Challah Bread

I love making Challah Bread.  Even on my very first attempt it came out perfect.  It is beautiful when baked and usually the first loaf is eaten as soon as it is pulled out of the oven.  Thank goodness there are two loaves.  The recipe is fairly easy and the self satisfaction of eating freshly baked bread can't be beat.  My in-laws will be in for Thanksgiving and I am passing up the normal dinner rolls for some fresh baked Challah Bread.

The are different ways to form your Challah.  I will be using three braids but check out this website on all the cool ways to form Challah.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup plus 2/3 cup warm water (110º to 115º)
• 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar
• 5 large eggs
• 1 cup vegetable oil

• 2 teaspoons salt
• 7 cups flour
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1 tablespoon water
• Sesame Seeds (Optional for Topping)

Instructions

1. Combine 1/2 cup of warm water, the yeast, and 1 tablespoon of sugar in a small bowl and stir to dissolve the yeast. Let it set in a warm spot until foamy, about 10 minutes.
   
2. Using a heavy-duty electric mixer or an electric egg beater, beat the 5 eggs until foamy. Add the dissolved yeast, oil, salt, and remaining 1 cup of sugar and beat until the mixture is pale yellow and slightly thickened, about 4 minutes.
   
3. Add 2/3 cup of warm water and beat to blend. Now add 1/2 cup of flour at a time, stirring well each time, until the dough no longer sticks to the bowl. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic (about 5 to 7 minutes), adding a tablespoon of flour at a time if it's too sticky.
   
4. Put the dough in a lightly oiled large bowl, turning it once to coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and top with a clean kitchen towel. Let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free spot until doubled, about 1 hour. Punch down the dough, cover the bowl as before, and let the dough rise 30 minutes more.
   
5. 
   Grease 2 medium baking sheets. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and divide it in half. Divide each half into 3 equal pieces and roll them into 9-inch ropes. For each loaf, braid together 3 ropes, working on a prepared baking sheet. (To shape a loaf of challah bread, arrange 3 dough ropes side by side. Then start in the center and braid out toward each end. Finally, gently pinch together the ends of the loaf to seal them.) Cover each loaf with a towel and let the dough rise until almost doubled, about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, heat the oven to 400º.
   
6. Whisk together the egg yolk and 1 tablespoon of water and lightly brush the mixture on the loaf tops. Sprinkle with sesame seeds (optional). Bake the bread for 10 minutes, then lower the oven to 350º and bake until the loaves are golden brown and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom, about 35 minutes. Makes 2 loaves.