Challah Bread Recipe Whole Wheat

Sourdough Whole Wheat Challah Bread feels like a wholesome but decadent treat, and is a great recipe for freshly milled whole wheat.

Once I began using freshly milled whole wheat with my mockmill, I was excited to see how it would transform a family favorite: challah bread.

The moisture of the starter, the water, oil, and honey absorb into the whole wheat flour beautifully where the flavor is intensified by the long fermentation so that it is retained during the baking process.

The Best 100% Whole Wheat Challah

In this post, learn how to make it, information about using fresh whole wheat, and why sourdough and whole wheat are a perfect combination.

For the weekly sabbath or shabbat, two loaves are baked because when the people of Israel received manna from God they received a double portion on the day before the sabbath so they could eat the second portion and rest on that day.

You would take a portion of your sourdough starter to make the starter specific to this recipe. This is often called a levain.

Sourdough Whole Wheat Challah Bread

If yours seems too dry, add a tiny bit of water and make sure you are kneading it by hand rather than mixing with a spoon.

I found it helpful to use post it notes when I was starting out to make the steps easier to follow in the written directions in order to create the right shape.

Here is a video I created a year ago sharing some of the process: challah shaping video, shaping description starts at 4:24-6:00 Also, you can see the process of the two-strand challah shaping in this video: Sourdough Whole Wheat Challah with Two Strand Braids

Spelt Challah Recipe With Honey

This variation in whole wheat flour has to do with what type of wheat it is, the growing season, the climate, and many other factors. Read all about flour here.

I especially love making challah, particularly this whole wheat version, into French Toast… if any makes it to day 2 or 3!

If you want a super easy way to make and enjoy sourdough bread, you can learn about my Once-a-Week No Knead Sourdough online course here.

Honey & Whole Wheat Apple Challah Recipe

I also have a Intro. To Sourdough online course if you are ready to gain a solid foundation for sourdough, the traditional way, to learn all the basics, language, techniques, and the process from start to finish to make sourdough bread.

I love the soft texture of challah bread, but this sourdough whole wheat challah bread has incredible flavor and texture. I especially love using fresh milled whole wheat.This post is sponsored by Red Star Yeast. Thank you for supporting the brands I love and use in my own kitchen, and that help me continue to share free recipes with you.

From the day I started this blog, there’s one recipe that I’ve gotten request after request after request for. And somehow, the time never came to share said recipe. Until today.

Zomick's Whole Wheat Challah Bread, 15 Oz

Let me back-track. When I’m dieting carefully, one of the things I avoid completely is white flour, which means that I’ve eaten a whole lot of whole wheat bread over the years. After trying numerous kinds, I discovered that most whole wheat bread falls into one of two categories: either it’s not very

(i.e. mostly white flour and/or loads of sugar) or it’s just…not that good. My quest for 100% whole wheat bread, especially challah, that tastes great and has a great texture led me to start baking my own bread, which in turn, helped me come up with this: The Ultimate Whole  Wheat Challah Recipe. And today, I’ve partnered with Red Star Yeast to bring you this recipe, just in time for Rosh Hashanah and the rest of the holidays.

Here’s the thing about whole wheat challah: it’s often heavy. So instead of letting that bug me, I decided to embrace it, and created a slightly-heavy, almost-cakey, and absolutely delicious challah recipe, that’s super crusty on the outside. If you’re intimidated by making challah and other yeast-based treats,  make sure to start with good quality yeast, which will help ensure success. I love Red Star Yeast, and use it in my own challah to get the best, fluffiest dough possible.

Whole Grain Challah

I often make whole wheat challah for myself (let the rest of the family eat white challah – I’m not so good at sharing!) in small loaves or even rolls, but when you find the whole family asking for your whole wheat challah, you’ll want to make big loaves instead. Either way, this challah is amazing. Life changing, even. I know you’re going to love it!

*Note: I like a sweeter challah, so I add 1 1/3 cups honey. If you prefer yours less sweet, add just a cup of honey.

With Rosh Hashanah right around the corner, there’s no need to eat food that will make you feel guilty and heavy! Start the new year right with the Ultimate Whole Wheat Challah Recipe.

Whole Wheat Challah Recipe

P.S. The launch party for my cookbook is TOMORROW in Brooklyn and I can’t wait to meet all of you! Click here for details.

Thanks folks for stopping by! I know you’re going to love this recipe – then make sure to come back soon for Holiday meal planning help! -Miriam