CHALLAH BREAD
Ingredients
- 1 cup water warmed to 90F
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
- 4 1/2 to 5 cups all-purpose flour unbleached
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tbs light flavored olive oil or canola oil,
- 2 eggs
- 1 egg yolk (save the egg white for the egg wash)
To Top
- 1 egg white beaten with 1 Tbsp water (from the 1 yolk above)
- poppy seed or sesame seeds (optional)
Instructions
- Place the warm water in a large bowl. Add the sugar and mix to dissolve. Sprinkle the yeast over top of the water and let it stand for 10-15 minutes until the yeast starts to foam.
- Add 2 cups of flour and the salt to the yeast mixture. Mix well. Add the oil, eggs and egg yolk and stir to mix.
- Add the remaining flour ½ cup at a time, stirring after each addition, until a soft dough comes together.
- Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and begin to knead by hand, adding flour as necessary, until the dough is smooth, soft and slightly tacky (but not sticky), 7-10 minutes. (Alternately, mix the dough in a stand mixer using a dough hook. Knead with the dough hook for 2-3 minutes.)
- Transfer the soft dough to a clean, greased bowl. Cover with a damp tea towel and place the bowl in a warm, draft-free place to rise for 2 hours.
- Punch down the dough and divide it into 3 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a ball and roll each ball into a rope. Pinch the three ropes together at one end and braid them, being sure to pinch the other end to seal the braid when finished.
- Place the braided loaf on a parchment paper lined baking sheet.
- Prepare your egg wash and brush the loaf with the wash. Top with seeds as desired.
- Let the bread rise for 25-30 minutes, until puffy.
- Preheat your oven to 375F
- When the dough has finished proofing, brush it with another coating of egg wash, if desired, and place it in the oven. Bake for 25-30 minutes, turning the pan 180? halfway through cooking time. (If you want a very even and glossy crust, brush the loaf with a little more egg wash when you turn the pan.)
- The loaf is done when it is golden and sounds hollow if you tap it, (If you have an instant-read thermometer, you can take it out when it hits an internal temperature of 180 degrees.)
- Remove the loaf from the baking sheet and let cool on a wire rack.
Notes
CHALLAH BREAD
Jewish braided bread, Challah, is light and fluffy egg bread with a glowing crust. It is perfect for special celebrations, weeknight dinners, and everything in between. Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!