Key Shaped Challah

The Ashkenazic Jewish custom of making key shaped bread, or rather challah, (called schlissel challah) for the first shabbos after Passover is something I love to do, though this year on that particular shabbos we were in the Ukraine, so no key shaped challahs…….but then again, since it is a symbolic custom rather than a Jewish Law I figured I’d bake those key shaped challahs the very first time we made challahs at home, which was last Friday. And since my camera battery charger is broken and the replacement has yet to arrive my daughter quickly took some photos to share with you. At this point you may just want to keep this in mind for next year as serving key shaped challahs this shabbos will likely result in some strange looks and/or confusion, but if that doesn’t bother you, I say go right ahead and enjoy! Keep on reading for all the links to previous posts with lots of inspiration as far as exactly how to make a key shape!

This year I made the neck of the key with a braid, a first time for that, and the head of the key with a circle of little spiral formed rolls. I was happy with the result, but next time will put a tin can in the center of the circle so it will be more circular after baking.
Making shapes with challah is not an exact science as it is hard to predict what will happen when the dough rises, which is why I have often shared photos of my key shaped challahs before baking when they look nicely shaped!

Ah yes, do take a look at my key shaped challahs from previous years: here is a huge key, here are some great looking 50% whole wheat ones, here I show the before and after. Enjoy!

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