Traditionally served on Shabbat or other Jewish celebrations, this three-strand braided challah is easy to make and great for beginners. Master this braiding technique and you'll be making challah like a pro in no time!
Jump to:
- Why these instructions work
- Recipe Ingredients
- How to make the challah ropes
- How to braid a three-strand challah
- Rest and bake the challah
- How to make an easy round challah
- Storage instructions
- Troubleshooting challah that lost its shape after baking
- There are many ways to shape challah
- Questions asked and answered
- More shaped bread recipes to try
- Recipe
- Comments
Why these instructions work
- Clear step-by-step instructions and photos show exactly where each strand goes, so you don't lose your place mid-braid for both straight and round challahs
- Written patterns you can repeat (not memorized diagrams) make the technique easy to master
- A video demonstration lets you see the motion in real time before you start
Whether it's straight, round, squared off, or in a wreath, bread comes in a variety of shapes.
Most types of bread aren't associated with a specific shape, but challah bread, a Jewish egg-enriched bread, definitely is one of those. Braided, either straight or round, that's the shape of challah. It's instantly recognizable.
Round challah is traditionally served for Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year). Straight challahs are served at many Jewish celebrations, from the weekly Shabbat (Sabbath) meal to weddings and Bar/Bat Mitzvahs. And of course, it's great for making french toast!
This egg bread can be braided with three-strands, four-strands, six-strands, or even eight-strands. The three-strand braid for a straight challah is easy to master, and there's even a quick way to turn it into a round challah!
Practice with patience and soon you'll master the patterns for shaping challah dough. You'll impress your family and friends, and you'll have the satisfaction you plaited like a pro with a challah bread worthy of a bakery.
Happy braiding!
Recipe Ingredients
You'll need the following ingredients to make a challah recipe:
Ingredient Notes
As with most bread recipes, you need the basic bread ingredients: flour, water, yeast, and salt.
Eggs: The main difference between a basic bread dough and challah is that challah dough is enriched with eggs, like with a brioche recipe.
Canola oil: Oil is used instead of softened or melted butter to keep the bread dairy-free. That's especially important if you're keeping Kosher and want to serve the challah with a meal featuring meat. Jewish dietary laws forbid the mixing of milk and meat products at the same time.
Sugar: Challah is usually sweetened with sugar or honey for better flavor.
Mix-ins: These can be a fun way to add another flavor component to your challah. Some common mix-ins are raisins and chocolate chips, but you can experiment with other options like nuts, seeds, or chopped dried fruit.
Toppings: Sesame seeds and poppy seeds are common, and cinnamon sugar (1 teaspoon cinnamon mixed with 1 tablespoon granulated sugar) is a fun alternative. You can also go savory with spice mixes like za'atar. Get creative or leave it plain, your choice.
Here's the best homemade challah recipe, hands down. And as the dough rises, let's discuss how to braid it using a basic 3-strand braid.
How to make the challah ropes
Rolling out your blob of dough into ropes after the first rise is perhaps the most arduous part of the process, especially if you're braiding larger numbers of strands. Here are some tips to make the process a little easier:
- Divide the dough evenly by weight for uniform strands: Portion out the number of pieces you'll need for your braid, cutting it with a bench scraper or knife. For the best accuracy, weigh the total amount of your dough using a kitchen scale and divide that number by the number of strands you need. Then portion the pieces to that weight.
- Shape each portion into a ball, then roll into a short oval: As you go, roll each portion into a ball, then flatten and roll it up into an oval (about the size of a small potato).
- Rest the dough for 20 minutes to relax the gluten: Keep the balls covered with plastic wrap (to keep from drying out) and let them rest. This rest will help the gluten to relax so the final rope won't be as inclined to shrink back as you roll it out.
- Roll from the center outward, tapering the ends: Starting in the middle of the oval, start to roll and stretch the dough using both hands cupped over the rope. As the rope gets to your desired length, press down on the ends to taper them to a point.
The length of each strand will depend on the number of portions you have. Keep in mind that the thinner the strand, the longer (and thinner) the braided challah will be. Keeping the strands thicker will result in a shorter (and thicker) challah.
How to braid a three-strand challah
Three-strand braids are the easiest to master. It's just like braiding hair.
Step 1
You'll need 3 equal pieces of dough. Lay all the ropes side by side on a lightly floured surface and pinch them together at the top (photo 1).
Step 2
Take the left strand and have it jump over the middle strand. It's now the middle strand (photo 2).
Step 3
Take the right strand and have it jump over the middle strand. It's now the middle strand (photo 3).
Step 4
Continue the pattern, alternating between the left and right strands, until all the dough is braided. Tuck the ends of the loaf underneath on both ends to give a neat finish. Adjust the braid ends and sides with your hands to make everything even (photo 4).
Rest and bake the challah
Continuing with the challah recipe, line a half sheet baking pan with a Silpat silicone mat or parchment paper. Transfer the shaped dough to the baking pan, then cover with greased plastic wrap. Let the shaped dough rise for 45 minutes in a warm place.
Brush the dough with an egg beaten with 1 tablespoon of water, then sprinkle on any desired toppings. Bake at 350˚F for 25 to 35 minutes, rotating the pan front to back halfway through the baking time.
When the loaf is golden brown and it sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom (or reads 190°F on a digital thermometer), remove it from the oven and cool on a wire rack.
How to make an easy round challah
While most of the time challahs are oblong, you can find round challahs for the celebration of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year (usually in September or October, based on the Jewish lunar calendar). To make an easy round challah, just make a three-strand braid as you normally would, then coil it up into a spiral (photo 5).
Tuck the ends underneath, let rest, then brush with an egg wash and bake as normal. The baking time will be extended by about 5 to 10 minutes (photo 6).
Storage instructions
Challah will last for several days on the counter in an airtight container. For longer term storage, freeze the loaf, well wrapped in plastic wrap and placed in an airtight container, for up to 4 to 6 months.
Troubleshooting challah that lost its shape after baking
You might find that your challah didn't hold it's shape when it has come out of the oven. There could be a few reasons for that:
- Under-tensioned strands: If the dough has been given enough time to proof during the first rise, then the rolled out strands won't have enough tension in them to hold their shape.
- Fix: Make sure the dough has doubled in size and pops back up when lightly pressed with a finger.
- Over-proofing after shaping: If you let the shaped challah rest for too long, the gluten network can become over-stretched and won't be able to maintain it's structure during baking.
- Fix: Allow the shaped loaf to rest for about 30 to 45 minutes while you pre-heat your oven.
- Too much egg wash pooling between strands: As fun as it is to paint on the egg wash, don't overdo it.
- Fix: Use a light hand. You don't want so much that it fills the crevices that you worked so hard to form while braiding.
There are many ways to shape challah
A braided challah, all shiny and golden brown, is a work of art as well as a delicious bread. Slice it neatly, or use the bumps from the braids to tear off a piece!
You can shape your challahs lots of ways. For more braiding inspiration, check out the instructions for braiding challahs with 4-strands (straight or round), 6-strands (straight or flat), or 8-strands (straight or round). Have a go!
Questions asked and answered
Here are some questions you might have...
Used for Shabbat (the Jewish Sabbath), Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year), or for special occasions, challah's special shape holds traditional meanings.
The internet abounds with websites explaining the many different reasons why braiding challah as an oblong shape is used on the Sabbath and other special occasions.
Those reasons vary based on how observant the individual is. Some sites go deep into Jewish law (having to do with the rituals of the ancient temple). Others look to a more biblical meaning (representing manna from heaven). Still others go for a more secular meaning (creating a shaped bread that can be distinguished from ordinary bread, thus making it safe to eat for the Shabbat meal).
In addition, the round challah used on Rosh Hashanah symbolizes the circular nature of time itself (one year ends, another starts), but even that simple explanation has deeper meanings for people.
It's hard to write how to pronounce the word challah. The beginning sound doesn't exist in English. The "ch" is the anglicized version for the Hebrew letter "chet" which represents the sound you make when you're trying to clear your throat, not the sound starting "cheese." That's why you'll see the Jewish December holiday of Hanukkah sometimes spelled "Chanukkah."
Sure! This braiding method is good for any well-kneaded and rested challah dough. The dough's hydration (which affects how dry the dough feels after resting) will affect how the dough will respond to braiding, not the patterning itself.
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I hope you like this recipe! Let me know if you have any questions, and don't forget to leave a comment and rating. Thanks!
Slainté! L'chaim! Cheers!
- Tammy
More shaped bread recipes to try
Recipe
Three Strand Braided Challah
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 recipe homemade challah dough
- 1 large egg, plus 1 tablespoon water, for egg wash
- toppings, optional, see Recipe Notes
Instructions
- Portion out 3 equal pieces, cutting it with a bench scraper or knife (for the best accuracy, weigh the dough with a kitchen scale). Shape each piece into a long rope. Lay all the ropes side by side on a lightly floured surface and pinch them together at the top.
- Take the left strand and have it jump over the middle strand. It's now the middle strand.
- Take the right strand and have it jump over the middle strand. It's now the middle strand.
- Continue the pattern, alternating between the left and right strands, until all the dough is braided. Tuck the ends of the loaf underneath on both ends to give a neat finish. Adjust the braid ends and sides with your hands to make everything even.
- Line a half sheet baking pan with a Silpat silicone mat or parchment paper. Transfer the shaped dough to the baking pan, then cover with greased plastic wrap.
- Let the shaped dough rise for 45 minutes in a warm place. Preheat the oven to 350 °F.
- For the egg wash, whisk together the beaten egg with the water. Brush the dough with the egg wash, then sprinkle on any desired toppings.
- Bake the dough for 25 to 35 minutes, rotating the pan front to back halfway through the baking time. When the loaf is golden brown and it sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom (or reads 190 °F on a digital thermometer), remove it from the oven and cool on a wire rack.
- Storage instructions: Challah will last for several days on the counter in an airtight container. For longer term storage, freeze the loaf, well wrapped in plastic wrap and placed in an airtight container, for up to 4 to 6 months.
Cathy Lichtman says
Thanks for posting a clear 6 strand braid. When away from home I need to find one online. The videos are too fast and this one goes to the end. Usually they stop mid-braid but don’t say where to go back to. With a toddler in the background, I need clearing. One question though, why do you keep repeating the challah recipe? That’s a bit annoying
Tammy Spencer says
Hi Cathy, I'm glad you found my challah braiding instructions useful. To your question, the challah dough is listed in each set of instructions in order for search engines to classify them as recipes. It's a technicality I know, and it's not meant to be annoying. Thanks for the question.