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Home » Recipes » Shabbat

Bread Machine Challah Recipe

May 14, 2023 by Caryn 7 Comments

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This is our staple Bread Machine Challah Recipe. It's the one we go to almost every Shabbat and Yom Tov because it is so easy and you can't argue with the results. The Challah bread comes out fluffy, hot, and delicious every time.

bread machine challah feature
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  • Ingredients
  • How to make the Best Bread Machine Challah Recipe
  • Recipe FAQ
  • Topping Suggestions
  • How to store
  • More recipes like this one
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  • Recipe Categories
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In our house, we know Shabbat is coming when we smell the Challah baking in the oven. No other food says Shabbat dinner quite like that first bite of warm fluffy Challah bread. This is one of our bread machine recipes that is so easy to make right at home. You will wonder why you tried it before.

At home, we call this recipe "Miracle Challah" because our close family friend, Brad, was always amazed that the challah was consistently perfect, soft, sweet, and and delicious week after week.

Ingredients

ingredients in challah

This is an egg bread recipe that uses super simple ingredients which give it a fresh delicious flavor. All of the ingredients go right into the bread machine and it does the work for you. This recipe is kosher, dairy free, and pareve. All you need to make a delicious Challah for Shabbat is:

  • Flour - the base of the recipe. We used white flour for this recipe but you can also use whole wheat.
  • Yeast - active dry yeast is the leavening agent that is used to make the dough rise.
  • Sugar - a little bit is used to activate the yeast and the rest is used to sweeten the dough.
  • Eggs - make the Challah fluffy.
  • Oil - binds the ingredients together.
  • Salt - aids the baking process.
  • Water

How to make the Best Bread Machine Challah Recipe

Step 1 - Activate the yeast

Activate the yeast with 1 tablespoon of sugar and 1 ½ cups of warm water. If you are unsure if the yeast is ready, check out our Yeast Activation Video.

Step 2 - Add the oil, sugar, and eggs

Step 3 - Add flour and salt

Step 4 - Knead the dough and let it rest

Set the bread machine to the dough setting which is # 8 for the bread maker we like. After the kneading step is complete, let the dough sit for 30 minutes to rise. When it is ready for the next step it should look like this:

Step 5 - Braid

Braid and brush the tops of the challah with an egg yolk egg wash. You can make this wash by scrambling one egg in a bowl with 1 teaspoon of cold water.

prepare for braiding

Step 6 - Bake

Place the braided dough into a baking pan or on to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake at 350ºF for 30 minutes or until the tops are golden brown. Allow to cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing in and enjoying.

This is all it takes to make Challah in a bread maker.

Recipe FAQ

What makes challah bread different?

Challah bread is unique in that it is used as a starter to almost all Jewish festival meals. Challah bread is usually made with eggs and tends to be a little bit sweet. This is not true of all challah recipes but that is a debate for a different time and place.

Which flour is best for challah?

I have made this recipe with all-purpose flour, and with high gluten bread flour and a combination of the two. It comes out fantastic whichever way you choose.

How do I make my challah fluffy

The eggs the ingredient that will make the challah fluffy. Also, baking the challah if the dough has not risen can make it dense. If the dough seems dense after taking out of the bread machine you can put a damp towel over it and let it rise on the counter for an hour or so. This should also yield a fluffier challah.bread machine challah pin

Why do you burn a piece of challah?

This custom has to do with separating out a one ounce portion of dough from batches that use 5 pounds of flour or more (there are different customs as to this amount). This portion was then given to the kohanim (priestly class). Technically, the one ounce part that is separated is out is called challah in Hebrew and that is where this bread gets its name. These days the challah portion cannot be consumed and so it must be burned. The details of these laws are very complex and oukosher.org has a short review of some of the more common customs.

What is the blessing before separating challah?

You will not always need to say this blessing if you have not met the right conditions (see above answer to the question about burning a piece of challah) but when you do the blessing should be said before the separation. The text of the blessing can be found by clicking here.

Topping Suggestions

This recipe post describes the basic process for making Challah but we always have fun with different toppings. These can be added on top of the dough after the egg wash and right before baking:

  • Poppy seeds
  • Sesame seeds
  • Cinnamon sugar blend
  • Garlic salt
  • Italian seasoning
  • Kosher salt

How to store

This is a recipe for fresh bread and it doesn't last long. If (and I stress if) you have leftover Challah you can put it into an airtight plastic bag and seal tight. It should last 2-3 days on the counter.

You can also make these Challahs in advance and freeze them for later. We always make a lot of Challahs right before Yom Tov and freeze them. Then we can pull them out of the freezer when we need them. Thaw for one hour and then warm them in an oven a 200ºF for 10-15 minutes before serving

More recipes like this one

  • Water Challah
  • Braided Challah
  • Challah Bread Pudding
  • Challah French Toast

📖 Recipe

bread machine challah feature

Bread Machine Challah Recipe

The best challah. Every time.
5 from 9 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Bread
Cuisine: Jewish, Kosher
Keyword: Light and fluffy, shabbat, Sweet, yom tov
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes
1 hour hour 30 minutes minutes
Total Time: 2 hours hours 5 minutes minutes
Servings: 2 loaves
Calories: 1899kcal

Equipment

  • bread machine

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon yeast
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 ½ cups warm water
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 2 egg
  • ⅓ cup oil
  • 5 ½ cups bread flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Egg wash

  • 1 egg for egg wash
  • 1 teaspoon cold water for egg wash
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Instructions

  • In the bowl of the bread machine place yeast, 1 tablespoon sugar, and warm water. Allow yeast to proof 5 minutes.
  • Add ½ cup sugar, eggs, oil, flour, and salt on top.
  • Put into bread machine and set to dough setting.
  • When entire dough cycle is done (approx 1 ½ hours) i like to leave dough to rise up to 30 more minutes until dough has risen to the top of the lid.
  • Remove dough from container and split into two.
  • Split the first ball into 3 (or more) strands and braid. Place braided loaf into greased pan.
  • Repeat with second dough ball.
  • Brush tops with egg wash and sprinkle with desired topping, if using.
  • Heat oven to 350ºF. Allow challah to rise while waiting for oven to heat.
  • Bake challah for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown.
  • Allow challah to cool for 5-10 minutes then remove from pan allow loaves to cool on cooling rack.

Egg Wash

  • Scramble together one egg and one teaspoon of water. Brush onto dough before baking.

Notes

All purpose flour and bread flour both work very well in this recipe.
Challah can be left plain or topped with your favorite topping. Or do what we call "the shalom bayis" half Everything But the Bagel spice and half plain on a single loaf. 
Always add the ingredients to the bread machine in the the exact order described above. This insures that all of the ingredients mix together in the right order.
Make sure that your yeast is live. Properly proofed yeast can make or break your bread (pun intended). Watch our cooking tips video on yeast proofing to see an example of what live yeast looks like.
 

Nutrition

Calories: 1899kcal | Carbohydrates: 320g | Protein: 45g | Fat: 47g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 246mg | Sodium: 1265mg | Potassium: 479mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 57g | Vitamin A: 356IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 90mg | Iron: 17mg

Recipe Categories

Bread Recipes, Rosh Hashanah Recipes, Shabbat Recipes, Shavuot Recipes, The Best Hanukkah Recipes, The Best Purim Recipes

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Comments

    5 from 9 votes (5 ratings without comment)

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Zaydie says

    June 09, 2023 at 12:45 am

    5 stars
    There is nothing better than this challah. I could eat it everyday. Yay Kosher challah is the best.

    Reply
  2. SHAWN DAVIS says

    March 30, 2024 at 12:17 pm

    5 stars
    AMAZING!!!

    Reply
    • Ben says

      March 31, 2024 at 11:30 am

      Thank you for the review and comment!

      Reply
      • janger says

        May 03, 2024 at 3:30 pm

        5 stars
        good morning all and happy Shabbos . could you please add "how to braid"
        love all your recipes

        Reply
        • Ben says

          May 05, 2024 at 11:12 pm

          Thanks for the positive feedback. We are working on a braiding video.

          Reply
  3. Barb L says

    March 07, 2025 at 7:29 pm

    5 stars
    Wow! Outstanding results in my bread machine. Followed the recipe exactly including adding the yeast and sugar first. Two beautiful challahs for Sabbath.

    Reply
    • Ben says

      March 09, 2025 at 5:26 pm

      Thank you for the review.

      Reply

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