Four Strand Challah

There are two different ways to do a four strand challah braid. In both versions, start out by dividing the dough into four equal balls.

 

Version A:

Step 1a: Roll out the balls and pinch together at the top. The strands are labeled right to left, the same way Hebrew is read

 Step 2a: Place strand #1 over strand #2

 Step 3a: Bring strand #3 all the way to the right, over both strand #1 and #2

Step 4a: Bring strand #4 over strand #1. This is the same as step 3 except starting from the left side

Step 5a: Place strand #2 over strand #1 and #4. Again, the same thing as step 4, except from the left side

Version B:

Step 1b: Same as above, roll out the balls and pinch together at the top. The strands are labeled right to left, the same way Hebrew is read

Step 2b: Again the same, place strand #1 over strand #2

Step 3b: This step is different. Bring Strand #4 over strand #3 and #1

Final Step: Repeat the previous steps. For version A this would be 1a-5a and for version B 1b-3b.

Version B has less steps so it may be a little easier. However, version A is more dimensional while version B is flat. When finished, tuck the ends underneath the challah to create a cleaner look. We usually smush the challah together to make it shorter and fatter (B is smushed, A isn't).

Version A

Version B