From Lisa Katz,
Your Guide to Judaism.
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Definition:

Challah is a loaf of yeast-leavened egg bread that is traditionally eaten by Jews on the Sabbath, holidays, and other ceremonial occasions.

Challah Bread

Challah is often, but not always, braided. On some Jewish holidays (like Rosh Hashanah), round challot are traditionally served. Some challah loaves are sprinkled with poppy or sesame seeds, and some challot are baked with raisins inside. There are a variety of challah recipes.

Challah in Jewish Ritual

Two loaves of challah (challot) are placed on the Sabbath and holiday table. Two loaves are used in commemoration of the double portion of manna that was provided on Friday to the Israelites in the desert following the Exodus from Egypt (Exodus 16:4-30). The two loaves remind Jews that God will provide for their material needs, even if they refrain from working on the Sabbath day.

The HaMotzi blessing is recited over the bread.

Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha'olam, hamotzi lechem min ha'aretz

Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the universe, who brings forth bread from the earth.

Challah Tithe

The term challah also refers to a small piece of dough that is traditionally separated from the rest of the dough before baking. This piece of dough is separated in memory of the portion of dough that was set aside as a tithe for the Jewish priests (Kohanim) in biblical times.

Alternate Spellings: hallah