Maple-Glazed Vegan Water Challah (Pareve)

Written by
Miri Rotkovitz
Registered dietician, teacher, and award-winning cookbook author who has been exploring Jewish cuisine for almost 20 years.
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Miri Rotkovitz
Updated 05/04/21
Maple Glazed Challah

Miri Rotkovitz
Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 30 mins
Rising Time: 2 hrs
Total: 2 hrs 45 mins
Servings: 12 servings
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
63 Calories
1g Fat
12g Carbs
1g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 12
Amount per serving
Calories 63
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 1g 1%
Saturated Fat 0g 1%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 506mg 22%
Total Carbohydrate 12g 5%
Dietary Fiber 1g 3%
Protein 1g
Calcium 20mg 2%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Years ago, some people tended to shun eggs for fear they'd raise their cholesterol. Lots of kosher bakeries turned out so-called "water challahs" to cater to the egg abstainers. Some people still do avoid eggs, but as nutrition science advanced, the egg was vindicated, and for many, the water challah was forgotten. 

It seems blasphemous to make egg bread (another name for challah) without eggs, but if you're out of eggs or vegan, this recipe produces a spectacular and delicious result. We have provided two methods of making this challah bread, one using the mixer and the other using a bread machine.

The dough rises beautifully and is easy to work with. Crusty, chewy, and a bit sweet, this recipe will become your go-to challah—even though there probably won't be any leftovers for French toast.

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Ingredients

  • For the Challah:
  • 1 1/4 cups lukewarm water
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
  • 6 tablespoons sugar
  • 1/4 cup oil (neutral-flavored such as grapeseed or canola, plus additional for oiling the bowl)
  • 4 to 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons salt (kosher salt or pink Himalayan sea salt)
  • For the Glaze:
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons pure maple syrup
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons soy milk (or another non-dairy milk substitute)

Steps to Make It

Hand or Stand Mixer Method

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. Place the warm water in a large bowl or stand mixer. Add a pinch of the sugar to the bowl and sprinkle with the yeast. Set aside in a warm place for 5 to 10 minutes, until the mixture is foamy. (If your yeast doesn't proof properly, discard the mixture and start again with fresh yeast).

  3. With a hand whisk or the mixer's whisk attachment, mix in the sugar, oil, 2 cups of flour, and salt.

  4. Switch to a sturdy wooden spoon or the mixer's dough hook, and add the remaining flour 1 cup at a time, mixing well after each addition until a shaggy dough forms and begins to pull into a ball. (You might or might not need the last 1/2 cup of flour. If the dough is very wet or sticky, add it. If not, use some of it to dust your work surface.)

  5. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface. With clean, floured hands, knead the dough until it is smooth and elastic, about 5 to 10 minutes.

  6. Allow the dough to rest for a few minutes while you clean and dry the large mixing bowl.

  7. Grease the inside of the bowl with a bit of oil.

  8. Place the challah dough in the bowl and turn to coat with the oil.

  9. Cover the bowl with a damp tea towel or plastic wrap and set aside in a warm place until the dough has risen to at least double its bulk, about 1 hour and 45 minutes.

  10. Punch the dough down.

  11. Lightly grease one or two baking sheets or line them with parchment paper.

  12. Shape or braid the dough as desired. (The recipe will make 1 large challah, 2 medium challahs, 1 medium challah plus 6 challah rolls, or 12 challah rolls.)

  13. Place the shaped challah and/or rolls on the baking sheet(s) and cover with clean, dry tea towels. Allow to rise until doubled, about 45 minutes to 1 hour.

  14. Heat the oven to 350 F. While the oven is heating, make the maple wash by whisking together the maple syrup and soy milk.

  15. Brush over the challah with a pastry brush.

  16. Bake the challah until the crust is a deep golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped, about 30 to 35 minutes for a large challah, 20 to 25 minutes for a medium challah, and 15 to 20 minutes for rolls.

  17. Cool on a wire rack.

Bread Machine Method

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. Place the ingredients in the bread machine in the order recommended by the manufacturer. Select "Dough Cycle." When the cycle ends, remove the dough from the machine.

  3. Shape as desired and transfer to prepared baking pans.

  4. Allow the challah to rise, covered lightly with a clean, slightly damp tea towel, for 30 minutes to an hour or until doubled in size.

  5. While the bread is rising, make the maple wash by whisking together the maple syrup and soy milk.

  6. Preheat oven to 350F. Brush the challah with the maple mixture.

  7. Bake in a heated oven until the crust is golden and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped, about 30 to 35 minutes for a large challah, 20 to 25 minutes for a medium challah, and 15 to 20 minutes for rolls.

  8. Cool on a wire rack. 

Tips

  • Make this in smaller loaves or rolls so you can freeze and save one (or more) for later use. This recipe makes 1 large challah, 2 medium challahs, 1 medium challah plus 6 challah rolls, or 12 challah rolls.

Recipe Variations

  • Top it with herbs such as fresh chopped rosemary, or some sesame seeds.
  • Mix in some raisins or cinnamon in the dough, or use both.

How to Store and Freeze

  • Although best eaten the day it is baked, this vegan challah bread will last for 2 to 3 days in an airtight container or plastic bag at room temperature. Do not place in the refrigerator as it will make it go stale quicker. It makes wonderful French Toast.
  • Challah bread can be frozen for up to three months. Place it in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag and freeze.