Ingredients for The Challah Lady's Heavenly Challah
- Bread Flour
- 1 cup warm water (105-115°F)
- Fresh Yeast
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar (plus ½ cup additional)
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- Kosher Salt
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How to Make The Challah Lady's Heavenly Challah
- In a large bowl, dissolve 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast in 1 cup warm water (105-115°F) with 1 tablespoon granulated sugar. Let stand until foamy (about 5-10 minutes).
- Add ½ cup granulated sugar and ¼ cup vegetable oil to the yeast mixture. Stir to combine.
- Whisk in 2 large eggs; mix well.
- In a separate large bowl, whisk together 5 lbs bread flour and 2 teaspoons salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing with a wooden spoon or your hands until a shaggy dough forms.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes, adding extra flour (a few tablespoons at a time) until the dough is smooth and elastic but not sticky. If the dough feels too dry, add a teaspoon of water at a time.
- Lightly oil a large bowl. Place the dough in the bowl, turning to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size (about 1-1.5 hours).
- Gently punch down the dough. Divide it into 3 or 4 equal portions (depending on desired loaf size). Shape each portion into a long rope.
- Braid the ropes together or shape into desired loaves. Place loaves on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Let the loaves rise again in a warm place, covered, until almost doubled in size (about 30-45 minutes).
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Place an oven-safe dish filled with hot water on the bottom rack of the oven.
- Brush the loaves with egg wash (1 egg white beaten with 1 tablespoon of water). Sprinkle with sesame seeds or poppy seeds.
- Bake for 15 minutes at 400°F (200°C).
- Reduce oven temperature to 350°F (175°C). Remove the hot water dish. Continue baking for another 30-45 minutes, or until the challah are golden brown and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.
- Remove from oven and let cool completely on a wire rack before slicing and serving.
Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)
Sodium
88 g
Sugar
62g
Fat
10g
Carbs
63g
