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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Recipe Information
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)
Instructions
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.
In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the flour and salt.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Braid the three ropes together to form a loaf. Pinch the ends together to seal them and tuck them underneath the loaf.
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.
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
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.
Sprinkle the top of the bread generously with sesame seeds.
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.
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
Calories |
360 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 10.8 g | 14% | |
| Saturated Fat | 1.9 g | 10% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 5.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 69 mg | 23% | |
| Sodium | 266 mg | 12% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 56.4 g | 21% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.3 g | 8% | |
| Total Sugars | 8.3 g | ||
| Protein | 9.3 g | 19% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.3 mcg | 2% | |
| Calcium | 20 mg | 2% | |
| Iron | 2.8 mg | 16% | |
| Potassium | 104 mg | 2% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
