Description
Soft And Buttery Challah Bread is a golden braided homemade bread with a tender, rich crumb and a glossy bakery-style crust. This easy recipe is perfect for breakfast ideas, brunch boards, holiday dinners, cozy food ideas, and homemade bread lovers who want a soft buttery loaf that slices beautifully and tastes amazing fresh, toasted, or turned into French toast.
Ingredients
1 cup warm whole milk
2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 large egg yolk
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
4 cups bread flour
1 1/2 teaspoons fine salt
1 large egg, for egg wash
1 tablespoon water, for egg wash
1 tablespoon sesame seeds or poppy seeds, optional
Instructions
1. Combine warm milk, yeast, and sugar in a large bowl. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes, until foamy.
2. Add the eggs, egg yolk, melted butter, flour, and salt. Mix until a soft dough forms.
3. Knead the dough for 8 to 10 minutes by hand, or 6 to 8 minutes with a dough hook, until smooth and elastic.
4. Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover, and let it rise for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, or until doubled in size.
5. Punch down the dough gently and divide it into 3 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a long rope.
6. Pinch the ropes together at the top and braid the loaf. Tuck the ends underneath and place the braid on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
7. Cover loosely and let the braided loaf rise for 35 to 45 minutes, until puffy.
8. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Whisk the egg with water and brush it over the loaf. Sprinkle with seeds if using.
9. Bake for 28 to 32 minutes, until deeply golden and baked through.
10. Cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing.
Notes
For the softest challah, avoid adding too much flour. The dough should feel soft and slightly tacky before the first rise.
Let the braided loaf rise until noticeably puffy before baking. This helps prevent a dense texture.
Cool the bread before slicing so the crumb sets properly and does not turn gummy.
- Prep Time: 35 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Jewish-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 245
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 310mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
Keywords: soft challah bread, buttery challah bread, homemade challah, braided bread, easy bread recipe, breakfast ideas, brunch bread, homemade bread