Hanukkah Recipes 2023: How to Make Easy Challah Bread?

What traditional foods should you prepare for Hanukkah 2023? How to make easy challah bread? 

Hanukkah Recipes 2023: How to Make Easy Challah Bread?

Do you know what the braids of the traditional Jewish challah bread that is served during Hanukkah symbolize? Three braids are for truth, peach and justice. Whereas, twelve humps from one large or two small braided breads recall the miracle of the 12 loaves for the 12 tribes of Israel. Loaves in a round shape with no begging and end are prepared for Rosh Hashanah to symbolize continuity. So, how to make this beautiful symbolic bread at home?

Ingredients:

• 2 eggs
• 500 gm/ 3 cups + 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons dried active yeast
• 50 gm/1/4 cup honey
• 30 gm/2 tablespoons olive oil
• 200 ml/84 cup lukewarm water
• 1 1/4 tsp salt

Topping:

• 1 egg, beaten with 1 teaspoon water for egg wash
• Black and white sesame seeds

Easy Challah Bread Preparation

• Begin making the bread by combining the eggs, yeast, honey, water, salt and oil in a large bowl. Whisk them together.
• Add the flour to the same mixture and combine well until a rough mass is formed. Lightly flour a surface, take the dough out and knead for about 10 to 12 minutes. The stand mixer can also be used for kneading. Knead with it at a low speed for 8 to 9 minutes. You know the dough is ready when it’s soft and smooth.
• In a lightly greased bowl, place the dough, cover it and let proof in a warm room for 1–11/2 hours or until it doubles its size.
• After, punch the proofed dough and divide it into 6 pieces of equal size.
• Roll each of the pieces into a ball. Now cover with a damp kitchen towel and leave for 5 minutes.
• Proceed by rolling out each ball into a rope, about 7″ in length. Repeat with all of the dough balls.
• Starting with the first, roll each strand to a length of 12″.
• Take 3 strands together, pinch them at the top and braid them by tucking in the ends under the braid. Reap with the remaining 3 strands.

• Place the loaves on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
• Cover them with a damp kitchen towel and place in a warm place for an hour, or until pillowy and puffy.
• Now preheat the oven to 250 °C/ 482 °F.
• Brush the loaves with egg wash and sprinkle with the sesame seeds.
• Bake them for 25 to 30 minutes at 180 °C/ 356 °F.
• Cool the bread, then slice and enjoy!

Also read: Dessert for Hanukkah 2023: Soft & Sweet Sufganiyot Recipe

and How to Prepare Classic Potato Latkes for Hanukkah 2023?