Here at Team STG, we love a good challah. (Although on second thought, is there anyone who doesn’t?) In addition to being totally delicious – there is nothing, but nothing, like a slice fresh out of the oven – challah’s just so evocative of cozy Shabbat dinners and nourishing holiday meals.
Usually it’s simply (or not-so-simply) braided – with three, four, five, six, or even more strands – and while the more standard braided loaves can be plenty impressive in their own rights, today we’re turning to some intrepid bakers of Instagram, for whom challah is more than a bread – it’s an art form.
From Jewish symbols to animals, abstract designs to seasonal specialties, turns out you can shape your challah dough into just about anything. Though it’s just a tiny smattering go all the gorgeous loaves we could’ve shared, feast your eyes on twelve of our very favorite bakes.
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We’ve seen pull-apart challah before, but never like this – HOW stunning is this design from master baker @allegrabenitah?
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This hamsa challah from @nomadbakery‘s got us wondering why this palm-shaped good luck symbol doesn’t show up more often when it comes to bread baking.
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Just in time for Halloween (or really any autumnal occasion), @rebekahlowin brings us pumpkin challah rolls – which not only look like sweet lil’ mini pumpkins, but taste like them too (well, sort of) thanks to pumpkin puree.
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How elegant is this artistic sunrise (or sunset, your call!) challah from @challahprince?!
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Okay, so it’s not the shape we love about this one, but rather the colors – but either way, @whatjewwannaeat bakes up the prettiest rainbow challah we’ve ever seen. And Amy Kritzer, the blogger behind this iconic account, just happens to be a member of Smashing Life, our community for Jewish and Jew-ish women looking to lead authentic Jewish lives on their own terms!
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It’s a little late for this year, but keep this lulav and etrog challah by @poppyandprune – aka Smashing The Glass’s very own Client Relations Manager, Emily Sacharin – in mind for next Sukkot!
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For the Americans and Canadians among us, this adorable turkey challah from @challahmaven would make an unforgettable accompaniment to your Thanksgiving (or post-Thanksgiving Shabbat) table.
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Loving this artistic rendition the Ten Commandments from @parshaltochallah!
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We’ll take a dozen of these sweet little challah roll birdies from @rochiepinson, please!
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Our very own Smashing Life member Jenna Langert, aka @thesabrabaker, made this adorable saguaro challah in honor of her desert hometown of Tucson, Arizona!
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Love this heart-shaped challah from @lions.bread – so simple, but so sweet.
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Last but absolutely not least, we’re positively bowled over by this pitch-perfect Torah challah, lovingly baked by @lechlechallah!
Which shape is YOUR favorite? Let us know in the comments, or come chat with us on Instagram at @yourjewishlife!
