Shaindels Shenanigans

  • Home
  • About me
  • Blog Shenanigans
    • Motherhood Shenanigans
    • Jewish Life Shenanigans
    • Food and Health Shenanigans
      • Recipes
    • Style and Business Shenanigans
  • When I’m Bored
    • Stylish Shenanigans – LLR
    • Shining Shenanigans – O2
    • Shop
      • LuLaRoe Customer Registration
      • Shop Origami Owl
  • Contact Shaindel

The Best Whole Wheat Challa

September 20, 2018 By Shaindel Siev 1 Comment

That time of year has rolled around.  With holidays week after week in the month of Tishrei (Sept/October – you can read about how the dates work here) LOTS of cooking happens.  Each meal traditionally starts with a blessing on wine, followed by blessing on the special Challa bread.  With each holiday requiring 4 meals – that’s a good lot of food and I always find myself making lots of Challa. With out fail each time I post pictures of my Challa I get asked – Can I have the recipe? Of Course! I love sharing recipes.  I originally got this recipe from a cousin but I tweaked it slightly to make it in the Best Whole Wheat Challa!

Whole Wheat Challa

They say you live and learn every day.  Traditionally in the month of Tishrei instead of braiding the Challa, we shape it into a round shape.  When I began writing this article I wanted hard facts and sources as to why we do round for the whole month and every single source I came across said the actual only time its traditional to shape round Challos is for Rosh Hashana (Jewish New Year).  The rest of the month there is no source or reason.  I decided to delve into it further and ask some respected people.  I posted in a couple groups and forums and the response I got across the board was “because its easier!” I mean I TOTALLY get this, the month of Tishrei finds us cooking A LOT of meals, and with each one starting with bread that a lot of baking – I’m all for shortcuts and making my life easier!

So – back to the reason for why we shape round Challos for Rosh Hashana? Rosh Hashanah is the day of G-d’s coronation, when He is crowned as King over us and the entire world. Thus, it is appropriate to make round Challos which resemble a crown.

There some other reasons tossed around such as – round resembling the world and Rosh Hashana was when the creation of the world was completed. Round is wholesomeness – no beginning and no end, as a symbol for a wholesome year, – though for none of these could I find an accurate source.

Now that we’ve covered all that lets get to the goods!

Print Recipe
The Best Whole Wheat Challa
Challa
Course Bread
Keyword Challa
Prep Time 15 min
Cook Time 35 min
Passive Time 1-2 hours
Servings
Loaves
Ingredients
Yeast Mixture
  • 1/3 Cup Hot Water
  • 2/3 Cup Cold Water
  • 5 TBSP Dry Yeast
  • 1 TBSP Sugar
Dough
  • 3 Cups Cold Water
  • 1 1/2 Cups Sugar
  • 2 TBSP Salt
  • 3/4 Cup Oil
  • 5 Eggs Beaten
  • 5 LB Whole Wheat I prefer White Whole Wheat or a Whole Wheat blend,
Egg Wash and Topping
  • 1 Egg Beaten
  • 1 TBSP Cold Water
  • 2 TBSP Trader Joe's Everything Bagel Seasoning Optional
Course Bread
Keyword Challa
Prep Time 15 min
Cook Time 35 min
Passive Time 1-2 hours
Servings
Loaves
Ingredients
Yeast Mixture
  • 1/3 Cup Hot Water
  • 2/3 Cup Cold Water
  • 5 TBSP Dry Yeast
  • 1 TBSP Sugar
Dough
  • 3 Cups Cold Water
  • 1 1/2 Cups Sugar
  • 2 TBSP Salt
  • 3/4 Cup Oil
  • 5 Eggs Beaten
  • 5 LB Whole Wheat I prefer White Whole Wheat or a Whole Wheat blend,
Egg Wash and Topping
  • 1 Egg Beaten
  • 1 TBSP Cold Water
  • 2 TBSP Trader Joe's Everything Bagel Seasoning Optional
Challa
Instructions
Yeast Mixture
  1. Place all ingredients in a bowl and allow to activate - about 5-10 minutes.
Dough
  1. Place water, sugar, oil, beaten eggs in a bowl and mix.
  2. Add yeast mixture and mix.
  3. Add a small amount of flour and place the salt on top of the flour - it is important the salt and yeast mix do not come into direct contact as the salt will counteract the yeast.
  4. Add the rest of the flour in 2/3 parts mixing in between.
  5. Mix until just incorporated and no flour shows. With white flour dough they typically need kneading to soften the dough. With whole wheat the more you knead the tougher it gets - so make sure to mix just until a nice dough forms.
  6. Set aside in a warm place and cover with a clean kitchen towel. Allow to raise for 1-2 hours. Punching down once if needed.
  7. Remove from bowl and divide into 8 equal parts. Braid as desired.
  8. Place in individual baking tins. Set aside just for as long as it takes the oven to pre-heat to 350. With this recipe, I find if you allow it to raise too much in the pans the dough dries out.
Egg Wash
  1. Mix Egg with water and beat - brush over Challos.
  2. Sprinkle Everything Bagel Seasoning
  3. Bake at 350 for about 30-35 minutes.

In the month of Tishrei I love using some alternate Challa toppings. Check them out here.

Happy Baking and Enjoy!

Filed Under: Recipes, Food and Health Shenanigans, Health and Recipes, Jewish Life Shenanigans, Kosher Tagged With: Challa, Jewish Life, Rosh Hashana, Shabbat

Comments

  1. Batsheva says

    October 3, 2018 at 3:01 pm

    Hi Shaindel, just wanted to let you know I tried your recipe on hoshana Rabbah and the challah was perfect!
    Thanks!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Search This Site

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

My Latest Recipes:

Crispy Latkes
Crispy Latkes
Quick and Easy Shawarma
Quick And Easy Shawarma
Overnight Roast
Overnight Oven Cooked Roast
Blueberry Streusel Bundt Cake
Blueberry Streusel Bundt Cake
Whole Wheat Challa
The Best Whole Wheat Challa

Check out what’s happening on Instagram!

Check out my Latest Shenanigans

What’s For Supper?

Please Don’t Cold Message Me

LuLaRoe Maurine Dress

2019 Word Of The Year

2018 Reflections And Introspection

Helpful Resources:

Direct Sales Tips
Please Don’t Cold Message Me
LuLaRoe Maurine Dress
LuLaRoe Maurine Dress
2019 Word of the year
2019 Word Of The Year
2018 Reflections and Introspection
2018 Reflections And Introspection
Chanuka Candle Musings
Chanuka Candle Musings

Copyright © 2023 · Simply Pro On Genesis Framework · Installed by SassySuiteLLC #empowersocial

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT