle strand. Continue braiding, alternating sides each time, until the loaf is braided, and pinch the ends together and fold them underneath for a neat look. Repeat for the other 2 loaves, place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and let rise until doubled, 45 minutes to 1 hour.
  • Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Beat 1 egg with 1 teaspoon of water in a small bowl, and brush the egg mixture over the braided challah loaves. Sprinkle with sesame seeds.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until the tops are a deep golden brown and the loaves sound hollow when tapped on the bottom, about 40 minutes. Cool on a rack before slicing.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 206.2 calories, Carbohydrate 31.5 g, Cholesterol 41.3 mg, Fat 6.8 g, Fiber 3.1 g, Protein 6.5 g, SaturatedFat 1.2 g, Sodium 276.8 mg, Sugar 5.4 g

MOST AMAZING CHALLAH



Most Amazing Challah image

I made up my own Challah that is amazing! I have tried countless combinations to finally get it right. It uses quick rise yeast to save you a bunch of time. Enjoy!

Provided by Palsar7

Categories     Bread     Yeast Bread Recipes     Egg     Challah Recipes

Time 2h40m

Yield 32

Number Of Ingredients 10

4 (.25 ounce) packages quick-rise yeast
4 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
2 tablespoons salt
¾ cup white sugar
1 cup pareve margarine, melted
4 eggs
12 cups bread flour, or as needed
1 egg
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ cup sesame seeds, divided

Steps:

  • Sprinkle the yeast over the water in a large bowl, and stir gently to moisten the yeast. Stir in salt, sugar, margarine, and 4 eggs, and beat well. Gradually mix in the flour, 1 cup at a time, up to 12 cups, until the dough becomes slightly tacky but not wet. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface, and knead until smooth and elastic, 8 to 10 minutes.
  • Grease baking sheets, or line them with parchment paper and set aside.
  • Cut the bread dough into 4 equal-sized pieces (or 2 pieces to make 2 large loaves). Cut each piece into thirds for 3-strand braided loaves. Working on a floured surface, roll the small dough pieces into ropes about the thickness of your thumb and about 12 inches long. Ropes should be fatter in the middle and thinner at the ends. Pinch 3 ropes together at the top and braid them. Starting with the strand to the right, move it to the left over the middle strand (that strand becomes the new middle strand.) Take the strand farthest to the left, and move it over the new middle strand. Continue braiding, alternating sides each time, until the loaf is braided, and pinch the ends together and fold them underneath for a neat look. Repeat for the remaining loaves.
  • Place the loaves onto the prepared baking sheets, and let rise until double in size, 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
  • Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Whisk 1 egg with vanilla extract in a small bowl, and brush the loaves with the egg wash. Sprinkle each loaf with about 1 tablespoon of sesame seeds.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until the tops are shiny and golden brown, about 30 minutes. Let cool before slicing.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 274.1 calories, Carbohydrate 42.7 g, Cholesterol 29.1 mg, Fat 7.8 g, Fiber 1.5 g, Protein 7.7 g, SaturatedFat 1.4 g, Sodium 515.2 mg, Sugar 5 g

Tips:

  • Use fresh ingredients: Fresh ingredients, especially good quality flour, will make a big difference in the taste of your challah.
  • Measure your ingredients accurately: Baking is a science, and accurate measurements are essential for success. Use a kitchen scale to measure your ingredients, especially the flour.
  • Proof the yeast: Proofing the yeast is an important step that helps to ensure that your challah will rise properly. To proof the yeast, dissolve it in warm water with a little sugar and let it sit for 5-10 minutes, or until it becomes foamy.
  • Knead the dough properly: Kneading the dough develops the gluten in the flour, which gives the challah its chewy texture. Knead the dough for at least 5 minutes, or until it is smooth and elastic.
  • Let the dough rise in a warm place: The dough needs to rise in a warm place in order to double in size. A good place to let the dough rise is in a turned-off oven with the light on.
  • Bake the challah at a high temperature: Baking the challah at a high temperature will help to create a golden brown crust.
  • Brush the challah with egg wash before baking: Brushing the challah with egg wash before baking will give it a shiny glaze.

Conclusion:

Whole wheat challah is a delicious and healthy bread that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It is perfect for Shabbat or any other special occasion. With a little planning and effort, you can easily make your own whole wheat challah at home. So what are you waiting for? Give it a try!

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