Hanukkah Star Challah

Name: Hanukkah Star Challah
Prep time: 1 h
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 1 h 35 min
Yield: 12 servings
Cuisine: Israeli, Jewish
Ingredients: 1 tsp Active Dry Yeast; 3.67 cups Bread Flour; 2 whole Eggs; 1.25 tsp Salt; 3 tbsp Sugar; 1 tbsp Toasted Sesame Seeds; 1 cup Water

Breakfast 🍳Side Dish 🥗Snack 🍿 Israeli 🇮🇱Jewish 🇮🇱 Low-Sodium Vegetarian 🥦Halal 🕌Kosher ✡️Pescatarian 🐟

This festive challah forms a six-pointed Star of David with a tender, slightly sweet crumb and a golden sesame-studded sheen. Soft inside and pleasantly rich from eggs, it makes a striking centerpiece for Hanukkah gatherings and pairs beautifully with savory spreads or sweet honey.

Prep1 hr
Cook35 mins
Serves12
DifficultyMedium

1

Place 1 cup of water, eggs, salt, sugar, bread flour, and yeast into the bread machine pan in the order the manufacturer recommends. Choose the Dough setting and start the machine.
2

When the cycle is finished, take the dough out of the machine and set it on a floured work surface to rest for 15 minutes. Cover the dough with a towel or a large bowl to keep it from drying out.
3

Knead the dough a few times, then divide it into 6 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a rope about 10 inches long and 1 inch thick.
4

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Lay 3 ropes on the prepared baking sheet and pinch the ends together firmly to make a pointed triangle. Weave the remaining 3 ropes over and under each point of the first triangle to form a second, interlaced triangle, then pinch the edges closed tightly to create a 6-pointed star. Place the baking sheet in a warm spot and let rise until doubled, 30 to 45 minutes.
5

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Whisk the egg yolk with 1 tablespoon of water, brush it over the loaf, and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
6

Bake in the preheated oven until the challah is shiny, golden brown, and sounds hollow when tapped, about 35 minutes.