Challah
- 78 cup warm water
- 23 cup honey (local honey is best)
- 14 cup unsalted butter or 14 cup canola oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 whole eggs
- 4 -4 12 cups bread flour
- 2 teaspoons bread machine yeast
- 1 egg yolk
- put the 1st 5 ingredients in the bread machine.
- layer on 4 cups of the flour.
- add the yeast on top.
- start the bread machine on the dough only setting.
- after the machine starts to mix the dough, check the dough to see if it is sticky; if so sprinkle on additional flour (up to 1/2 cup).
- when the dough cycle is over, divide the dough into two equal parts; divide each 1/2 into three equal parts; roll the thirds out and then braid; repeat with the other 1/2.
- place your braided loaves on a greased backing sheet and allow to rise for 45 minutes in a warm, draft free place (your oven works well).
- remove the risen loaves from the oven.
- preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
- mix the egg yolk with a few drops of water and glaze the loaves; if you want you can add sesame or poppy seeds to the top of the bread.
- return the loaves to the oven and bake for 25 minutes; the loaves will be golden brown.
- remove the loaves from the oven and cool on a wire rack before serving.
- you may also divide the dough into halves and form into loaves to bake in a traditional loaf pan; you can also choose to glaze or not; same cooking time; remove from loaf pans before cooling.
water, honey, unsalted butter, salt, eggs, bread machine yeast, egg yolk
Taken from www.food.com/recipe/challah-288084 (may not work)