Cinnamon Challah Recipe Perfect for Sweet Homemade Bread

There’s something truly magical about the aroma of freshly baked cinnamon challah wafting through your kitchen. This traditional Jewish bread, known for its soft, pillowy texture and beautiful braided look, takes on a whole new level of deliciousness when infused with warm cinnamon and sweet swirls.

Whether you’re making it for a special holiday, a cozy weekend breakfast, or simply to enjoy with your family, this cinnamon challah recipe combines classic technique with a comforting flavor twist that everyone will adore.

In this blog post, I’ll guide you through every step to create your own stunning cinnamon challah loaf. From mixing the dough to braiding and baking, you’ll discover how easy it is to bring this delightful bread to life.

Plus, I’ll share tips on perfecting texture, ideas to customize your loaf, and serving suggestions to savor every bite.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This cinnamon challah recipe is a perfect blend of tradition and indulgence. The bread is soft, slightly sweet, and packed with cinnamon flavor that’s cozy without being overpowering.

Because it’s homemade, you can customize the sweetness, add nuts or raisins, or keep it simple and elegant.

Challah’s slightly chewy crumb and golden crust make it an ideal bread for French toast or sandwiches. Plus, it’s made with simple pantry staples, making it accessible for bakers of all levels.

Whether you’re new to challah or a seasoned pro, this recipe delivers consistently delicious results that will impress your friends and family.

Ingredients

• 4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
• 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 cup warm water (about 110°F/43°C)
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil or canola oil
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 egg (for egg wash)
• Optional: 1/2 cup raisins or chopped nuts

Equipment

• Large mixing bowl
• Stand mixer with dough hook attachment (optional but helpful)
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• Clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap
• Baking sheet lined with parchment paper
• Pastry brush
• Cooling rack

Instructions

1. Activate the yeast: In your large bowl, combine the warm water, yeast, and 1 tablespoon of sugar. Stir gently and let sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy. This proves the yeast is active.
2. Mix wet ingredients: Whisk together the eggs, oil, and vanilla extract in a separate bowl. Once the yeast mixture is foamy, add these wet ingredients to the bowl.
3. Combine dry ingredients: In another bowl, sift together the flour, remaining sugar, salt, and ground cinnamon.
4. Make the dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring with a wooden spoon or using a stand mixer with a dough hook. Knead until the dough forms a smooth, elastic ball—about 8-10 minutes by hand or 5-6 minutes in a mixer.
5. First rise: Lightly oil a clean bowl and place the dough inside, turning once to coat with oil. Cover with a kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
6. Prepare the cinnamon swirl: Mix the brown sugar and a teaspoon of cinnamon in a small bowl. Set aside.
7. Shape the dough: Punch down the risen dough and transfer it to a lightly floured surface. Roll it into a rectangle about 12×16 inches. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture evenly over the surface. If using, sprinkle raisins or nuts at this stage.
8. Roll and slice: Starting at the long edge, roll the dough tightly like a jelly roll. Using a sharp knife, cut the roll into three equal strands lengthwise.
9. Braid the challah: Braid the three strands together, pinching the ends to seal. Tuck the ends underneath and place the braid on the prepared baking sheet.
10. Second rise: Cover the loaf loosely with a towel and let rise for another 30-45 minutes until puffy.
11. Egg wash and bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Beat the remaining egg and brush it generously over the challah for a shiny, golden crust. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until the loaf sounds hollow when tapped and is deep golden brown.
12. Cool and enjoy: Remove from oven and transfer to a cooling rack. Let cool completely before slicing to prevent crumbling.

Tips & Variations

“For the fluffiest challah, don’t rush the rising times. Patience is key to a light, airy crumb.”

• Make it vegan: Substitute eggs with flax eggs (1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water per egg) and use a plant-based milk for the wash.
• Add texture: Mix chopped walnuts or pecans into the cinnamon sugar layer for a delightful crunch.
• Sweeten it up: Drizzle a simple glaze made with powdered sugar and milk after baking for an extra touch of sweetness.
• Spice it differently: Experiment with cardamom or nutmeg along with cinnamon for a unique flavor twist.
• Freezing tips: Challah freezes well. Slice and freeze after cooling; toast slices straight from the freezer for a fresh taste anytime.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Suggestions

This cinnamon challah is incredibly versatile. Serve it warm with a pat of butter or cream cheese for breakfast.

It also makes an outstanding base for French toast, topped with fresh berries and maple syrup.

For a savory twist, pair slices with cheese and smoked salmon or use it to make a rich bread pudding. Leftovers can be transformed into delicious croutons for salads or soups.

Looking for more delicious bread and baked goods? Check out our Best Vegan Cheese Scone Recipe for Fluffy, Tasty Bakes or try the Best Vegan Latte Recipe for Creamy, Delicious Mornings to complement your challah perfectly.

Conclusion

Baking your own cinnamon challah is a rewarding experience that fills your home with warmth and delightful scents. The combination of soft, braided bread with the cozy cinnamon swirl creates a treat that’s perfect for special occasions or everyday enjoyment.

This recipe’s straightforward steps and accessible ingredients make it ideal for bakers of any skill level.

Whether you enjoy it fresh from the oven or repurpose leftovers into creative dishes, cinnamon challah offers endless possibilities. Don’t hesitate to experiment with variations and share your delicious results with loved ones.

For more tasty recipes, you might also enjoy our Backpacking Dehydrated Vegan Meal Recipes for Easy Camping and Chinese Vegetarian Nasi Lemak Recipe Made Easy and Delicious. Happy baking!

{“@context”: “https://schema.org/”, “@type”: “Recipe”, “name”: “Cinnamon Challah Recipe”, “image”: [], “author”: {“@type”: “Organization”, “name”: “GluttonLv”}, “description”: “A sweet and fragrant cinnamon-infused challah bread perfect for breakfast or dessert. This recipe yields a soft, braided loaf with a delicious cinnamon swirl inside.”, “prepTime”: “PT30M”, “cookTime”: “PT35M”, “totalTime”: “PT65M”, “recipeYield”: “1 loaf (8 servings)”, “recipeIngredient”: [“4 cups all-purpose flour”, “1/4 cup granulated sugar”, “1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast”, “1 cup warm water (110\u00b0F/43\u00b0C)”, “2 large eggs”, “1/4 cup vegetable oil”, “1 tsp salt”, “1/2 cup brown sugar”, “2 tbsp ground cinnamon”, “1 tbsp melted butter (for brushing)”, “1 egg (for egg wash)”], “recipeInstructions”: [{“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “In a bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water and let sit for 5 minutes.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Mix flour, sugar, and salt in a large bowl.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Add eggs and oil to yeast mixture, then combine with dry ingredients.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Knead dough for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Let dough rise in a greased bowl for 1 hour or until doubled.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Roll dough into a rectangle and sprinkle with cinnamon and brown sugar.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Roll up the dough tightly and cut into three equal strands.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Braid the strands and place on a baking sheet.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Let dough rise for another 30 minutes.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Brush loaf with egg wash and bake at 350\u00b0F (175\u00b0C) for 30-35 minutes.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Brush with melted butter when out of the oven and cool before slicing.”}], “nutrition”: {“calories”: “280”, “proteinContent”: “6g”, “fatContent”: “7g”, “carbohydrateContent”: “45g”}}