Challah Bread

 

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

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Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cup warm water
• 1 packet yeast
• 1/4 cup honey
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1/4 cup oil
• 1 egg, 2 egg yolks
• 1/2 tablespoon salt
• 4 1/2 cups flour

Instructions

1. Proof the yeast in the water with the sugar in your mixing bowl. When it starts to bubble, add the honey, eggs and oil. Mix together.
2. Add the flour and salt to the mixture. Using a dough hook mix until the mixture comes together. You may need to add a little additional flour if the dough seems too tacky.
3. Continue to beat the dough with the dough hook until the dough is smooth and satiny looking.
4. Put dough in a greased bowl and cover. Let dough rise until doubled. Punch down and let dough rise a second time.
5. Divide dough in half. Divide each piece into 3 pieces. Roll into a 12 inch rope. Braid the 3 pieces of dough together. Place on a greased baking sheet and repeat with second piece of dough. Cover and let raise until doubled.
6. If desired brush a little heavy cream on top of the loaves before baking or do an egg wash with 1 egg and a couple of tablespoons water if you want the tops shiny. You can also sprinkle with sesame or poppy seeds if desired.
7. Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes. Check at 25 minutes. When loaves are done remove to a wire rack to cool.