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Image showing a hand braiding a 4-strand challah loaf.

Challah Braiding

Beth Lee
Challah braiding is so much easier than you think. From a 3-strand to a 4-strand to a 6-strand braid to a knotted roll and a braided single strand, you’ll be an expert in no time. Post includes visual and written instructions.
5 from 2 votes
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
approximate rising time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Course bread
Cuisine Jewish Holiday Baking

Ingredients
  

  • favorite challah dough recipe Challah Dough Recipe
  • flour for dusting
  • seeds for decorating
  • 1 large egg + 1 teaspoon water for egg wash

Instructions
 

3-strand challah braid

  • First, connect the dough strands together at the top end. Then spread the strands apart.
    Two hands connecting three strands of challah together to start a 3-strand challah braid.
  • Like braiding hair, place the right strand over the middle, then the left over middle (or vice versa). Doesn’t matter which side you start on. As the outside strand moves over the middle, you’ll notice that you are creating a new middle!
    For aNow we see the left strand moving over the middle.
  • Just continue on down until you run out of strand and press the ends together and fold them under.
    To demonstrate challah braiding, we now see a 3-strand braid almost complete.

4-strand challah braid

  • As with the 3-strand challah braid, connect the strands together at the top.
    4 strands of challah dough connected to demonstrate a 4-strand braid technique..
  • Starting on the right or left, bring the second one UP and over the 2 strands to its left and bring the first strand OVER the strand that is now adjacent to it. If it helps, count 1,2 on each side to remind yourself which strands to use next.
    The second strand is going up and over to start the 4-strand braid.
  • Just keep repeating in your head: 2 UP, 1 OVER until you reach the end of the strands; then press the last bit of dough together and fold it under. 
    Now the first strand is being placed over the adjacent strand.

6-strand challah braid

  • As with the 3- and 4-strand challah braid, connect the strands together at the top.
    6 strands of challah dough ready to be braided.
  • Like a 4-strand, I think about only two strands at a time. As always, separate out your strands with breathing room between them all. Then starting on either side, pick up the outside strand and lay it over the two adjacent to it. As Joan taught me, this is "outside over 2".
    Demonstrating bringing the outside strand over 2 for a 6-strand challah braid.
  • Then take the strand that is next to the last strand on the other side of the challah and bring it up and over all the strands. This is what Joan and I call "next to the last to the outside". Sing these two phrases over and over again until you make it all the way down the challah.
    Demonstrating bringing the next to the last strand to the outside of all the strands in a 6-strand braid.
  • Just keep repeating in your head: "outside over 2" and "next to the last to the outside" going back and forth as you do this. When there is no more dough to work with, press the last bit of dough together and fold it under.
    Finished 6-strand challah braid with two hands adjusting it.

Knotted challah roll

  • Form a ribbon shape by folding your challah strand in half and placing the right end over the left.
    Demonstrating a challah roll knot, we see the first crossover of the strand.
  • Then grab the end that is underneath and bring it up and through the center hole.
    We can see the strand all the way through the center hole.
  • Next, take the other lonely end and connect it to the end that just went through the center. You now have a knotted challah roll.
    Now the loose end is placed underneath the dough to meet the end that was just placed through the middle.

Single strand challah braid (or knot)

  • Form a p-shape from the single strand.
    Step 1 of making a single strand challah braid showing the key formation.
  • Then grab the leg of the "p" and bring it up and into the circle of the "p", pulling it toward the left as you do.
    Step 3 of single strand challah braid showing the leg of the key going further into the circle.
  • Twist the circle of the "p" to create a smaller circle
    Step 5 of single strand challah braid showing the resulting shape of the circle formed from the twist.
  • Now grab the leg strand you previously brought up and under and pull it over to the right into that new smaller circle you just created!
    Step 6 of challah braid with a single strand showing the leg of the key being pulled towards the newly created hole on the right.
  • Finally affix the piece of the dough on the left underneath and you have a mini loaf of "braided" challah dough (kind of an elaborate knot). 
    Strand is affixed and loaf is ready for final rise.

Notes

  1. Sometimes I need a bit of flour for dusting when rolling out the strands and sometimes I don't. If the dough is still a bit sticky, use some flour. If the dough isn't sticky, you will get the best "traction" for rolling out strands on a flour-free surface.
  2. When rolling out strands, if the dough is springing back and not remaining at the length you would like, just let it rest. The gluten sometimes really does need a break. Set that piece aside for a couple minutes and come back to it. Really.
  3. Another rolling out tip - use the palms of your hands and work from the inside out. Some people like the ends of the strand to be tapered thinner. That works or just go for a relatively even thickness throughout the strand. Precision is not necessary.
Keyword challah, challah braiding
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