Apple Honey Challah Bread for Rosh Hashanah

 

As Rosh Hashanah approaches next month, it’s the perfect time to start planning the festive meals that will bring your family and friends together. One of the holiday’s most beloved traditions is enjoying challah bread dipped in honey, symbolizing hopes for a sweet new year. At JCHC’s Lester Senior Living, our talented culinary team has crafted a special recipe that elevates this tradition: Apple Honey Challah. Whether you’re an experienced baker or new to the kitchen, this recipe is sure to impress your guests with its delightful blend of flavors.

Ingredients for Apple Honey Challah

Bread

• 2 1/4 teaspoons (1 standard 1/4-ounce packet) active dry yeast
• 1/3 cup plus 1 teaspoon honey
• 1/3 cup olive oil, plus more for the bowl
• 2 large eggs plus 1 large yolk
• 1 1/2 teaspoons Kosher salt
• 4 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for your work surface

Apple filling

• 2 medium baking apples, peeled, cored and in 1/2- to 3/4-inch chunks
• Squeeze of lemon juice, to keep them from browning

Egg wash

• 1 large egg
• Coarse or pearl sugar for sprinkling (optional)

How to Make Apple Honey Challah Bread

Prepare the Yeast Mixture

• In a small bowl, whisk together 1 teaspoon of honey and the yeast.
• Add 2/3 cup of warm water to the mixture.
• Let it stand for a few minutes until it becomes foamy.

Mix the Dough

• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, combine the foamy yeast mixture, oil, remaining 1/3 cup of honey, eggs, and egg yolk. Whisk until well blended.
• Switch the mixer to the dough hook attachment.
• Gradually add 4 1/4 cups of flour and the specified amount of salt to the mixture.
• Knead the dough on moderate speed until all the flour and wet ingredients form a rough, jagged mass.
• Lower the mixer speed and continue kneading with the dough hook for an additional 5 minutes, until the dough becomes smooth, stretchy, and slightly sticky.

First Rise

• Transfer the dough to a large bowl lightly coated with oil.
• Cover the bowl with plastic wrap.
• Allow the dough to rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it has nearly doubled in size.

Incorporate the Apples

• Turn the risen dough out onto a floured countertop.
• Gently press the dough into a flat, oval shape.
• Spread 2/3 of the apple chunks evenly over half of the flattened dough.
• Fold the other half of the dough over the apples and press down around the chunks to distribute them evenly, creating a lumpy texture.
• Spread the remaining 1/3 of the apple chunks over half of the folded dough.
• Fold the dough over the apples once more and press down to embed the remaining chunks.
• Shape the dough into a roughly square shape by folding the corners under with your hands.
• Form the dough into a round shape.
• Invert an empty bowl over the shaped dough and set aside to rise for another 30 minutes.

Shape the Challah

• Divide the dough into four equal pieces.
• Roll each piece into a rope approximately 12 inches long, handling gently to prevent any apple chunks from falling out.
• If any apple chunks escape during shaping or rising, press them back into the dough with your finger.

Weave the Challah

• Arrange two ropes in each direction, perpendicular to each other, forming a plus sign.
• Weave the ropes by alternating them over and under at each intersection. This should create a braided appearance.
• Take the four legs that emerge from underneath the center and weave them over the adjacent ropes to tidy the braid.
• If the ropes have extra length, continue weaving left and right until the desired length is achieved.
• Tuck any loose corners or bumps under the dough using the sides of your hands to maintain a round shape.

Second Rise and Egg Wash

• Transfer the braided dough to a parchment-covered heavy baking sheet or a baker’s peel if using a bread stone.
• In a small bowl, beat an egg until smooth.
• Brush the egg wash over the challah.
• Allow the challah to rise for another hour.
• Approximately 45 minutes into this rise, preheat your oven to 375°F.

Bake the Challah

• Before baking, brush the loaf again with the egg wash and sprinkle with coarse sugar, if desired.
• Place the challah in the center of the preheated oven and bake for 40 to 45 minutes.
• The loaf should be beautifully bronzed. If it starts to darken too quickly, cover it loosely with foil for the remaining baking time.
• To ensure the bread is fully baked, use an instant-read thermometer; the center should reach 195°F.
• Once baked, transfer the loaf to a cooling rack and let it cool completely before serving to your Rosh Hashanah guests!

Savor Traditional Jewish Cuisine and More at Lester Senior Living

At Lester Senior Living, residents have the delightful option to dine in our spacious dining room for breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day. Whether they follow a Jewish diet or simply wish to explore cultural favorites, they can enjoy dishes like challah bread, matzo ball soup, tzimmes, and much more. Our dining services team is attentive to dietary needs and preferences, ensuring that all meals can be tailored to meet individual requirements.

If you’d like to learn more about our dining options or explore Jewish senior living in Morris County, NJ, reach out to our team at Lester Senior Living. You can also visit the JCHC website to discover what assisted living and independent living look like in our New Jersey communities: https://jchcorp.org/

Original Source: https://jchcorp.org/apple-honey-challah-bread-for-rosh-hashanah/