Baking · serves 2

Challah

Plaited from six strands. Maple and milk brushed on for the shine.

150 min A proper cook Vegetarian

Ingredients

  • 300ml lukewarm water
  • 7g dried yeast
  • 480g plain flour
  • 75g sugar
  • 60ml sunflower oil
  • 2 tsp salt
  • Glaze: 1 1/2 tsp maple syrup, 1 1/2 tsp milk

Method

  1. Bloom the yeast in the water, 5 minutes.
  2. Half the flour, the sugar, oil and salt mixed in.
  3. Remaining flour added 120g at a time, mixing well, until a shaggy dough pulls into a ball.
  4. Knead 5-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
  5. Oiled bowl, covered, proved 1 1/2 to 2 hours until at least doubled.
  6. Divide into six, roll into long strands, and plait from the middle outwards to both ends. It sits straighter that way.
  7. Prove 45 minutes, then brush with the maple and milk glaze.
  8. 180°C for 30-35 minutes until deep golden.

Questions people ask about Challah

How long does Challah take?

About 150 minutes from starting to sitting down, and it is a proper cook. A good part of that is unattended, so you can get on with something else once it is going.

What can I use instead of maida in Challah?

Use plain atta for a denser, nuttier result, or a 50/50 mix if you want to keep some lift.

Can I make Challah ahead of time?

You can prepare it a few hours ahead and reheat gently. It keeps two days in the fridge, though it is best on the day.

Is Challah vegetarian?

Yes, it is vegetarian. It is not vegan as written because it contains dairy; swap the dairy for a plant alternative and the rest of the method is unchanged.

Do I need an oven for Challah?

Yes, this one needs an oven. If you do not have one, look at the no-oven filter on the baking page: eleven of the bakes here are built for a cooker, a pan or the fridge.

What do you serve with Challah?

On its own, warm, with tea or coffee. Baking is chemistry, so scale it by weight rather than by eye: double every quantity, use a tin with roughly double the area, and expect to add ten minutes or so. Judge it by the skewer, not the clock.

Don't know what to cook? Let it decide →

If you liked this

Cheese Garlic Buns
140 min · Some work
Focaccia
150 min · Easy
Dinner Rolls
150 min · Some work
Cinnamon Rolls
150 min · A proper cook
Russian Black Bread
150 min · A proper cook
Two-Minute Mug Cake
5 min · Easy