How do I make a really good challah?!
Answers: I've tried different variations, from nine eggs to two, with saffron and without. It's just me, my hands, and my ingredients. I want it soft, buttery, eggy, and with a soft, delicate crust. How do I make the ultimate challah?
Very Buttery Challah
2 1/2 Sticks Butter -- melted
2 pk Yeast
2 c Water -- warm
7 c Flour -- unbleached
4 ts Salt
3 Egg -- beaten
1/2 c Sugar
2 Egg -- beaten
Poppy Seeds -- -optional-
Sesame Seeds -- -optional-
Dissolve yeast in warm water. Beat 3 eggs in a large mixing bowl; add salt,
sugar, dissolved yeast, and butter. To this mixture, add 4 cups of the
flour (all at once). Stir in the flour and continue to add 3 more cups of
flour until the dough is of a soft consistency. Knead the dough on a
floured board until the dough is no longer sticky and is springy to the
touch. Place the dough in a greased mixing bowl and cover with a towel. Let
rise 1 1/2 hours, or until doubled in bulk. Punch down the dough, knead it
a little, and divide it in 6 pieces. Roll each piece with your hands so
they become long, skinny ropes. Braid 3 ropes, pinching the ends together.
Repeat the process with the other 3 ropes. Place each braided loaf on it`s
own greased cookie sheet, cover with a towel, and let rise about an hour-
until doubled in bulk. Brush the loaves with the 2 beaten eggs, sprinkle
with poppy seeds or sesame seeds (optional). DO NOT PRE-HEAT OVEN- Bake in
a 350F degree oven about 45 minutes, until the bread is golden-brown.
i hope someone will help you, and I ...... anyone ??
This one has always worked well for me:
FAST RISING CHALLAH
1/2 c. light brown sugar
1/2 c. vegetable oil
1 TB. salt
2 c. hot water
2 packages active dry yeast
1/2 c. lukewarm water
1 TB. sugar
4 eggs
8-10 c. flour
Combine brown sugar, oil, salt & water in large mixing bowl; stir to blend. Dissolve yeast in lukewarm water with 1 TB. sugar. Beat 4 eggs. Add eggs and yeast to first mixture; blend well. Gradually work in enough flour tomake a soft dough. Turn out onto floured board and knead until smooth & elastic, and your fingers pull out clean from dough. Wash large mixing bowl with warm water; oil well and place dough in bowl. Turn to oil all sides. Cover with wet towel and place bowl in a pan of warm water to rise quickly. when doubled, removed from bowl, punch down and divide into 4 portions. Divide each portion into 3 pieces. Roll each piece into a long, thin roll. Braid 3 pieces together, beginning at middle of dough. Arrange in well oil 9x5x3" loaf pan. Repeat with remaining dough. Let rise until doubled. Brush each with beaten egg generously and sprinkle with sesame or poppyseeds. Bake at 350 for 1 hr, or until done. Turn out onto wire rack to cool....... Enjoy!