The Ultimate Gingerbread Challah Bread: A Festive & Flavorful Holiday Tradition

This Gingerbread Challah Bread masterfully blends beloved holiday flavors into one stunning, beautifully swirled loaf. The quintessential gingerbread spices infuse the heavenly swirl, while the fluffy, homemade challah base promises a melt-in-your-mouth experience. ‘Tis truly the season for delightful baking and joyous indulgence!

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Nielsen-Massey Vanillas! As always, all opinions and the recipe are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that support Cake ‘n Knife!

Prepare to be amazed, because this challah stands out as one of the finest breads I have ever had the pleasure of baking, or even tasting. It’s a truly exceptional creation that brings together the best of two worlds.

While that might seem like a bold opening statement, I assure you, this bread is nothing short of spectacular. Each bite delivers a harmonious blend of textures and flavors. It’s incredibly light and fluffy, with a rich, buttery undertone that forms the perfect canvas for the festive spices. The classic notes of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and allspice—reminiscent of your favorite gingerbread cookies—create a mesmerizing swirl and a flavor profile you simply must experience to fully appreciate.

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Embracing Traditions: The Inspiration Behind This Festive Challah

Growing up in a household with both Jewish and Catholic traditions meant my childhood holidays were wonderfully diverse and always filled with joy. From the vibrant lights and candles to the sheer abundance of delicious food and, yes, the excitement of presents, every holiday was a celebration. It was a golden era for a child, truly a treasure trove of experiences, even before fully grasping the deeper significance of these cherished traditions.

Among the many wonderful culinary traditions, challah quickly became one of my absolute favorites from my Jewish heritage. While we rarely embarked on the ambitious task of making it from scratch, its presence was a constant source of comfort and delight. The challah’s distinctive light, slightly sweet, and buttery flavor is something I recall with vivid fondness, always approaching it with a hearty appetite – a testament to my lifelong addiction to delicious bread!

Lately, I’ve found immense satisfaction in creating more dishes from scratch, and this challah is a direct result of that passion. The thought of baking challah might seem a little daunting at first, given its beautiful braided appearance, but I promise you, it’s far more approachable than you might imagine. While it does require a bit of patience for the dough to rise through a couple of stages, the effort invested is undeniably worth every single moment, culminating in an extraordinary homemade loaf.

The Magic of the Swirl: Gingerbread Meets Challah

Just take a moment to admire that gorgeous swirl! It’s not just visually stunning; it’s bursting with incredible, bold flavors that define the holiday season. This irresistible swirl is elevated by one of my new favorite ingredients to work with: Nielsen-Massey’s Tahitian Pure Vanilla Extract.

The flavor profile of this particular pure vanilla extract is truly exquisite. Crafted from carefully hand-selected beans cultivated in the rich volcanic soil of Tahiti, it’s an ideal addition to any baking project on your holiday list. Its unique blend of floral and fruity notes beautifully complements and deepens the warm, aromatic spices in the gingerbread swirl, transforming it into a truly indulgent and unforgettable treat. What makes it truly exceptional is its delicate balance; it enhances the existing flavors without ever overpowering the delightful essence of the challah itself.

Tips for Baking Perfect Gingerbread Challah at Home

Crafting homemade challah, especially with a festive gingerbread swirl, can be a deeply rewarding experience. Here are a few tips to ensure your loaf turns out perfectly:

• Yeast Activation: Always ensure your active dry yeast is fresh and properly activated. Warm water (around 105-115°F or 40-46°C) is crucial for this. If your yeast doesn’t become foamy after 5-10 minutes, it might be inactive, and it’s best to start with a new batch.
• Kneading is Key: Challah dough benefits greatly from thorough kneading. This develops the gluten, resulting in that signature fluffy, elastic texture. Whether by hand or with a stand mixer, aim for a dough that is smooth, pliable, and springs back when gently poked.
• Patience with Rising: Don’t rush the rising process. The two rises specified in the recipe are essential for developing flavor and achieving the airy texture of challah. A warm, draft-free spot is ideal for rising; some bakers even use a slightly warmed oven (turned off!) to help the dough along.
• Mastering the Braid: While a three-strand braid is classic, don’t be intimidated. The trick is to keep the strands even in thickness before you start braiding and to maintain consistent tension as you work. Starting the braid in the middle and working outwards in both directions helps create a beautifully symmetrical loaf. There are many online tutorials if you need a visual guide!
• The Egg Wash: A good egg wash before baking is vital for that characteristic golden, shiny crust. Beaten egg, sometimes with a touch of water or milk, not only adds color but also helps create a slight crispness on the exterior.
• Don’t Overbake: Keep an eye on your challah. It should be golden brown and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom. Overbaking can lead to a dry loaf, so remove it from the oven once it reaches perfection.

Have a baker in your life you want to shop for? Here’s my baking favorites gift guide!

You might recall a special promotion I ran recently, the “12 Days of Jolly Giveaways.” While the main giveaway period has concluded, I wanted to highlight the amazing opportunity it presented. To celebrate this incredible Gingerbread Challah Bread, I had partnered with Nielsen-Massey for a significant giveaway aimed at all the flavor fanatics out there. During the event, I showcased various festive recipes:

Day One – Red Wine Slow Cooker Short Rib Ragu

Day Two – Gingerbread Challah Bread

As part of this exciting event, Nielsen-Massey Vanillas generously offered one fortunate reader an absolutely spectacular array of their premium products! This was truly the perfect package for anyone looking to elevate their holiday baking or eager to explore new flavor extracts in both sweet and savory holiday dishes. Here’s a glimpse of the fantastic prize package that was given away:

• 2 oz Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract
• 4 oz Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Bean Paste
• 7.5 oz Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Sugar
• 2 oz Pure Almond Extract
• 2 oz Pure Peppermint Extract
• 2 oz Pure Lemon Extract
• 2 oz Pure Orange Extract
• 2 oz Pure Chocolate Extract
• 2 oz Pure Coffee Extract
• 2 oz Orange Blossom Water
• 2 oz Rose Water

While the opportunity to enter this specific giveaway is now closed, I encourage you to explore these fantastic Nielsen-Massey products to infuse your own baking with unparalleled flavor.

This Recipe’s Must Haves

To achieve the best results with this Gingerbread Challah Bread, here are some essential tools and ingredients that will elevate your baking experience:

• Nielsen-Massey Vanillas Tahitian Pure Vanilla Extract: Indispensable for imparting the purest, most exquisite flavor to your gingerbread filling. Its unique floral notes perfectly complement the warm spices.
• Sur La Table Marble Pastry Board and Fox Run Marble Rolling Pin and Base: These tools are invaluable for maintaining a cool dough and achieving a perfectly rolled-out rectangle, essential for that beautiful swirl.
• Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls: Durable and easy to clean, a good set of mixing bowls is fundamental for any baking project.
• Copper Measuring Spoons: Not only are they adorable, but accurate measuring spoons are crucial for getting your spice blend just right.

Don’t forget to pin this delightful Gingerbread Challah Bread recipe for your future holiday baking!

Gingerbread Challah Bread

Experience the heartwarming flavors and aromatic spices of gingerbread reimagined in a comforting challah loaf – my absolute favorite homemade bread. While its intricate appearance might suggest a complex process, this recipe is surprisingly easy to create, making it a perfect, festive addition to your holiday table!

Prep Time: 20 minutes mins

Cook Time: 30 minutes mins

Additional Time: 2 hours hrs

Total Time: 2 hours hrs 50 minutes mins

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ingredients

• DOUGH
• 3 1/2 cups flour
• 2 eggs
• 2 1/2 tsp active dry yeast
• 3 1/2 Tbsp honey
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 2/3 cup warm water
• FILLING
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp ground nutmeg
• 2 tsp ground allspice
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 2 tsp Nielsen-Massey Tahitian Pure Vanilla Extract
• 2/3 cup brown sugar
• Pinch of salt
• 1 egg lightly beaten

instructions

• Add flour to a clean, flat work surface. Make a well in the center of the flour. Add eggs, yeast, honey, olive oil, salt, and half the warm water to the well in the middle of the flour. Gently begin to mix together the dough. As the dough comes together, make another well in the center and add the remaining warm water.
• Continue to mix the dough until it forms a ball. Knead dough on a clean work surface for 5 to 7 minutes. Cover with a linen cloth and let rise for 1 hour.
• In a small bowl, whisk together filling ingredients vegetable oil, cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground allspice, ground ginger, Nielsen-Massey Tahitian Vanilla Extract, brown sugar and salt. Set aside.
• Once the dough has risen, divide dough into thirds. Roll out each third of dough into a long thin rectangle. Spread one third of the filling on top of each piece of dough.
• After the filling is spread, roll up the dough into a long log. Repeat with other two pieces of dough.
• Place the logs of dough in three rows next to each other. Start the braid in the middle of the dough, alternating down one side, then repeating the braiding process with the other side.
• Cover with a linen cloth and let rise for 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• Brush the top and sides of the challah loaf with beaten egg. Place loaf on a baking sheet lined with a silicon mat or parchment paper.
• Bake for 30 minutes. Serve warm.

1. Enter the giveaway through the Rafflecopter widget below. Everyone gets a free entry! You can enter multiple times by following and sharing on social media. (If you’ve followed in the past, that counts! Just enter the information as prompted.) All entries will be verified. No purchase is necessary to win.
2. The giveaway is open until Tuesday, December 5th at 11:59 p.m. CST. One winner will be chosen at random and e-mailed within 48 hours. Winners must claim prize within 48 hours of initial contact. The retail value of the prize is approximately $140. Prizes listed above are the only ones available.
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