How to Make Challah Bread

How to make bread .

Making .

This braided egg bread from scratch is worth the effort .

You will need one and a quarter cups of warm water , 3.5 cups of unbleached , all purpose flour , two teaspoons of active dry yeast .

A third of a cup of sugar , a quarter of a cup of vegetable oil , four eggs and one teaspoon of salt .

Optional honey and one tablespoon of poppy seeds .

Step one mix the warm water , quarter cup of flour and the yeast together in a large bowl and let it stand for 10 to 20 minutes until it begins to foam and puff up .

Step two whisk in the sugar oil , three eggs and salt .

You can substitute a quarter cup of honey for the sugar .

Step three , add in the rest of the flour one cup at a time time .

Kneading it in with your hands .

Once the mixture thickens need for about five minutes until smooth adding flour .

If it's too sticky .

Put the dough in a clean bowl , cover it with plastic wrap and let it rise until the dough has doubled in size .

About two hours .

Step four , punch the dough down and transfer it to a lightly floured surface need for about five minutes .

Adding flour if needed .

Step five , divide the dough into three equal parts and roll each piece into an approximately nine inch long rope braid , the three ropes together and pinch the ends together to seal .

Step six .

Put the braid on a greased baking sheet cover with a dish cloth and let it rise until it has doubled in size .

The dough should stay dented when you poke it instead of springing back into place .

Step seven , preheat the oven to 325 degrees .

Fahrenheit beat the remaining egg and brush it on top of the bread , Sprinkle with poppy seeds .

If you like step eight , bake for 30 to 40 minutes until the bread is golden brown .

Test for doneness by taking it out of the oven and wrapping it on the bottom with your knuckles .

If it sounds hollow , it's ready .

If the top is browning too fast .

Tent it with foil .

Step nine cool .

At least one hour before slicing if you have any leftover , use it for French toast in the morning .

Did you know loaves are shaped into spirals for the celebration of the Jewish New Year .