Challah Recipes To Make For Hanukkah in Atlanta

Hanukkah in Atlanta is special, and for good reason! 

Not only is the city home to one of the largest Jewish communities in the United States (it ranks 7th in terms of population by city!), but it’s also home to the 17th largest Jewish population by metropolitan area in the world!

If you live anywhere in or near our luxury Atlanta apartments, then celebrate this year’s Hanukkah knowing that there is community enough for all here in Georgia’s capital. Plus, we’ve thrown in some pretty great challah recipes to make your table look extra festive. 

Atlanta’s Jewish community

The Jewish community in Atlanta has a rich and diverse history dating all the way back to the 1840s when German Jews first settled in the area. 

By 1867, the Hebrew Benevolent Congregation, later known as "The Temple," was founded, marking the establishment of Atlanta's first organized Jewish community. The congregation was initially Reform, with leaders like Dr. David Marx shaping it into one of the most liberal Reform synagogues in the area — his successor, Rabbi Jacob Rothschild, became a prominent advocate for civil rights and was known for his support of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 

Orthodox Jewish communities began forming in the 1880s as Eastern European Jews began arriving in Atlanta. The many smaller congregations eventually joined together to become the Ahavath Achim congregation in 1887 and became one of the city’s major Orthodox congregations. Orthodox Rabbi Tobias Geffen, who led the Shearith Israel congregation for six decades, played a significant role in promoting Jewish education in Atlanta and famously gave Coca-Cola its kosher certification in 1934. The Sephardic community also established itself in Atlanta with the formation of Or VeShalom in 1914, led for decades by Rabbi Joseph Cohen.

Jewish influence expanded to education and academia, most notably through Emory University. Over time, Emory’s Jewish student population grew significantly, and the university eventually established a department dedicated solely to Jewish Studies. Faculty members like Deborah Lipstadt, a noted Holocaust scholar, and Ken Stein, a Middle East specialist, further bolstered the university’s reputation in Jewish studies.

Cultural and social development followed with the establishment of the Jewish Educational Alliance (later the Jewish Community Center) in the early 20th century, and by the mid-20th century, Jewish professionals had gained entry into prominent roles in Atlanta’s law firms, hospitals and academia.

Today, Atlanta’s Jewish community remains vibrant, with synagogues representing all major denominations — Reform, Conservative, Orthodox and Sephardic — as well as a robust network of educational, cultural and social service institutions. In the 180 years since the first Jewish communities settled down here, Jewish contributions to Atlanta’s political, academic and economic landscape continue to be felt across the city and beyond!

Now, this is a lot of background information for an article that’s mainly about different challah recipes, but with such a vibrant and active Jewish population in Atlanta today, it would be a shame to not shed some light on the people and histories that make up the city’s culture today. 

So without further ado, let’s dive into some challah recipes that you can make for Shabbat, Hanukkah and any other occasion!

Festive challah recipes for Hanukkah

Whether you’re looking for classic, sweet, simple or savory, these challah recipes are sure to add something special to your Hanukkah table.

Classic braided challah

A timeless recipe that delivers the soft, slightly sweet bread loved by many. This version yields a golden, fluffy loaf that’s perfect for tearing and sharing. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and tradition, so give it a try!

Ingredients

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 large eggs + 1 egg (for egg wash)
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup warm water

Instructions

In a large bowl, combine warm water, yeast and sugar. Let it sit for 10 minutes until it becomes frothy.

Add eggs, oil, salt and half the flour. Mix until combined.

Slowly add the remaining flour and knead for 8-10 minutes until a smooth, elastic dough forms.

Cover the dough with a kitchen towel and let it rise for 1-2 hours until it doubles in size.

Punch down the dough, divide it into 3, 4 or 6 strands and braid.

Place on a lined baking sheet and let it rise for another 30-45 minutes.

Brush with egg wash, then bake at 375°F for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown.

Honey whole wheat challah

This heartier version of challah has a rich, nutty flavor thanks to whole wheat flour. The honey provides natural sweetness and keeps the loaf moist and tender.

Ingredients

• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup honey
• 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 large eggs + 1 egg (for egg wash)
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup warm water

Instructions

Mix yeast, honey and warm water in a bowl. Let sit for 10 minutes.

Add eggs, oil, salt, whole wheat flour and half of the all-purpose flour. Stir to combine.

Gradually add the remaining flour until a soft dough forms. Knead for 8-10 minutes.

Cover and let rise for 1-2 hours.

Divide the dough into 3-4 pieces, braid and let rise for 30-45 minutes.

Brush with egg wash and bake at 375°F for 25-30 minutes until golden brown.

Garlic & herb challah

For those who prefer savory over sweet, this challah is infused with garlic and fresh, aromatic herbs like rosemary and thyme. The aroma alone is worth the effort!

Ingredients

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 large eggs + 1 egg (for egg wash)
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 cup warm water
• 3 garlic cloves (minced)
• 1 Tbsp fresh rosemary (chopped)
• 1 Tbsp fresh thyme (chopped)

Instructions

Mix yeast, sugar and warm water. Let sit for 10 minutes.

Add eggs, oil, minced garlic, herbs, salt and half the flour. Mix well.

Add the remaining flour, knead for 8-10 minutes and let it rise for 1-2 hours.

Divide dough into strands, braid and let rise for 30-45 minutes.

Brush with egg wash and bake at 375°F for 25-30 minutes.

Chocolate chip challah

Who can resist this sweet, dessert-like challah filled with melty chocolate chips? It’s a crowd-pleaser for kids and adults alike.

Ingredients

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 large eggs + 1 egg (for egg wash)
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup warm water
• 1 cup mini chocolate chips

Instructions

Mix yeast, sugar and water and let sit for 10 minutes.

Add eggs, oil, salt and flour. Knead for 8-10 minutes.

Gently fold in the chocolate chips.

Let dough rise for 1-2 hours, then braid and let rise again for 30-45 minutes.

Brush with egg wash, bake at 375°F for 25-30 minutes.

Cinnamon sugar challah

This challah tastes like a cinnamon roll in bread form, with swirls of cinnamon sugar in every slice.

Ingredients

• Dough from classic challah recipe
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 2 Tbsp butter (softened)

Instructions

Roll out the classic challah dough into a rectangle.

Spread softened butter over the dough, then sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon.

Roll up the dough tightly, cut into 3 strands and braid.

Let rise for 30-45 minutes.

Brush with egg wash, bake at 375°F for 25-30 minutes.

Stuffed apple cinnamon challah

Warm spiced apples stuffed into this flaky, buttery challah dough make it the ultimate Hanukkah treat.

Ingredients

• Dough from classic challah recipe
• 2 large apples (peeled and chopped)
• 2 Tbsp butter
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon

Instructions

Cook apples, butter, brown sugar and cinnamon in a pan until the apples are soft.

Roll out dough, spread apple filling and roll into a tight log.

Slice into strands and braid. Let rise for 30-45 minutes, then brush with egg wash.

Bake at 375°F for 30-35 minutes.

Everything bagel challah

A savory challah coated with the iconic everything bagel seasoning. Crunchy, flavorful and unforgettable.

Ingredients

• Dough from classic challah recipe
• Everything bagel seasoning mix (store-bought or homemade)

Instructions

After braiding the dough, let it rise for 30-45 minutes.

Brush with egg wash and sprinkle generously with everything bagel seasoning.

Bake at 375°F for 25-30 minutes.

Rainbow challah

This vibrant, colorful challah is as fun to make as it is to eat!

Ingredients

• Dough from Classic challah
• Food coloring of your choice (red, yellow, blue, green, etc)

Instructions

Divide dough into 4-5 portions, add food coloring to each, and knead until color is fully mixed.

Roll each piece into a strand, then braid all the strands together.

Let rise for 30-45 minutes. Brush with egg wash, bake at 375°F for 25-30 minutes.

Make your Hanukkah dinner table extra festive this year with a stunningly-prepared challah made right at home! 

Enjoy!

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Featured photo by Evgeni Tcherkasski on Unsplash