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This recipe has salt. Let's get that out of the way immediately. But it doesn't have tons of it. It has 1 Tbsp for a 5 lb bag of bread flour. If you were to buy Challah from your local bakery, or from the supermarket, I can assure it would have much more than that. One ounce of a Beigel's has 105 mg of sodium. Who is eating only one ounce of challah?
Most packaged bread is high in sodium. Really, the only way to get around that is to make your own Challah. It can feel scary if you have never done it before, but once you get into the habit of making your own, you will never go back. Aside from the draw of much lower sodium, it tastes much better, and last but not least, it costs a lot less.
A Zomick's Egg Challah from Gourmet Glatt Costs $4.29. A two pack of Beigel's from Costco cost $7.09 from Instacart. (In the store, it is cheaper.) A medium Egg Challah from Shlomy's Bakery in Seasons will run you $4.49. Zaidy's is even more - a plain pull apart challah is $5.99. Keep in mind, these prices are for a single Challah. Now check out our calculations below for what it costs if you were to make it yourself.
That's right -- $1.10 for a single challah, with lower sodium and better taste. You will never buy challah again.
The only caveat to the above, is that I definitely recommend purchasing a bread machine of some sort. Although it is expensive, I do suggest the Bosch Universal Plus Stand Mixer. I only say this after having gone through multiple bread machines, and also trying to use my Kitchen Aid. All of the bread machines i have had broke. They couldn't handle 5 lbs of flour. When I tried to use my Kitchen Aid my kitchen looked like a snowstorm -- literally flour everywhere. I spent more time cleaning up flour that actually making Challah.
My husband felt sorry for me and bought me the Bosch for my birthday. It was actually life changing. It is heavy, and does take up space, so definitely give that some thought before buying it. The one real pro with the Bosch is that it can also be a replacement for your other mixer. It is not just used to make bread. Also, note -- it is not a bread machine -- it will not actually bake your bread. It will just knead it for you. But that's enough for me!
Either way, I promise you that once you start making your own Challah, you won't be buying Challah again any time in the near future.
Challah
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Ingredients
- 4 ½ Cups Warm Water
- 1 Tsp Sugar
- 3 Tbsp Dry Yeast
- 5 lbs High Gluten Flour
- 2 Cups Sugar
- ½ Cup Oil
- 3 Eggs
- 1 Tbsp Salt
Crumb Topping
- ⅓ Cup Sugar
- ⅓ Cup Flour
- 2 Tbsp Canola Oil
Instructions
- Combine warm water, 1 Tsp of sugar and yeast in large Bosch mixing bowl. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until yeast proofs (water and yeast bubble up)
- Add 6 cups flour, sugar, oil, eggs, and salt. Mix on medium-high for 6-8 minutes.
- Add remaining flour from the bag. Mix on Low for another 6-8 minutes.
- Let dough rest for 15 minutes.
- Mix for two additional minutes on low.
- Add 2 Tbsp. oil. and mix for an additional 30 seconds.
- Spray inside of a large kitchen garbage bag with Pam or other cooking spray.
- Place dough inside greased garbage bag. Let rise for 45 minutes to one hour.
- Shape Challah. Let rise for an additional 30 minutes.
- If desired, place assorted toppings on Challah.
- Place in 350° over for 30 minutes.