Challah

This is my go-to bread. I probably make a loaf every other week (with a different bread on the “off weeks”).

Hardware

  • Typical assortment of measuring gear, bowls, wisks, and spoons
  • Stand mixer or strong arms
  • Bowl coated with olive oil
  • Cookie sheet either greased or lined with a Silpat mat.

Software

  • 2/3 Cup Warm Water
  • 2 Eggs
  • 2 tbls Vegetable Oil (I use olive oil)
  • 2 tbs Sugar
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 3 cups flour
  • 1½ tsp yeast
  • 1 egg, for glaze

Manual Process

  1. Combine water, yeast, and sugar. Let sit for 10 minutes, to form a foamy head.
  2. Put in 2 eggs, vegetable oil, salt and flour. Mix until combined.
  3. Knead until smooth. If using a stand mixer with a dough hook, five minutes (after combined) should be good (though I tend to do it a bit by hand after the five minute mark to get a sense of how it feels)
  4. Form into a ball, and put into a bowl coated with olive oil. Cover, and let rise for 45 minutes

Proceed to Final Steps

Bread Machine Process

  1. Put all ingredients (save for the egg for glaze) into the bread machine.
  2. Run in the dough cycle

Proceed to Final Steps

Final Steps

  1. Cut dough ball into three even pieces Roll each piece out to a snake about 14 inches long.
  2. Braid the pieces together.
  3. Set on prepared cookie sheet.
  4. Let rise for 45 minutes
  5. Brush with egg glaze (beaten egg)
  6. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 45 minutes.
  7. Enjoy!