Chocolate Cherry Challah
If you've never made challah at home before, this is the one to make. It has the traditional flavors of challah with the added mild sweetness of cherry and chocolate. It's surprisingly easy to make and tastes amazing!
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Servings: 1 loaf
Calories: 266kcal
Ingredients
- 1 cup hot water 110-115 degrees
- 1 tablespoon yeast
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 3 eggs divided
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup oil
- 4 cups flour
- 1 cup dried cherries
- 3/4 cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- In your stand mixer bowl, add the water, yeast, salt, 2 eggs, honey, and oil. Stir on low speed using your dough hook, then move up to 3 and mix for one to two minutes to ensure that the wet ingredients are fully incorporated together. Add half the flour and mix on low speed until incorporated. Add the rest of the flour and stir on low until combined then turn it up to 4 or 5 and let the dough work for five minutes. It will still be sticky and wet, much more so than a sandwich bread dough.1 cup hot water, 1 tablespoon yeast, 2 teaspoons salt, 3 eggs, 1/4 cup honey, 1/4 cup oil, 4 cups flour
- Remove the dough from your bowl and lightly oil it with more oil - you shouldn't need more than a teaspoon. Return the dough to the bowl and cover with a damp kitchen towel. Let rise in a warm spot for one to one and a half hours when it has doubled in size.
- Once the dough has risen the first time, turn it out onto a floured surface and flatten it to about an inch thick. Spread the chocolate and cherries atop the dough, then fold the dough over and knead for a minute or so until the cherries and chocolate are distributed throughout the dough. Divide the dough into three equal pieces. Let it rest for five minutes so the gluten strands have a bit of time to relax, which will make forming the braid stands easier.1 cup dried cherries, 3/4 cup chocolate chips
- Once the dough has rested, roll each section into a rope about an inch in diameter. Some of the chocolate or cherries may fall out of the dough. Don't worry about it. Simply pick them up and push them back into the dough. Lay the three ropes of dough side by side, and pinch together the ends on one side. Proceed to braid the dough ropes together, making them a wider, thicker braid, rather than a long, skinny bread. The easiest way to do this is to have each rope go to almost 90 degrees from the main braid as you move through the strands. When you reach the end, tuck the ends under and place on a parchment covered cookie sheet. Cover the dough again with a kitchen towel and let it rise for another hour.
- Preheat your oven to Prepare your egg wash - use a fork to beat together your last egg and a tablespoon of water. Brush the egg wash over your dough. Note that you will not use anywhere near all the egg wash. Bake in your 375 degree oven for 30 minutes, until it's golden brown and sounds hollow when you tap it. Let it cool for a half hour before you slice it to ensure it stays fresh and moist. If you can wait.
Notes
- When the weather is nicer and it's cherry season, you could definitely make this with fresh cherries, as well. Pit the cherries and chop them before adding, knowing that the moisture from the fresh cherries will also mean you need to add more flour to the dough to ensure it isn't too wet.
- This recipe uses a stand mixer. If you don't have one and are making it by hand, be sure to whisk the wet ingredients well - ensuring the eggs are well beaten. Once you've mixed in the flour, turn it out onto a floured board and knead it for 5 to 7 minutes, then follow the remaining directions.
- For more tips and tricks, be sure to read the full article above.
Nutrition
Serving: 1slice | Calories: 266kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 37mg | Sodium: 329mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 17g
This site uses an online source to provide nutrition estimates as a courtesy. If you need exact values, please calculate yourself.