# Honey round challah for Rosh Hashanah

- Link: https://www.challahbake.org/resource/honey-round-challah-for-rosh-hashanah/
- Published: 2026-10-22T12:15:48-04:00
- Author: Shira

On Rosh Hashanah, the challah changes shape. Instead of the long Shabbat braid, 
many families bake a round loaf, often sweetened with honey and dotted with raisins.
Customs differ, and the reasons given are lovely.

## Why round?

A circle has no beginning and no end, which many connect to the cycle of the year.
Others see a crown, since we crown God as King on Rosh Hashanah, or a spiral rising
like a ladder. Some families bake a bird shape or a ladder instead. Ask your family
or your rabbi which custom you follow.

> May this be a year as sweet as honey and as full as the loaf on our table.
> A blessing for the table

## Dipping in honey

Many Ashkenazi families dip the challah in honey, not salt, from Rosh Hashanah through
Sukkot, to express the hope for a sweet year. Put a small dish of honey at every
seat.

![](https://www.challahbake.org/wp-content/plugins/challah-bake/assets/img/challah-
braid.jpg)

Recipe

### Honey Round Challah

A sweet spiral loaf for Rosh Hashanah and other special occasions. Makes one large
round challah.

Total time3 hr 40 min

Hands-on35 min

Makes1 loaf

LevelMedium

 [Scale it and save it ](https://www.challahbake.org/recipe/honey-round-challah/)
[Use in a bake](https://www.challahbake.org/dashboard/#/bakes/new?recipe=94)

#### Ingredients

 * **4 cups** bread flour (500 g)
 * **1 1/2 tsp** instant yeast (5 g)
 * **1/3 cup** honey (110 g)
 * **1 1/2 tsp** salt (9 g)
 * **3/4 cup** warm water (180 g)
 * **1/4 cup** neutral oil (60 g)
 * **2** eggs, plus 1 for the wash
 * **1/2 cup** raisins (optional) (75 g)

#### Method

 1. Mix and knead everything except the raisins into a smooth dough. Knead in the raisins
    at the end. _10 min_
 2. Cover and let rise until doubled. _1 hr 30 min_
 3. Roll into one long rope, thicker in the middle. Coil from the thick end into a 
    spiral and tuck the tail underneath.
 4. Rest on a lined tray, then brush with egg wash. _45 min_
 5. Bake at 175 C (350 F) until deep golden, tenting with foil if it browns too quickly.
    _38 min_

**Tip:** Dip apple slices in honey alongside it. Shana tova!

## Tips for a beautiful spiral

 * Make the rope thicker in the middle, so the center of the spiral is domed rather
   than flat.
 * Tuck the tail firmly underneath, or it will unwind as it rises.
 * Bake it on a lined tray, and tent with foil if the top browns before the center
   is done.
 * Fold in raisins at the end of kneading, so they do not tear the dough.

Planning a baking day for the holiday? Start a [challah bake](https://www.challahbake.org/dashboard/#/bakes/new)
and invite friends to braid together. Looking for the shape? See our [braiding guide](https://www.challahbake.org/resource/how-to-braid-challah/).