Challah is more than just bread. It is the centrepiece of every Shabbat table, a symbol of the two loaves placed in the Temple, and a tradition passed down through generations of Jewish families around the world.
Whether you want to order fresh kosher challah on Amazon, bake your own at home, or find the perfect challah accessories for your Shabbat table — this is your complete guide.
We have covered everything: the best kosher challah to buy, challah knives, trays, covers, cookbooks, and everything you need to bake your own from scratch.
Best kosher challah on Amazon
Stern's Bakery — The Only Kosher Challah on Amazon
Stern's Bakery is the gold standard for kosher challah available online. Baked fresh daily, OU certified, and pareve — perfect for Shabbat and the High Holidays.
Challah Boards by Yair Emanual
Beautiful Handmade Challah Covers by Israeli Artist Yair Emanuel
Free download Bake Your Own Challah at HomeDownload our free traditional challah recipe — complete with both blessings in Hebrew, transliteration, and English. Makes two perfect Shabbat loaves.
| Need the ingredients? Everything you need to bake challah is available on Amazon. ✓ Active dried yeast ✓ Plain flour ✓ Vegetable oil ✓ Sesame seeds ✓ Challah baking mould |
For the home baker
Challah and Jewish Baking Cookbooks
Take your challah baking to the next level with these highly rated Jewish baking books — all available on Amazon.
The Kids Book of Challah
By Rochie Pinson - Challah Adventures For The Whole Family
Check Price on Amazon →
Staff pick — bake your own challah
The Best Bread Maker for Kosher Challah
 Zojirushi BB-PDC20BA Home Bakery Virtuoso Plus ~$399 Check Amazon for current price Check Price on Amazon → | The Zojirushi Home Bakery Virtuoso Plus is the bread maker the kosher community keeps coming back to. One 90-minute dough cycle gives you enough dough for two perfect Shabbat challahs — then you shape, let rise, and bake. Friday morning challah has never been easier.
Why it's perfect for kosher baking: When you bake challah at home you have complete control over every ingredient. No shared equipment, no hidden dairy — just your kosher ingredients in your own kitchen. Completely pareve, every time. |
Best value pick — bake your own challah
Best Budget Bread Maker for Kosher Challah
 Cuisinart CBK-110 Compact Automatic Bread Maker ~$100 Check Amazon for current price Check Price on Amazon → | The Cuisinart CBK-110 is the best budget bread maker for kosher challah — and Cuisinart's own manual specifically names braided challah as one of its ideal uses. The dough setting mixes, kneads and takes your challah through two full rises. You then remove it, braid by hand, and bake in the oven. Perfect results every Friday morning at a fraction of the price of premium machines.
Why it's perfect for kosher baking: Use the dough cycle with your own kosher ingredients — completely pareve, no shared equipment, full control over what goes in. The machine does the hard work, you do the braiding. Challah on the table every Shabbat without the effort. |
For the serious home baker
Best Stand Mixer for Kosher Challah
 KitchenAid Artisan 5-Quart Stand Mixer ~$400 Check Amazon for current price Check Price on Amazon → | If you bake challah every week and want the very best result, the KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer is in a class of its own. Many experienced Jewish bakers prefer it over a bread machine for the superior texture and gluten development it produces — the dough hook kneads challah's rich, egg-heavy dough to perfection. You braid and bake in the oven exactly as you would by hand, just without the effort.
Bread machine vs stand mixer — which is right for you?
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Complete guide
Everything You Need to Bake Challah at Home
Tick off everything you need before you start baking. Items marked on Amazon can be ordered directly.
Your questions answered
Frequently Asked Questions About Challah
What makes challah different from regular bread?
Challah is an enriched dough — meaning it contains eggs and oil, which gives it a richer flavour, softer texture, and that beautiful golden colour. Regular bread is typically made with just flour, water, yeast, and salt. Challah is also always pareve, meaning it contains no dairy, so it can be served at both meat and dairy Shabbat meals.
Why do we eat challah on Shabbat?
The two challahs on the Shabbat table represent the double portion of manna that fell from Heaven on Fridays during the 40 years the Jewish people wandered in the desert — so they would not have to gather on Shabbat. Covering the challahs with a challah cover during Kiddush is a reminder of the dew that covered the manna.
Why is challah round on Rosh Hashanah?
Round challah is traditional during the High Holiday season from Rosh Hashanah through Yom Kippur. The circular shape symbolises the cycle of the year — with no beginning and no end — and our hope for a sweet, complete new year. Some families also make round challahs with raisins for extra sweetness.
What is the mitzvah of separating challah dough?
When baking challah at home, there is a Torah commandment to separate a small piece of dough — approximately the size of an olive — before braiding and baking. This is called Hafrashat Challah, or "taking challah". A blessing is recited and the separated piece is burned or discarded. This mitzvah applies when baking with a large quantity of flour and is one of the special mitzvot given specifically to Jewish women.
What is the HaMotzi blessing and when is it said?
The HaMotzi is the blessing said over bread before eating. At the Shabbat table, it is recited after Kiddush, once the challah cover is removed. The blessing — Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech haolam, hamotzi lechem min haaretz — translates as "Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, who brings forth bread from the earth." It is customary to dip the challah in salt after the blessing.
Does challah need to be kosher certified?
Yes — if you are keeping kosher, your challah should be kosher certified. When buying challah on Amazon, look for OU (Orthodox Union) certification, which is one of the most widely recognised kosher symbols in the world. Stern's Bakery challah is certified OU Pareve, Pas Yisroel, and Kemach Yoshan — some of the highest kosher standards available. When baking your own, use kosher certified ingredients throughout.
Can challah be frozen?
Yes — challah freezes beautifully. Wrap each loaf tightly in cling film and then in foil, and freeze for up to three months. To defrost, remove from the freezer the night before and leave at room temperature. You can also warm it briefly in the oven at 160°C / 325°F for 10 minutes to refresh it. Many families bake a double batch and freeze half for the following week.
How long does challah stay fresh?
Challah is best eaten within 2 days of baking or delivery. Store it in a bread bag or wrapped in a clean cloth at room temperature — avoid the fridge as it dries out the bread. If your challah is going stale, it makes excellent French toast, bread pudding, or challah croutons — nothing goes to waste.
Is challah dairy free?
Traditional challah is always dairy free — it is made with oil rather than butter, and water or eggs rather than milk. This is essential in a kosher kitchen, as challah is served at Shabbat meals that may include meat. Always check the label when buying challah — it should be clearly marked Pareve. All Stern's Bakery challahs are certified Pareve and nut free.
Can I order kosher challah on Amazon for the holidays?
Yes — Stern's Bakery sells fresh kosher challah on Amazon year round, including their round pull-apart challah which is ideal for Rosh Hashanah. During the High Holiday season Amazon delivery can be busy, so order at least 3–4 days before you need it to guarantee arrival before Yom Tov. If you are ordering for Rosh Hashanah, start looking in late August as stock can sell out quickly.
What is the difference between Pas Yisroel and regular kosher bread?
Pas Yisroel is a higher level of kosher certification for baked goods. It means that a Jewish person participated in the baking process — typically by lighting or stoking the oven. Many observant Jews prefer to eat only Pas Yisroel bread, especially on Shabbat and the holidays. Stern's Bakery challah carries Pas Yisroel certification, making it suitable for those who follow this standard.
Check out all the other Kosher Food Available on Amazon
