Perfect Honey Challah Recipe for Rosh Hashanah

This article presents a recipe for a perfect round honey challah, ideal for the Rosh Hashanah holiday. The challah is described as soft, sweet, festive, and easy to prepare, even for novice bakers. The recipe incorporates honey directly into the dough for sweetness and uses a honey glaze for a shiny, moist finish.

The ingredients for one large challah include 500 grams of white flour, 10 grams of dry yeast, 80 grams of honey, one large egg, 45 ml of oil, 180 ml of lukewarm water, and a teaspoon of salt. For the glaze, one beaten egg is used for brushing, and 2-3 tablespoons of honey mixed with a teaspoon of hot water are used for the final coating.

The preparation involves mixing the dough ingredients in a mixer for about 10 minutes until soft and elastic, then adding salt and mixing for another minute or two. The dough is left to rise for approximately 1 to 1.5 hours until doubled in size. It is then divided into four equal parts, rolled into long strips, braided into a challah, shaped into a circle, and left for a second rise of about 45 minutes.

The challah is baked in a preheated oven at 170 degrees Celsius (338°F) for 25-35 minutes until golden brown. While still hot, it is brushed with the honey-water glaze. The article notes that a slightly sticky dough is desirable for a fluffy challah and advises against adding too much extra flour. The challah is presented as a delicious way to connect with Rosh Hashanah traditions, where sweet foods like apples and honey are eaten to symbolize a sweet new year.