Chocolate Chip Challah Bread
- 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 2/3 cup warm water
- 1 tsp honey
- 1/3 cup olive oil, extra virgin
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 large eggs
- 500 grams all-purpose flour
- 8 tbsp all-purpose flour, as needed
- 1 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1 large egg, beaten
- Proof the yeast.
- In your stand mixer bowl, combine the following ingredients.
- Make sure the water is lukewarm.
- Test water against the back of your hand.
- Too much heat will kill the yeast.
- Leave in bowl for about 5 minutes, or until the yeast is foamy, like a beer's head.
- Add the following, then whisk until egg yolks are incorporated.
- Set your bowl on the mixer with the dough hook attachment.
- Add the flour and salt.
- Set mixer on the slowest setting then set to second to slowest.
- Let mixer do its thing and incorporate the ingredients together and knead the dough.
- Depending on the humidity, you may have to add several tablespoons of flour.
- The dough should be a little bit tacky, like the adhesive on the back of a Post-It.
- When the dough is on your hook and the sides of your bowl is clean, it's time for hand kneading.
- Turn on your oven to the lowest setting (120 to 170F F), then turn it off once it reaches the temperature.
- Dust your surface with flour, and knead dough until it springs back slowly when you poke it with your finger.
- Roll the dough into a neat ball.
- In your mixer bowl, add two or three tablespoons of olive oil.
- Using your kneaded dough, spread the oil around the bowl and lightly coat the dough with oil.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a damp towel, and keep in the oven for the first rise for about 1 hour.
- Clean your workspace.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- Take the bowl out of the oven.
- The dough should be double in size or more after an hour.
- Punch the dough down and cover.
- Place back in the oven for another 1 hour for the second rise.
- After the second rise, take dough out of the bowl on your lightly floured work surface.
- Punch the air out of the dough, then roll into a tight log.
- Preheat oven to 375F Fahrenheit.
- Form the dough into your preferred shape.
- Challah is traditionally braided, but you can shape the dough to any shape that works for you.
- For braiding instructions, look up The Bread Kitchen's braiding instructions on YouTube.
- Put the braided dough on the baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Brush with egg, then lightly cover with plastic wrap.
- Let formed bread dough rise for 30 minutes to an hour.
- Before putting back in the oven, brush with the remaining egg wash, then sprinkle sea salt.
- You can also sprinkle poppy or sesame seeds.
- Bake at 375F Fahrenheit until bread registers at 175F Fahrenheit inside for 30 to 45 minutes.
- Times may be shorter for smaller loaves.
- Cool on cooling racks, covered with a tea towel.
- Slice with a serrated knife and enjoy!
active dry yeast, water, honey, olive oil, honey, eggs, flour, salt, chocolate chips, egg
Taken from cookpad.com/us/recipes/361209-chocolate-chip-challah-bread (may not work)