Jewish and Israeli Food

Our Favorite Classic & Unique Challah Recipes

It’s time for our challah recipe roundup! Learn how to make classic challah as well as fun flavors and shapes – including the Star of David challah that’s going viral as a way of showing Jewish unity and pride.

Every traditional shabbat meal starts with two loaves of bread following the kiddush blessing said over wine or grape juice, and for many families that means challah! This iconic Jewish braided bread has been made by many communities over the generations, with numerous recipe variations. Making homemade challah yourself is not as daunting as you may think – especially with these easy-to-follow recipes below!

And while you’re getting your challah ready for your next shabbat, don’t forget to check out our beautiful challah serving essentials from Israel to really elevate your shabbat table!

 

1. Classic Egg Challah
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We're starting off with the iconic, soft, braided challah made with eggs and oil that you're probably already familiar with, especially if you come from an Ashkenazi tradition.

 

Braiding challah dough

 

Your entire family will love beginning their shabbat or holiday meals with this delicious challah, sure to form lasting memories while giving that special taste of home!

Click here to get the recipe!

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2. Israeli-Sephardi Water Challah
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This simple yet superstar-quality challah already made a splash at our Israeli summer shabbat recipe roundup earlier this year, but we just couldn't resist featuring it again!

While many American Jews think of challah as an egg bread, the most popular type of challah in Israel is actually a mostly-eggless version hailing from the Sephardi community, with only a light egg wash on the outside but using water instead of eggs in the dough itself. For this reason it's colloquially known as "water challah."

 

Varieties of water challah being sold at Mahane Yehuda market in Jerusalem, Israel

 

This Israeli recipe for fluffy, delicious water challah will certainly be a hit at your next family gathering.

Click here to get the recipe!

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3. Cinnamon-Raisin Round Challah
Round challah bread for rosh hashanah, Jewish New Year

You may already be familiar with sweet, round challah as a High Holiday food, particularly as part of a traditional Rosh Hashanah dinner. But this unique and scrumptious recipe deserves to shine year-round!

Wow your family and guests with this fabulous challah with a sweet filling made of cinnamon, sugar, and raisins. The round, spiral shape makes it an eye-catching shabbat table centerpiece, and there's no braiding required.

Click here to get the recipe!

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4. Vegan Challah
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While challah is generally well-known for its iconic egg wash, you can also make a vegan version without sacrificing on taste or flair. This adaptation of a traditional Ashkenazi recipe from Eastern Europe instead features a sweet syrup for the outer glaze, so no one at your shabbat table will even know anything is missing.

This vegan-friendly recipe already graced our shabbat winter menu lineup, and we're sure it'll please your every guest no matter their diet!

Click here to get the recipe!

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5. Star of David Challah
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The hottest new challah is the Star of David challah!

Challahs shaped to resemble the iconic Star of David have been taking social media by storm as of late, as part of a general trend of Jews showing unity and pride in the face of rising antisemitism and the war in Israel.

And it's actually easier than it looks! Follow this recipe to make your own star-shaped challah, and you'll have the most special and unique bread to make your shabbat extra meaningful.

Click here to get the recipe!

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6. Pretzel Challah
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Challah dough is surprisingly versatile, so why not surprise your family with something new? Give this fun recipe a try, transforming the classic challah dough into soft pretzels with only a couple ingredient additions and a few extra steps.

Don't forget the salt, and then serve your pretzels with mustard, ketchup, or even dipped in tehina or sprinkled with za'atar for a little something from the Land of Israel!

Click here to get the recipe!

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7. Nutella & Roasted Hazelnut Dairy Challah
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It's time for the beloved challah to become dessert! This eccentric yet super-tasty version of the classic Jewish bread incorporates the kid-friendly condiment that Israeli parents swear by - Nutella, or any other chocolate spread of your choice - along with roasted hazelnuts, honey, and butter.

While challah purists may say that a real challah should remain dairy-free so that it's kosher to eat with meat, if you're looking to serve something sweet and challah-inspired at the end of a meatless meal, this irresistible recipe is a must-try.

Click here to get the recipe!

 

 

Get your shabbat table ready with our beautiful designer tableware and shabbat Judaica by top Israeli artists, including unbeatable challah serving essentials such as trays, covers, knives, and salt shakers!

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