Challah, the traditional Jewish braided bread, is a timeless symbol of celebration, unity, and blessings. Its golden crust, soft interior, and symbolic shape make it a staple at Shabbat dinners, holidays, and special occasions. But have you ever considered adding a delightful twist to this classic bread? Get ready to elevate your baking game with our mouthwatering recipe for Heavenly Cinnamon Raisin Challah!
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Need some dips for your bread? Try my Tahini Sauce, Mock Chopped Liver, and Egg Salad.
Ingredients Overview:
*The full recipe is in the recipe card below!
Before you start baking using this Raisin and Cinnamon Challah Recipe, measure and prepare your ingredients so the cooking process will go smoothly and easily.
All-purpose flour: I use all-purpose flour, but you could use bread flour or a combination of bread and all-purpose. Remember that bread flour has a higher protein content and will give your bread more structure. I strongly recommend sifting the flour; it will result in a more delicate dough with a more significant volume.
Water: It’s best to use water between 100°F and 110°F (38°C- 43°C); it helps to activate the yeast. If you don’t have a thermometer, don’t overthink the water temperature. You want the water warm. Not hot. Not cold. Not freezing. Just warm. The proportion of water in bread dough corresponds to how hydrated, or wet, it is.
Yeast (active dry yeast ): Active dry yeast needs to be bloomed in liquid before being used to make dough. However, it is not necessary to bloom newly purchased yeast. Instead, they can be added directly to the dry ingredients.
It is not necessary to bloom newly purchased yeast. Instead, they can be added directly to the dry ingredients.
Oil: Canola, vegetable, or Avocado oil can also work here.
I Don’t Have a Mixer. Can I Knead Challah by Hand?
Absolutely!
There is no reason not to make Challah because you don’t have a mixer. Kneading by hand will yield wonderful results; it will just take a little more time. The advantage of using a mixer is saving (human) energy and multitasking while the mixer works. For making Challah, we will be using the hook attachment.
Pro Tips
Weigh all your ingredients and get everything in order so you can follow the recipe exactly.
Mixing the dough: Scrap the sides of the bowl occasionally with a rubber spatula to ensure all ingredients are incorporated.
How much water to add?
Water: Because each flour is different, stored differently, and has different absorption capacities, the amount of liquid will almost always change. Even if you always use the same flour, it may be that the flour will absorb more liquid on different days. So, start with half a cup of water and add as needed gradually. The dough should be very soft but not sticky. Dough lacking in liquid will be stiffer and less comfortable to work with.
The first rise: About an hour and a half or until the dough doubles. But that figure can also change radically, especially if it’s particularly cold weather, which will then require a few hours for the dough to increase in size. In summer, it can be much shorter.
Shaping: It is essential to braid the loaf slightly loosely so the dough can rise.
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Cinnamon Raisin Challah
Description
Equipment
- Rolling pin optional
Ingredients
For the Challah
- 3 1/2 cups (500g) all-purpose flour+ a little more for dusting I strongly recommend sifting the flour; it will result in a more delicate dough with a more significant volume.
- 2 Tablespoons (20g) granulated sugar
- 1 Tablespoon (10g) active dry yeast
- 1/4 cup (60ml) canola oil + a little more for greasing
- About 1 1/4 cups (300ml) lukewarm water
- 1/2 Teaspoon salt
For the filling:
- 1 oz (30g) raisins (about 2 tablespoons)
For the topping:
- 1 any size egg
- 1 Tablespoon (10g) light brown sugar
- 1/4 Teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
The Challah:
- In the bowl of a standing mixer, put flour, sugar, and yeast (or in a large mixing bowl if kneading by hand) and mix/stir for one minute.
- Let the mixer work while slowly adding the oil.
- Gradually add water (**read my tip about water below) and mix to form the dough.
- Add the salt and knead for 10-15 minutes (It helps the gluten form and the dough to be elastic with better structure).
- Grease the dough with a little bit of oil, cover with a kitchen towel and let the dough rise until doubled (place the bowl somewhere warm).
- Once the dough is doubled in size- it's time to shape it!
Shaping the dough:
- Divide the dough into three equal portions.
- Take one of the portions and roll it out with a rolling pin until it is flat, about 1/4 inch (1/2 cm) thick.
- Sprinkle a bit of raisin down the center of each piece, then fold the dough over and roll it into about 15-inch rope, pinch the ends tightly. Repeat with the remaining dough pieces.
- Gather the ropes and squeeze them together at the very top. Braid the ropes together like braiding hair and squeeze the ends together when complete.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place the Challah on it.
- Place the pan somewhere warm, cover with a towel, and let it rise until puffed, about an hour.
- Heat the oven to 400°F/200°C. When ready to bake, whisk the egg with a tablespoon of water and brush it all over the Challah.
- Sprinkle sugar and cinnamon.
- Slide the Challah on its baking sheet into the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes. The Challah is done when it is a rich golden brown and registers 190°F/90°C in the very middle with an instant-read thermometer.
- Let the Challah cool on a cooling rack. Enjoy!
3 comments
Great Recipe
Sorry for your lost
Shabbat Shalom