This cinnamon challah crown with apples and pecans is simply one of the best. It’s so rich in texture, sweet, decadent and absolutely delicious. The perfect treat for upcoming Rosh Hashana!
Photo: Natalie Levin
Cinnamon Challah Crown with Apples and Pecans
For the cinnamon challah dough:
- 270 grams (2 cups minus 1 tbsp.) all-purpose flour
- 5 grams (1 tsp.) active dry yeast
- 35 ml. (2 tbsp. + 1 tsp.) milk
- 40 grams (4 tbsp.) sugar
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 40 grams (2 tbsp.) honey
- 2 large eggs
- 75 grams butter (cut into cubes)
For caramelized apples:
- 2 large Granny Smith apples
- 40 grams (4 tbsp.) sugar
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
For pecan and cinnamon filling:
- 75 grams (3/4 cup) pecans
- 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1 tbsp. all-purpose flour or cornstarch
- 60 grams (1/2 stick) cold butter (cut into cubes)
- 60 grams (6 tbsp.) light brown sugar
- Pinch of salt
- 1 egg yolk
- 2 tbsp. milk
- 50 grams (1/2 cup) coarsely chopped pecans
For brushing:
- 1 beaten egg
For glazing and decoration:
- 30-40 grams (1-2 tbsp.) honey (lightly heated)
- Slices roasted almonds
- Dough: place flour, yeast, milk, sugar, salt, honey and eggs in a mixer bowl with a kneading hook and knead for 4-5 minutes until dough is formed.
- Add in the butter gradually and continue kneading for another 4-5 minutes until it is absorbed into a uniform dough.
- Cover the dough with plastic wrap and cool overnight in the refrigerator. The dough is not supposed to double its volume, but slightly rise and that’s fine.
- Caramelized apples: peel the apples and cut into medium cubes.
- Heat a skillet over a high flame and cook the apples for a few minutes until they begin to soften slightly.
- Add sugar, lemon and vanilla, and cook until the sugar melts and the apples soften.
- Cool completely at room temperature.
- Peanut and cinnamon filling: in a food processor with a steel blade, put pecans, cinnamon and flour and blend until a thin powder is obtained.
- Add butter, sugar and salt and mix until crumbly.
- Add yolk and milk and blend until you get a uniform, thick cream.
- Assemble the cake: on a floured work surface roll the dough into a 3-4 mm thick rectangle.
- Spread a uniform layer of pecan and cinnamon cream over the dough and sprinkle with chopped pecans and caramelized apple cubes.
- Roll to a tight roll and cut it lengthwise to 2 long strips.
- Braid the 2 strips of dough in a screw shape and finally roll them around it to form a challah.
- Place the challah in a lightly greased pan, cover and allow rising for 1-2 hours or until it has risen and almost double in volume.
- Preheat the oven to 170c degrees.
- Gently brush the cake with beaten egg and bake for 35-45 minutes or until golden and set.
- Cool slightly at room temperature.
- Heat the honey and generously brush the top.
- Sprinkle with some sliced roasted almond and serve.
- The cinnamon challah is at its best on the day of baking, but it can be frozen well wrapped for up to a week.
- Instead of honey you can use Maple or date syrup in the same quantities.
- Instead of pecans, you can use any other nut you like.
Photo: Natalie Levin
Photo: Natalie Levin