Challah

Author: JoAnn Baumann
tags: #recipe #personal #bread
Traditional Jewish enriched bread
Servings: 1-3 loaves
Prep Time: 45 Minutes Plus rise time
Cook Time: 30 Minutes
Ingredients
| Amount | Amount | Amount | Ingredient | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 T | 2 T | 3 T | yeast | |
| 1/2 T | 1 T | 1 T | sugar | for blooming yeast |
| 7/8 Cups | 1 3/4 Cups | 2 1/2 Cups | water | 110 degrees warm |
| 1 tsp | 2 tsp | 1 T | salt | |
| 2 | 3 | 4 | egg yolks | |
| 3 T | 1/3 Cups | 1/2 Cups | vegetable oil | |
| 1/4 Cups | 1/2 Cups | 3/4 Cups | sugar | for dough |
| 2.5-3 Cups | 5-6 Cups | 7-8 Cups | bread flour |
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine warm water, yeast, and the smaller amount of listed sugar.
- Set aside to grow.
- In about 5 minutes when the mixture is bubbly and puffy, add sugar, salt, egg yolks, oil, and all but 1/2 Cup of the flour.
- Mix with a wooden spoon until the mass comes together.
- Add more flour gradually if necessary (if the dough seems to sticky).
- Take the bough out of the bowl and knead on a lightly floured countertop.
- Knead dough for about 10 minutes or until smooth and elastic.
- Place dough in a clean bowl and cover with plastic wrap.
- Set aside in a warm place until it doubles in size.
- This should take about 1 to 1.5 hours.
- Shape dough into loaves or braids.
- The recipe will make 1, 2, 3 loaves depending on the amount column chosen. If you want smaller loaves the second column could make 2 loaves, and the third column could make 3 loaves.
- Places shaped loaves on a greased baking sheet and cover with a clean dish towel.
- Place in a warm place to double again.
- About 1 to 1.5 hours
- When close to the end of the rise time, preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Brush top of bread with some of the leftover egg white
- Bake for 30 minutes or until nicely browned.
Here is a video on how to braid a challah - https://youtu.be/O5R6DAHI8LA?si=qdYAbHx3DD4fckE3