Challa Recipe

INGREDIENTS:
2 1/4 cup of Water

1/4 cup of Oil
1 tablespoon of Yeast (active),

2 Eggs, beaten
10 cup of Flour (or less)
1 tablespoon of Sugar

1 Egg yolk
1 tablespoon of Salt (optional)

1 tablespoon of Water
DIRECTIONS:
Dissolve the yeast and sugar in lukewarm water (105 degrees F.). (Lukewarm
water feels neither hot nor cold when a drop is placed on your wrist.) Let
sit for 10 minutes to proof the yeast. If there are no bubbles in the
water after this time, the yeast is inactive and you should start over with
new yeast.
Add the salt (optional), oil, eggs and most of the flour to the 2 1/4 cups
of water. Mix. Place dough on floured board and knead for 5-10 minutes.
Place dough in a clean bowl, brush some oil on the top (optional) and cover
the bowl with a towel. Let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 1/2
hours.
Punch the dough down and let rise until doubled again (maybe another hour).
Punch dough down and place onto floured board. Form into two loaves. You
can make normal loaves, or you can cut the dough and braid (with three or
six pieces per loaf), or you can make braided or un-braided rolls, or you
can roll the dough out until it's about 1/4 inch thick and then spread.
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fried onions over it. Place loaves into oiled pans.
Cover pans and let rise for about 30 minutes. (Skip this step if you've
rolled the dough out and covered with onions.)
Mix the egg yolk with about 1 tablespoon of water. Brush loaves with this
mixture. (Again, skip this if you've rolled the dough out.) Bake at 400
degrees F. for 20 minutes, then lower heat to 350 degrees F. and bake for
40 additional minutes. If you are making rolls, you probably need to bake
for a total of 20-25 minutes.
You can add poppy or sesame seeds to the dough, or you can sprinkle the
seeds on top. This bread is traditionally made with white flour, but is
still good if made with all or part whole wheat flour. I think its good
taste comes from the oil and eggs in the dough.
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