Challah Bread

Look at those cute little fingertips trying to grab those dough snakes!

What is Challah?  Challah or hallah is a traditional Jewish bread eaten on Shabbat and Jewish holidays (except Passover, when leavened bread is not allowed). This association with Judaism is most prevalent in the United States, as challah is also a traditional bread in numerous European countries, such as Hungary, among local non-Jewish peasant populations.

What is Challah at our house?  Good eats!  Last night when I made the Challah, after I brushed it with the egg, I sprinkle garlic salt all over it.  I usually sprinkle it with sesame or poppy seeds, but we were having pasta and garlic just seemed the right thing to do.  This bread is slightly sweet and so soft.  The Rowdy Rooster declares it his favorite bread.

Ingredients:

• 1-1/4 cups warm water
• 1/2 T. yeast
• 1/8 cup honey
• 2 T. vegetable oil
• 1 egg
• 1 t. salt
• 4 cups flour
• 1 egg, beaten
• Sesame or poppy seeds

In the bowl of your stand mixer combine the water and honey.  Sprinkle the yeast on top and let stand for 5 minutes. Add the oil, egg, flour and salt.  Using your dough hook, knead for 5 minutes. Shape into a ball and place back into your mixer bowl. Cover and let rise for 1-1/2 hours.  Spray a cookie sheet with nonstick spray. Now divide your dough into three pieces.  Roll each piece between your hands forming long snakes  :O), the length of your cookie sheet.  Laying the three snakes next to each other on prepared cookie sheet, pinch all three ends together.  Now just braid the three pieces until you get to the end and pinch together.  Really easy and looks so awesome when done.  Cover and let rise for another 45 minutes. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Once the braid has risen, beat the egg.  Brush the egg wash very carefully over the bread so that I doesn't fall. Sprinkle with topping of your choice.  Bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown. There is an endless list of toppings:  sesame seeds, poppy seeds, garlic salt, cinnamon and sugar, whatever you have a hankering for.