Pumpkin Challah

Name: Pumpkin Challah
Prep time: 12 min
Cook time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 cup pumpkin puree; 3/4 cup water; 2 1/4 tsp instant yeast; 5 cups all-purpose flour; 1 large egg; ¼ cup granulated sugar; 1 ¼ tsp sea salt; 3 tbsp oil; 2 tsp pumpkin spice; 1 large egg yolk; 1 tsp water; poppy or sesame seeds

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Pumpkin Challah is a fall recipe that captures the sweet, earthy flavor of pumpkin with the soft, eggy texture of traditional challah. It’s the kind of bread that feels right at home on a Sukkot table, as part of a Thanksgiving feast, or simply as a cozy weekend treat.

A loaf of pumpkin challah bread on parchment paper.

Pumpkin Challah brings together two beloved holiday staples—challah and pumpkin—into one showstopping loaf. Whether you’re celebrating a Jewish holiday or hosting a Thanksgiving dinner, this bread is sure to be a centerpiece, both in appearance and flavor.

You can serve it with a drizzle of honey and melted butter for a sweet breakfast, or alongside savory dishes for dinner. This bread also makes the perfect companion for a warm cup of tea or cocoa on a chilly autumn night.

Ingredients

All-purpose flour: Use all-purpose flour for a soft, fluffier challah. If you'd like more structure, you could substitute with or add some bread flour.

Oil: Canola, vegetable, or sunflower oil work well. You can substitute with butter for a richer flavor and a slightly more tender crumb.

Water: Avoid using cold water. Room temperature water, whether filtered or tap, works best for this dough.

Yeast: I prefer using instant yeast for convenience. If you use active dry yeast, remember to bloom it in warm liquid before adding it to the dough.

Pumpkin purée: Canned pumpkin purée is ideal, especially if you’re new to bread baking. Avoid using canned pumpkin pie filling, as it contains added sweeteners and spices.

Pumpkin spice: This spice mix is optional. If you don't have pumpkin spice available, I share my favorite pumpkin spice recipe in my pumpkin granola post.

How to Make It

Many people find the idea of making challah from scratch intimidating, especially with its intricate braid and fluffy texture. But here's a secret: it’s not as hard as it looks.

Yes, making challah takes a bit of time as any yeast bread, but most of that time is hands-off, letting the dough rise and develop its flavors. The actual process of mixing and kneading is simple. Let’s go through it together!

Step 01. After combining the ingredients and mixing until combined, knead the dough. Knead it for about 4 minutes if using a stand mixer (8 to 10 if doing by hand), until it becomes smooth and slightly tacky.

Dough inside a glass bowl, covered, after the first rise.

Step 02. Once the dough has finished kneading, let it rise on a warm spot, covered, until it has doubled in size.

Step 03. Use both hands to roll each dough part back and forth on the work surface, turning it into a long rope with slightly tapered ends. Lightly flour each rope to prevent them from fusing together during baking.

Step 04. Pinch the tops of the 3 dough ropes together. Braid the ropes by lifting each one up and over, creating a stacked, high braid. You want the braid to be taller in the center and tapered at the ends. Once you reach the bottom, press and seal the ends together with your palm.

Shapped challah after second rise, covered.

Step 05. Place the braided challah loaf onto parchment paper lined baking sheets. Cover the dough and set it aside in a warm spot for the second rise. Let the dough rise until it has doubled in size, about 40 minutes.

Pumpkin challah dough topped with sesame seeds and egg wash.

Step 06. Prepare an egg wash by whisking together the egg yolk and water. Gently brush a thin layer of egg wash over the entire surface of each loaf. Sprinkle the loaves with poppy or sesame seeds.

Baked pumpkin challah on a wooden board.

Step 07. Place the loaves in the preheated oven (375°F), middle rack, and bake until golden brown, about 30 minutes.

You can use this dough to make challah rolls! Check how to shape challah knots easily and get delicious pumpkin challah buns with this recipe.

I don’t have a mixer, can I knead challah by hand?

Absolutely! It may take a bit longer, but it is doable. The key is to work the dough until it becomes smooth and firm, just as you would with a mixer.

My dough is too sticky!

If your dough feels too sticky after kneading, don’t worry! This can happen due to factors like humidity or the moisture content in the pumpkin purée. To fix it, gradually add up to ½ cup of flour, a little at a time, until the dough becomes smooth and manageable. Be careful not to add too much, as you still want the dough to remain soft and slightly tacky for the best texture. Start with ¼ cup of flour, adding more only of needed.

What kind of yeast should I use?

Instant yeast is ideal for challah as it doesn’t need to be activated. If you use active dry yeast, bloom it in some of the water with a dash of sugar first, letting it sit for 10-20 minutes until bubbly before continuing with the recipe.

Expert Tips

Use canned pumpkin purée. Fresh pumpkin puree can be too watery and may affect the dough’s consistency.
When shaping your loaf, braid the dough loosely to allow room for the dough to rise during baking. This gives the challah that perfect pillowy texture.
One key to success is to measure your ingredients carefully. Using a digital scale for accuracy will help ensure consistent results. The dough itself should be soft, stretchy, and just a little sticky. Let it rise until it doubles in size, and don’t rush it.

Storing and Freezing

Pumpkin challah is best enjoyed fresh. Allow it to cool completely before storing it in a bread keeper or airtight container or bag. It will stay fresh for up to 5 days at room temperature.

You can freeze this bread. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and place it in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. To serve, thaw it at room temperature or warm it in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes.