Sesame Seed Challah Egyptian Holiday Bread
Celebrate the flavors of tradition with this Sesame Seed Challah, an Egyptian-inspired holiday bread that’s perfect for festive gatherings and special occasions. This beautifully braided loaf combines honey's subtle sweetness, sesame seeds' nutty crunch, and a perfectly tender crumb to create a showstopping centerpiece for your table. Made with simple pantry staples like all-purpose flour, eggs, and vegetable oil, this enriched dough is kneaded to perfection and braided into an elegant loaf. Brushed with a glossy egg wash and generously sprinkled with sesame seeds, it bakes to a golden-brown finish that’s as stunning as it is delicious. Serve this challah fresh with butter, or pair it with flavorful dips for an unforgettable meal. With its impressive presentation and universally loved flavor, this challah is an irresistible addition to your holiday traditions.
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Ingredients
- 1 cup warm water
- 2.5 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 3 tablespoons sesame seeds
- 1 egg yolk (for egg wash)
- 1 tablespoon water (for egg wash)
Directions
Step 1
In a small bowl, combine the warm water, active dry yeast, and 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar. Stir gently and let sit for 5-10 minutes until frothy.
Step 2
In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the flour and salt.
Step 3
In another bowl, whisk together the vegetable oil, eggs, and honey until smooth. Add this mixture to the dry ingredients along with the frothy yeast mixture.
Step 4
Knead the dough until it becomes smooth and elastic, about 8-10 minutes by hand or 5-6 minutes with a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook.
Step 5
Form the dough into a ball and place it in a greased bowl, turning the dough to coat it lightly with oil. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let the dough rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours, or until it doubles in size.
Step 6
Once the dough has risen, punch it down and transfer it to a lightly floured surface. Divide the dough into three equal pieces and roll each piece into a long rope, about 12 inches in length.
Step 7
Braid the three ropes together to form a loaf. Pinch the ends together to seal them and tuck them underneath the loaf.
Step 8
Place the braided loaf on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover it loosely with a kitchen towel and let it rise again for 30 minutes.
Step 9
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
Step 10
In a small bowl, whisk together the egg yolk and 1 tablespoon of water to make the egg wash. Brush the egg wash evenly over the surface of the braided loaf.
Step 11
Sprinkle the top of the bread generously with sesame seeds.
Step 12
Bake the bread in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until it is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
Step 13
Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack before serving. Enjoy your Sesame Seed Challah fresh with butter or as part of a festive meal.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (1021.7g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 2806.8 |
| Total Fat 86.7g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 15.0g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 39.8g | |
| Cholesterol 556mg | 0% |
| Sodium 2534.6mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 439.2g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 17.4g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 65.4g | |
| Protein 72.6g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 98IU | 0% |
| Calcium 163.1mg | 0% |
| Iron 26.9mg | 0% |
| Potassium 953.1mg | 0% |
Source of Calories