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4.91 from 20 votes

Brown Sugar Cinnamon Swirl Challah

Brown sugar cinnamon swirl challah is a combination of cinnamon bun meets challah and is perfect made into French toast!
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Proofing1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time2 hours 10 minutes
Course: Brunch, Snack
Cuisine: Jewish
Keyword: brown sugar challah, cinnamon challah
Servings: 16 servings
Calories: 181kcal
Cost: $10

Ingredients

Filling

Instructions

  • In the bowl of a stand mixer, add 1 cup warm water, yeast and sugar. Mix lightly with a fork to get all the yeast in the water and set aside for about 15 minutes. It should begin to foam up and you should see little bubbles.
  • Next, add eggs, oil and honey and whisk together.
  • Using a dough attachment on your mixer, gradually add sifted flour and salt, about ½ cup at a time with the mixer on low. Continue to mix until everything is incorporated. The dough should begin to pull away from the bowl and come to 1 large ball of dough.
  • Turn the dough onto a very well floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes. You can use your finger to see if it's ready. Press your finger in and if the dough bounces back quickly, it's ready.
  • In a large bowl, pour a bit of oil in and place your dough ball in the bowl. Turn it around so the entire dough is covered with a thin layer of oil. Cover with a clean towel and place bowl in a warm spot. (for me, it was my oven). Allow to rest and rise for 1 ½hours until doubled in size.
  • When dough is ready, it should have doubled in size. Punch the dough down and knead a bit to soften. Divide dough into 2 balls, this will be your challahs. Cover 1 ball of dough as you work with the other.
  • Divide the ball into 4 equal strands and roll each strand into a long snake, about 15 inches long. The use a rolling pin to flatten out the strand about 1-2 inches thick.
  • Next, stir the vanilla into the melted butter and use a pastry brush to brush melted butter all over your strand. Then sprinkle brown sugar and cinnamon generously, gently pressing the cinnamon and sugar into the dough. Then, twist the strand so it looks like a a spiral and continue with the rest. (It's ok if it's not perfect).
  • If doing a round challah, take your 4 strands and lay them in a cross. 2 vertical and 2 horizontal, having the strands go over and under each other.
  • Then take every other strand and place it over the one next to it, making a weave pattern. It doesn't have to be perfect. Tuck the ends underneath.
  • Place on cookie sheet and allow to rise for another 30 minutes.
  • When ready, place in pre-heated 350 degree F oven and bake for about 30 minute or until the top is golden brown. Check a few minutes before and if the top is cooking too fast, cover with foil.
  • When done, remove from oven and allow to cool slightly before cutting the bread.

Notes

Yields 2 challot

Nutrition

Calories: 181kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 28mg | Sodium: 325mg | Potassium: 60mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 265IU | Vitamin C: 0.4mg | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 2mg