How to Braid Challah - 5 Strand Method

This lovely loaf looks complicated but is really the easiest of the braiding methods I teach.

If you'd like to see more methods of braiding challah, please check out my other Instructables.

We'll start with your favorite bread recipe. We'll do our braiding after the dough has risen once.

Split your dough into 5 equal parts and roll them into ropes.  I find the easiest way to make the ropes equal in size all the way across is to start rolling in the middle and move your hands outward as you roll.

Arrange your dough ropes and pinch them together at the top.

Arrange your ropes so there are 3 on one side, and 2 on the other.

Move the rope on the outside of the 3 ropes, to the inside of the ropes, next to the 2 on the other side.

Make sure you press each rope nicely along the the other ropes to make your loaf look perfect.

Starting from the side that now has 3 ropes, move the outside rope to the middle next to the 2 ropes.

Continue to the very end of your dough.

Pinch the ends together and tuck them under your braid, and then tuck the opposite end of your braid under also.

Allow the dough to rise again before baking.