Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, is just a few weeks away. It’s traditional to dip apples in honey, to symbolize our desire for a sweet year ahead. In my desire to be efficient and practical, I thought it would be a brilliant idea to bake my honey and apples right into the challah. I have been hard at work the past two weeks, figuring out just how to achieve that.
My starting point was my favourite challah dough. On Rosh Hashanah, challah is round, a circle without an end, to symbolize our wish for a year in which life and blessings continue without end. I was inspired by cloudykitchen’s Mixed Nut and Dulce de Leche Brioche Knot. Her clever twisting method was perfect for Rosh Hashanah.
After baking 5 versions of apple and honey challah, I believe I have nailed it. My husband, my chiropractor and my UPS man were happy to eat my experiments. None were a total fail, but there were a few issues along the way. The first hurdle to overcome was how to add the apples. Raw apples leached too much moisture into the challah, and made for a soggy bread. Sauteeing them first, solved that problem.
The apple flavour was kind of muted in the finished bread. In order to amp up the apple volume, I spread the dough with a thin layer of apple butter. Apple butter is simply very concentrated applesauce. There is actually no butter in it, only apples. It’s tangy and really packs a wallop of flavour. Some brown sugar, cinnamon and golden raisins provided a perfect counterpoint for all that zingy apple flavour.
Check out my video to see how it all came together.
Any leftover bread makes amazing toast the next morning. It’s a perfect way to segue gently from summer into fall. I’m not quite ready for pumpkin, but I will happily embrace apples in any form.
So beautiful. Will have to try it for sure. You have a lucky UPS man !!
Thanks Brigitte. You’re a great bread baker. You’ll have no problem with this one. It looks more complicated than it actually is.
Your exquisite video kept me enthralled!
What a gorgeous challah! Delectable!
I loved watching as you created it! I’m hooked!
Aunty Susie 🥰
Thanks Auntie Susie. You always leave me the sweetest comments!
Apple & Honey Challah sounds delicious, and that twist looks beautiful!
Thanks Kiki!!It was so much fun to make and very addictive to eat once baked.
Amazing! Your video makes it look so easy! I may have to give it a try if time allows!
I will be making 6 more for the holidays!!
Looks delish! What is your dough recipe?
Hi Beth. If you scroll to the bottom of the post, there is a link to click that will take you to the recipe. Let me know if you have any trouble accessing it.
Hi. I made this challah twist for Rosh Hashanah and it is beautiful. Thank you for sharing,
Thanks Shelley. Paula showed me the photo on Facebook. It was gorgeous. Shana Tova to you and your family!!