Famous Challah

Total Time: 3 hrs 35 mins

Challah

3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 (1/4 ounce) packages dry yeast
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 tablespoon salt
1/2 cup sugar
2 cups warm water (80 -90)

Glaze

1 egg, beaten
poppy seeds (optional) or sesame seed (optional)

Directions:

1  First measure out all your ingredients.
2  Now from the 1/2 of cup sugar take 1 tablespoon of the sugar & combine it with the yeast& warm water (you know you have the right temperature of warm water when it's the same temperature as the inside of your wrist).
3  I let my mixer bowl which is metal (kitchen aid) sit in a hot water bath while the yeast dissolves, 10 minutes.
4  After the yeast has dissolved (it's nice & foamy) add to it the rest of the sugar, salt & 3 1/2 cups flour.
5  Mix well (I use the bread hook).
6  Add egg (already beaten) & oil.
7  Slowly start mixing in most of the remaining 3 1/2 cups of flour.
8  The dough will become quite thick.
9  When the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl, turn it onto a floured surface& knead for approximately 10 minute.
10  Add only enough additional flour to make dough manageable.
11  Knead until dough has acquired a "life of its own"; it should be smooth & elastic, springing back when pressed lightly with your fingertip.
12  Place dough into a large oiled bowl turning the dough once so its oiled on all sides.
13  Cover with a damp towel & let rise in a warm place for 2 hours, punching down in 4-5 places every 20 minutes.
14  Now, I always write down what time I started so I don't forget when the 2 hours are up & set a timer every 20 minutes. (In the summer I let the dough rise on my balcony & in the winter in front of my oven where something is always baking, turning it every time I punch down the dough).
15  After the 2 hours, turn your dough onto your working surface.
16  Now comes the forming part.
17  For Shabbos I always make a 2 level braided challah which looks great & is really easy.
18  Prepare your baking sheet lining it with parchment paper.
19  Preheat oven to 375°F.
20  First, take a large knife & cut the dough in half.
21  Next, from each 1/2 now cut off a third & place the 2 thirds on the side.
22  Now, from the first half (where you've removed a third) divide the remaining dough into approximately equal thirds.
23  Roll each third out till its about 10-12 inches (I'm guessing I never measured it) & braid all 3 roll together pinching the top & bottom half together& turning them slightly under.
24  Place on baking sheet.
25  Repeat the same for other half.
26  Now take the first third you removed earlier& divide in 3, braid just like you did before& place on top of the already braided challah.
27  Repeat same for other third.
28  Now let the challah rise for 1/2 an hour.
29  After the challah has risen glaze with beaten egg & add mohn or sesame if you wish.
30  Almost done!
31  Put in preheated oven & let bake for exactly 25 minutes!
32  Turn off oven & leave Challahs in for exactly another 10 minutes!
33  Remove from oven.
34  Enjoy--you deserve every compliment you get!

Read more at: http://www.food.com/recipe/famous-challah-90765?oc=linkback