DIY: Mini Challah
Mini challahs made by little hands bring BIG fun to Shabbat
It’s almost the official start of winter! If you find your family spending more time indoors as the weather gets chiller (or looking for meaningful activities to do while your children are on winter break from school), it might be fun on your next Shabbat to take a break from your normal routine and do something special, like bake mini challahs for Shabbat with your children – a perfect cold weather / winter break (really anytime) activity!
These mini challahs are extra easy to prepare since they are made with frozen bread dough rolls (found in the freezer section of your favorite grocery store near the frozen bread). Each mini challah is made from three dough rolls, a little flour and hmmm, let me think - that’s it!
Before you begin, you’ll want to defrost the bread dough according to the package directions. You’ll know when the dough is ready when it’s soft and pliable. It might be sticky after defrosting, so I like to spread my countertop with parchment paper that has been lightly dusted with “snow” (flour), and gently coat the dough in the flour. You might want to note that making challah can be a little messy!
Brothers bonding while making mini challah! What could be sweeter on Shabbat? <3
After your dough has been dusted with flour, invite your child to roll each piece into a long “snake” by rolling the dough on the countertop or between their hands.
Making challah is a wonderful tactile experience, so part of the fun is for your child to experiment with different ways to roll the dough. Some children like to use a little rolling pin too. Keep a little extra flour nearby, if the dough becomes sticky.
You’ll want all three dough snakes to be about the same length. Once they are ready, help your child braid them together by pinching the dough at the top to get started.
You can stretch the dough as you braid. Be sure to pinch the dough together at the bottom too.
I like to finish the mini challah by gently tucking the points at the top and bottom underneath the challah.
After each challah is made, take an egg white mixed with a little water (a drop of honey too), and invite your child to gently paint the top of the challah with a pastry brush. This will give your challah a nice golden color.
To make your challahs extra sweet, your children can top them with mini-chocolate chips or even blue and white sprinkles for Hanukkah, white sprinkles for winter and green sprinkles for spring!
Bake your mini challahs on a baking sheet according to the package instructions for about 20 minutes. They’ll be a lovely golden color when they’re done. Let them rest on a counter to cool before eating, and if you’d like, you can say a blessing before eating your challah.
Ba-Ruch A-tah A-do-noi, Elo-hai-nu Me-lech Ha-o-lam, Ha-motzi Leh-chem Min Ha-aretz.
These mini challahs are just so cute that we’ve decided to do something special with them! We’ll be tucking them into shabbat baskets and making a special delivery tomorrow. Click here to learn more about this wonderful act of kindness.
If you’d like to extend your challah baking activity, you can transform your mini challahs into unicorn challahs for a magical Shabbat! You can also make rainbow challah with edible paint! And for even more activities to enjoy this winter season, visit our Winter Round-up!
Do you have a favorite way to enjoy challah? Let us know in the comments below, and let us know if you make mini challahs!
B’tayavon (Enjoy)!
~ Jennifer
