Milk bread (Challah)
Milk bread (Challah) is a rich, braided yeast loaf made with full cream milk, butter, egg and baker's flour. The Thermomix heats the milk to the exact yeast-friendly temperature, then kneads the soft dough into a silky, elastic consistency. Expect a golden, tender crumb and glossy braided crust, ideal for breakfast or a festive weekend table.
About this recipe
Milk bread (Challah) Thermomix TM7 brings a classic braided loaf within reach of every home baker. This enriched bread recipe relies on full cream milk, fresh yeast, butter and egg for its signature soft crumb and glossy, golden braid, and the all-in-one kitchen machine handles the trickiest steps for you. Warming milk to the right temperature for fresh yeast is where most homemade challah recipes go wrong, yet the TM7 removes that guesswork entirely. It then mixes and kneads the baker's flour dough into a smooth, elastic ball, so your hands stay clean and the texture stays consistent every single time. Serve this milk bread warm at a festive breakfast, slice it for lunchbox sandwiches, or tear it apart at a weekend brunch. With minimal effort and maximum reward, this challah quickly becomes the centrepiece of any table, from holiday celebrations to an ordinary Tuesday morning.
Preparation tips
- Crumble the fresh yeast into the warmed milk with a pinch of the sugar and wait until it foams before adding it to the flour; this confirms your yeast is active and guarantees a beautifully risen challah braid.
- After kneading, let the milk bread dough rise covered in a warm, draught-free spot until doubled in size. Brush the braided loaf generously with beaten egg twice for an extra glossy, bakery-style golden crust.
- For a softer crumb, substitute half of the baker's flour with the same weight of plain flour. This milk bread also freezes well: slice before freezing so children can grab a piece for breakfast straight from the toaster.
Recipe variations
- Lactose-free challah: replace the full cream milk with lactose-free milk and the butter with a plant-based margarine. The braid keeps its tender crumb and golden crust, making this milk bread suitable for lactose-intolerant guests.
- Festive honey challah: add a tablespoon of honey to the dough and sprinkle the braided loaf with poppy or sesame seeds before baking. This variation turns the milk bread into a showstopping centrepiece for holiday breakfasts.
Thermomix TM7 Benefits
- Precise heating - The Thermomix warms the full cream milk to the ideal temperature for fresh yeast, ensuring a vigorous rise every time. [Precision Control]
- Hands-free kneading - The TM7 kneads the baker's flour dough into a silky, elastic ball while you grease the proofing bowl. [Hands-Free]
- Built-in weighing - Weigh the flour and sugar directly in the mixing bowl of the Thermomix for consistently balanced challah dough. [Built-in Scale]
- Effortless mixing - The Thermomix combines egg, butter and milk evenly into a homogeneous dough within moments of starting. [Multi-Function]
- Time savings - The TM7 mixes and kneads the milk bread dough faster than kneading by hand, leaving more time for braiding. [Time Savings]
Ingredients
- full cream milk
- butter
- fresh yeast
- sugar
- baker's flour
- salt
- egg