Challah

Challah from Poland. Times were inferred from the source steps.

Imported from TheMealDB. Times and card copy were filled in for this listing, not kitchen-tested.

0 people cooked this in the public kitchen yet. Kitchen-tested by I Want Some Food. Not a purchased rating.

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Measurement system
Prep
10 min
Cook
2 hr 5 min
Total
2 hr 55 min
Difficulty
Easy
Spice
No chilli
Cost
Weeknight budget$8–16 USD · indicative, not a store price
Source photograph of Challah. Not official I Want Some Food pixel artwork.

About

Challah is listed as side from Poland. The steps below are the imported TheMealDB method, not an editorial rewrite. Times shown were read from those steps.

Ingredients

Scaling multiplies the written quantities. Baking still prefers a scale.

Steps

  1. Step 1

    Combine the yeast, a pinch of the sugar and a couple tablespoons of lukewarm water in a small bowl. Stir to dissolve the yeast, then leave for 10 mins until foamy.

    10 min
  2. Step 2

    Meanwhile, combine the flour, the remaining sugar and 2 tsp fine salt in a large bowl. Make a well in the centre, then add half the beaten egg, the yeast mixture and the oil. Pour in 200ml lukewarm water (it should feel slightly warm to the touch) and stir with a spoon, then mix using one hand, keeping the other clean while you bring the dough together. If there are a lot of very dry bits, gradually add a little water to just bring it together – you don't want it to get too wet and sticky. The dough should be moist, but not soggy.

  3. Step 3

    Once the dough has come together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead using both hands for 10 mins until smooth and a bit springy. If it gets very sticky, add a very small amount of flour – as little as possible. A dough scraper is useful if the dough is sticking to the work surface. Stretch the sides of the dough down and pull together to form a ball. Lightly oil a bowl, then lightly roll the dough ball around the bowl so it's coated in the oil. Cover with a clean tea towel and leave in a warm place for 1 hr, or until dough has doubled in size.

    70 min
  4. Step 4

    Line a baking sheet with baking parchment. Turn the dough out onto a clean work surface and divide into three equal pieces, weighing for accuracy, if you like. Roll each piece into a long sausage shape about 25cm long, tapering them slightly at both ends. Lay the pieces out in front of you, parallel to one another with a couple centimetres between each. Bring the sausages together at the top end, then plait them down the length, tucking in the ends when you reach the bottom. Carefully transfer the loaf to the prepared baking sheet and loosely cover with a clean tea towel. Leave to rise until puffy and billowy, about 40 mins.

    40 min
  5. Step 5

    Meanwhile, heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Gently brush the rest of the beaten egg all over the challah, getting it into all the crevices, and sprinkle with the poppy or sesame seeds, if using. Bake on a middle shelf of the oven for 25-30 mins, until the loaf is golden brown underneath and sounds hollow when tapped. Check after about 15 mins – if the top of the loaf has started to get too dark, cover it with foil. Leave to cool on a wire rack, then serve.

    45 min

Adapt this recipe

The canonical recipe stays intact. Personal versions are labelled. Serving changes are maths, not AI.

Adaptations · 0 / 15 used. Resets 24 August.

Substitutions

  • flour (a gluten-free blend (not plain rice flour alone for bread)) a gluten-free blend (not plain rice flour alone for bread)

    Coatings and roux can swap. Yeast breads need a blend designed for gluten-free baking.

  • egg (silken tofu or skip (depends on the dish)) silken tofu or skip (depends on the dish)

    Carbonara without egg is not carbonara. Fried rice can skip the egg. We will not pretend otherwise.

Tips

  • Times on this listing were inferred from the imported method, not kitchen-tested.

History & culture

Editorial cultural notes have not been written for this imported dish.

Editorial history has not been written for this imported dish.

Inspired by

Provenance: Imported. Initial recipe data sourced from TheMealDB and adapted/reviewed by I Want Some Food. Times on this listing were inferred from the imported method, not kitchen-tested.

Questions about this recipe

Answers taken from this dish's times, amounts, swaps and tips — not a chatbot.

How long does Challah take?

2 hr 55 min all in — 10 min prep, 2 hr 5 min cook, 40 min rest. That is the time on this recipe, not a guess.

How many does it serve?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Scale the ingredient list on the page if you are cooking for a different number.

How hard is it?

Easy.

How spicy is it?

No chilli.

What allergens should I watch?

This recipe is labelled for Wheat, Eggs. Labels are informational — check the packets in your kitchen. This is not medical advice.

Does it fit a diet?

The published recipe is labelled Vegetarian, Dairy-free, Nut-free.

What does it cost to cook?

Weeknight budget — about $8–16 USD, as a grocery budget for this recipe, not a restaurant price.

What equipment do I need?

Oven, Baking tray, Mixing bowl, Rolling pin.

How much salt do I put in?

This recipe does not list a salt amount. We will not invent one.

How much sugar?

70 g of Sugar.

What can I use instead?

flour (a gluten-free blend (not plain rice flour alone for bread)) → a gluten-free blend (not plain rice flour alone for bread). Coatings and roux can swap. Yeast breads need a blend designed for gluten-free baking. egg (silken tofu or skip (depends on the dish)) → silken tofu or skip (depends on the dish). Carbonara without egg is not carbonara. Fried rice can skip the egg. We will not pretend otherwise.

Any tips from this recipe?

Times on this listing were inferred from the imported method, not kitchen-tested.

Can I use an air fryer?

This method is not written for an air fryer. The core technique on the page still applies.

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