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    Home » Bread Recipes

    Whole Wheat Pumpkin Challah: Guest Post by A Treats Affair

    Published: Oct 12, 2012 · Modified: Nov 22, 2022 by Kim Beaulieu · This post may contain affiliate links

    900 shares
    • 324
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This Whole Wheat Pumpkin Challah is an easy to make homemade bread that is perfect for fall or any time you are craving pumpkin bread.

    Whole Wheat Pumpkin Challah served in a towel lined basket with apples and mini pumpkins

     

    I have a wonderful treat for you today. The talented Roxana of A Treats Affair (formerly known as Roxana's Home Baking) is visiting the asylum today to share a recipe with all of us.

    Honestly, I love Roxana's blog, she is so creative and knowledgeable. We met through Foodbuzz back when it was the place for us food bloggers to connect.

    I am hoping to be well enough in a couple of months to actually get to meet Roxana in person. We are both planning on attending the same event, so let's all cross our fingers I get the okay to do small trips from my doctor.

    I'm hoping against hope I am able to go since I'm super excited to be able to sit down and talk to her in person. Maybe whoop it up a little. Well, as much as us moms actually whoop things up I suppose.

    I promised Roxana we'd all skype her daughter while we're there. She may think her mom has been kidnapped by a bunch of lunatics. She may not be that far off the mark.

    Whole Wheat Pumpkin Challah served in a basket with apples and mini pumpkins

    Hello Kim's lovely readers!

    Those of you who don't know me, I'm Roxana, the baker, photographer, writer and dish cleaner behind A Treats Affair.

    I'm a stay at home mom and wife juggling between kitchen and playroom and everything in between. My little lady bug is soon to be three and I'm her favorite play-pal. From tea parties and picnic with the dolls to cookie baking, we do everything together.

    I'm happy to be here and share this whole wheat pumpkin challah recipe with you.

    Let me go back a little bit and share a secret.

    When Kim asked me to guest post for her I was debating if I should make a turtle something (since as you probably know that's her weakness) or candy something.

    In the end I decided to go with a pumpkin Hersey's kisses brownie but this week is bread-tastic week on A Treats Affair so here I'm with a loaf of bread combining my passion for yeast baking and the wonderful warming fall flavors.

    If you'd like to win a box of goodies from Red Star Yeast you can enter here and check out my homemade croissants.

    I know some of you might say " oh no, yeast! SCARY!!!! RUN!!!" but please, give me 5 minutes to explain.

    Baking with yeast is such a wonderful thing. You mix it with water and wait for the foam to appear, then with a handful of ingredients and a lot of love and patience you watch it come to life.

    And then, the smell takes over the kitchen while the bread is in the oven. There's nothing in this world as comforting as the smell of freshly baked bread.

    Take the loaf when it's done baking and share it with your loved ones. Toss a salad, a bowl of hearty soup, spread some butter on the warm bread and enjoy!

    Whole Wheat Pumpkin Challah served in a towel lined basket with apples and mini pumpkins

    More Bread Recipes:

    • Apple Rosemary Focaccia
    • Banana Coconut Sweet Bread 
    • Peanut Butter Chocolate Banana Bread with Walnuts
    • Momzie's Banana Bread 
    • One Hour Bread 
    • Harvest Bread
    • Cinnamon Pull Apart Bread
    • Chocolate Bread

    Whole Wheat Pumpkin Challah served in a towel lined bread basket with apples and mini pumpkins

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    Whole Wheat Pumpkin Challah from Roxana's Home Baking
    Print Pin
    5 from 5 votes

    Whole Wheat Pumpkin Challah

    This Whole Wheat Pumpkin Challah is an easy to make homemade bread that is perfect for fall or any time you are craving pumpkin bread. 
    Course Bread
    Cuisine American
    Keyword pumpkin bread, pumpkin challah, whole wheat pumpkin challah
    Prep Time 10 minutes
    Cook Time 40 minutes
    Resting Time 2 hours
    Total Time 2 hours 50 minutes
    Servings 8
    Calories 379kcal
    Author Roxana's Home Baking: Guest Post

    Equipment

    • Stand Mixer
    • Glass Mixing Bowl
    • Cookie Sheet

    Ingredients

    • ½ cup whole wheat flour
    • ½ cup lukewarm water
    • 1 envelope Red Star PLATINUM yeast
    • 8 ounces cooked or canned pumpkin
    • 2 large eggs
    • ¼ cup grapeseed oil
    • ¼ cup honey
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 4 ½ cups whole wheat flour
    • egg wash (1 egg mixed with 1 tbsp water)
    • 1 pinch sesame seeds
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • In a mixing bowl add ½ cup flour, ½ cup water and yeast. Stir and leave at room temperature until foamy and has a spongy texture.
    • Add the pumpkin, eggs, oil, honey and salt and with the dough hook on start mixing.
    • Slowly add the remaining 4 ½ cups flour and mix until the dough forms a ball and comes clean from the sides of the bowl.
    • Take the dough out and place it in an oiled bowl. Cover with plastic foil and leave at room temperature until doubled in size. (This generally takes 1 hour minimum, or up to 3 hours)
    • When risen, divide the dough in 6 pieces and either braid two loaves or one big loaf.
    • Place the braid(s) on a cookie sheet, cover with plastic foil and leave at room temperature until doubled in size. (This generally takes 1 hour minimum, or up to 3 hours)
    • Meanwhile preheat the oven to 375F.
    • Just before baking, brush the loaves with the egg wash and sprinkle sesame seeds on top (optional)
    • Bake for 40 minutes or until slightly brown and it smells wonderful.
    • Enjoy!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 379kcal | Carbohydrates: 65g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 47mg | Sodium: 168mg | Potassium: 362mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 4486IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 43mg | Iron: 3mg

    Thanks for visiting today!

    Check out my recipe index for more amazing recipes. Not only can find more bread recipes but also tons of dinner recipes.

    After that, please take a minute to follow me on Pinterest. I’m always pinning great recipes as well as fun DIY projects.

    Lastly, be sure to follow me on Instagram. It’s actually a great way to stay up to date on all the latest and greatest blog recipes.

    Toodles! xx

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    This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Baker Street

      October 12, 2012 at 7:06 am

      Absolutely stunning! Roxana is so good with baking bread and once again she's done a fabulous job with this challah!

      Reply
      • Kim Bee

        October 12, 2012 at 8:28 pm

        She just amazes me. I cannot wait to tackle Challah now. She made me feel like even I could do this. Love her.

        Reply
      • Roxana | Roxana's Home Baking

        October 17, 2012 at 8:20 am

        Aww, thanks Anu. You're so sweet. I do with lots of passion, that's the success key

        Reply
    2. Ramona

      October 12, 2012 at 7:14 am

      This is amazing looking bread and so healthy too!! Absolutely stunning photographs. Wonderful guest post and I hope you ladies have great weekend. 🙂

      Reply
      • Kim Bee

        October 12, 2012 at 8:34 pm

        Thanks for coming by Ramona. I give all the accolades to the lovely Roxana today.

        Reply
      • Roxana | Roxana's Home Baking

        October 17, 2012 at 8:21 am

        Thanks Ramona (my sister is called Ramona)
        Hope you're having a wonderful week

        Reply
    3. kitchenriffs

      October 12, 2012 at 10:21 am

      I've never had a Pumpkin Challah! What a terrific idea! So nice - looks like it has great flavor, and you can't get more seasonal. Good recipe, excellent guest post. And Kim, when you do your pizza dough, just one thought: instant yeast is your friend. I buy it by the pound so it's cheap, then freeze it, and it lasts me several years.

      Reply
      • Kim Bee

        October 12, 2012 at 8:37 pm

        Thanks for visiting. I love having you stop by. I shall keep it in mind. I buy instant and I buy the jars and keep them in the fridge. The active dry yeast scares me but it's also so cool when it does it's thing. Lol.

        Reply
      • Roxana | Roxana's Home Baking

        October 17, 2012 at 8:23 am

        Hi Kitchenriffs,
        making challah is not as hard as one thinks and it's such a wonderful bread. Hope you give it a try

        Reply
    4. RavieNomNoms

      October 12, 2012 at 11:02 am

      Your bread looks phenomenal!!

      Reply
      • Kim Bee

        October 12, 2012 at 8:41 pm

        She makes wicked good bread!

        Reply
      • Roxana | Roxana's Home Baking

        October 17, 2012 at 8:23 am

        Thanks Raven!

        Reply
    5. elisabeth@foodandthrift

      October 12, 2012 at 11:39 am

      Kim and Roxana, You ladies collaborated in one of the BEST and most creative guest post I have seen in a long time. Such a perfect selection for Fall! Love, love the Pumpkin Challah...so magnificent, and super delicious. Pinned it twice in 2 categories...stumbled it...(yeayyy, just signed up)...tweeted it, as well:)...now, off to Roxana's blog. Hugs,

      Reply
      • Kim Bee

        October 12, 2012 at 8:45 pm

        Awe Elisabeth you are so sweet. Thanks so much for all the pinning, stumbling (I use it but forget about it often, more cuz I can never remember my password, lol) and tweeting it. I love when you stop by. xx

        Reply
      • Roxana | Roxana's Home Baking

        October 17, 2012 at 8:26 am

        Hi Elisabeth,
        you're always so kind. Thanks for the lovely words and for sharing my guest post 🙂

        Reply
    6. Laura (Tutti Dolci)

      October 12, 2012 at 12:10 pm

      Wonderful guest post from Roxana! This is such a beautiful challah bread - I love the pumpkin variation for the season!

      Reply
      • Kim Bee

        October 12, 2012 at 8:58 pm

        She really did a wonderful job and I'm so grateful to her for easing my work load this week. She's such a sweetheart.

        Reply
      • Roxana | Roxana's Home Baking

        October 17, 2012 at 8:28 am

        I can not get enough pumpkin. Thanks Laura

        Reply
    7. Roxana | Roxana's Home Baking

      October 12, 2012 at 12:18 pm

      Hi Kim,
      Thanks for letting me take control over your asylum for one day, it's lots of fun! can't wait to see you in few weeks <3
      Enjoy your day with the family

      Reply
      • Kim Bee

        October 12, 2012 at 9:09 pm

        It was my pleasure Roxana. I so enjoyed having you. And I cannot thank you enough for lightening my work load this week. It means so much to me.

        Reply
    8. Vicki Bensinger

      October 12, 2012 at 6:32 pm

      WOW Pumpkin Challah now that's something I'd love to try. I haven't made challah in years but always loved the smell and pleasure of making it. Very unique. I'm saving this recipe. Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
      • Kim Bee

        October 12, 2012 at 9:23 pm

        Thanks so much for coming by Vicki. I am so craving Challah right now.

        Reply
      • Roxana | Roxana's Home Baking

        October 17, 2012 at 8:30 am

        Thanks Vicky.
        You should give it a try, now with the pumpkin season all around us 🙂

        Reply
    9. Maureen | Orgasmic Chef

      October 12, 2012 at 9:57 pm

      I love Roxana's cooking and her baking sends me swooning. Great guest post!

      Reply
      • Roxana | Roxana's Home Baking

        October 17, 2012 at 8:30 am

        aww, thanks Maureen. Your comments always make me smile

        Reply
      • Kim Bee

        October 18, 2012 at 11:23 pm

        Me too Maureen. Thanks for visiting.

        Reply
    10. Nami | Just One Cookbook

      October 13, 2012 at 12:47 am

      That's true...Foodbuzz introduced me to MANY of my blogger friends including you and Roxana. It was such a wonderful networking place and I'm glad that we still keep in touch. I cannot imagine someone who's starting a blog right now. It must be a lot harder to get to know the food blog community as quickly as we did. Roxana is a great baker and she always encourages me to bake. This pumpkin challah is so beautiful. If she's my neighbor I'd order homemade bread from her and stop buying bread from bakeries. I love her recipes. Nice guest post ladies! Oh I hope you get to meet in person!! Take good care Kim!

      Reply
      • Roxana | Roxana's Home Baking

        October 17, 2012 at 8:33 am

        Hi Nami,
        I'm so thankful for Foodbuzz, I meet so many wonderful bloggers who over time became friends. I guess now we're left only with social media to meet other bloggers.
        Thanks for your lovely comment

        Reply
      • Kim Bee

        October 18, 2012 at 11:30 pm

        I wish Foodbuzz was still around and the same as it was in the good old days. I agree, starting out now must be tough. I liked the sense of community Foodbuzz offered.

        I'm with you, if Roxana lived nearby I'd never buy bread from the store again.

        Crossing my fingers I get the okay to go on this trip.

        Reply
    11. Michelle @Amourbeurre

      October 13, 2012 at 10:27 pm

      trying this tomorrow!

      Reply
      • Roxana | Roxana's Home Baking

        October 17, 2012 at 8:38 am

        I hope you liked it

        Reply
      • Kim Bee

        October 18, 2012 at 11:31 pm

        Hope it rocked your world.

        Reply
    12. Katherine Martinelli

      October 14, 2012 at 1:35 am

      I love homemade challah and the addition of pumpkin is brilliant and perfect for fall. Great guest post! 🙂

      Reply
      • Roxana | Roxana's Home Baking

        October 17, 2012 at 8:41 am

        Thanks Katherine 🙂

        Reply
      • Kim Bee

        October 18, 2012 at 11:33 pm

        Thanks for visiting Katherine. Always happy to have you at the asylum.

        Reply
    13. Kiran @ KiranTarun.com

      October 17, 2012 at 4:37 pm

      Homemade challah bread looks so delicious and beautiful. Love the styling 🙂

      Reply
      • Kim Bee

        October 18, 2012 at 11:38 pm

        Roxana is amazing with photography. I wish I had half her talent.

        Reply
    14. Stephanie Eskridge

      November 24, 2015 at 2:32 pm

      Is this supposed to be a drier dough? I threw away one batch of dough because it just didnt look and feel right. I am now waiting on my 2nd try and it still seems to be a drier dough for challah. Any tips?

      Reply
      • Kim Beaulieu

        November 24, 2015 at 4:42 pm

        Hi Stephanie. I'll email Roxana right now so she can come help you out. I'm sure she'll swing in to answer your question soon.

        Reply
      • Roxana

        November 24, 2015 at 7:04 pm

        Hi Stephanie,

        It's not supposed to be a dry dough.
        There are various reasons why a dough might end up dry although you followed the recipe and most of the time the flour is to blame. If your package of flour has been opened for a while, your flour is a little on the dry side and it needs a little more liquid.
        Or you may have not measured the flour correctly and added more than needed.
        I'm more than happy to help you out with this recipe. Please email me directly with your questions.

        Roxana

        Reply
    15. Renee W

      September 07, 2022 at 2:01 pm

      5 stars
      Brilliant! This was even more delicious than I expected!!

      Reply
      • Kim Beaulieu

        September 07, 2022 at 2:39 pm

        So happy you liked it.

        Reply
    16. Toni

      September 08, 2022 at 8:54 am

      5 stars
      It turned out really good! Thanks so much for the recipe!

      Reply
      • Kim Beaulieu

        September 21, 2022 at 3:07 pm

        I'm so happy to hear that. Thanks.

        Reply
    17. Willie

      September 08, 2022 at 12:18 pm

      5 stars
      This bread was AMAZING! The ledtovers made the perfect french toast the next morning!

      Reply
      • Kim Beaulieu

        September 21, 2022 at 3:05 pm

        That's awesome! Thanks.

        Reply

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