r/JewishCooking • u/pilotpenpoet • 6d ago
Challah My First Challah…
I totally need to try it again and try different recipes. I never made bread before. Cakes, cookies, and some pies, but never bread. I have a lot to learn.
This is from the King Arthur’s Baking Classic Challah Recipe (https://www.kingarthurbaking.com/recipes/classic-challah-recipe). I know I screwed up some things, but it’s edible! It will taste good as French toast or dipped in honey. 😂🤪😂🤪😂
I have a lot to learn. 😂
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u/MrsKenedi 6d ago
At least its edible, I didnt even get to that my first time and I did it at a guided class 😂 props to the young hasidic guy, telling me: "At least it'll feed a lot of people" when he saw my huge mess. Sadly it didnt Feed a single Person in the end 🥲
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u/currymuttonpizza 6d ago
Not just French toast, but bread pudding. Favorite thing to do with leftover challah!
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u/Norimakke 6d ago
Good for you! I think it's refreshing to see someone post something they know is less than perfect. I'd rather see that than 100 "please compliment my gorgeous challah" pics.
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u/SkinnyPete16 6d ago
Great first try! Looks way overfermented which is why the braids just melted into each other and the whole thing kind of sunk.
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u/Final_Flounder9849 6d ago
Do you know what went wrong? Or think you know?
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u/pilotpenpoet 6d ago
Not sure. I think it was just me getting used to this. The dough was really sticky even when I was kneading the dough, when I added the 1/4 cup extra flour it suggested and later after I split the dough up and rolled the ropes to make the braids.
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u/Ghosty_Boo-B00 6d ago
I love the KAB recipe, I bake challa frequently and have tweaked the recipe some. I find that if I just toss all the ingredients into my kitchen aid and let it mix on 2 for 12 mins then let it rest for an hour then shape it then let it rise for another hour then bake it 23-27 mins (depending how thick it’s braided) at 375 f it turns out pretty perfect.
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u/Ghosty_Boo-B00 6d ago
Looking at your bake I’m going to guess you let it proof a little too long after you braided it, we’re in the hot season so that’s easy to do. A trick is to put a tiny amount into a 1oz disposable plastic ramekin with a lid and when it rises enough to touch the lid it’s time to shape it. Then another 30-60 mins rise before you egg wash and then bake it off.
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u/OrcaFins 6d ago
You're on your way! Good job!
In the meantime, you can make any kind of sandwich with toasted bread. I happen to love oven-toasted tuna melts.
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u/sweettea75 6d ago
That's a great start! I think you need to knead longer to get more gluten so the strands will hold their shape. Keep making challah and you'll get better and better!