Challah (Egg Bread) Ingredients
- 4 1/2 to 5 1/2 cups unsifted flour
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1 package yeast (about 1 tbsp dry yeast)
- 1/3 cup butter
- 1 cup very hot tap water
- 4 eggs
- 1 tsp cold water
- poppy seeds
Spoon mix 1-1/2 cups flour, sugar, salt, yeast. Drop in margarine. Gradually add very hot water to above. Mix 2 minutes at medium speed. Add 3 eggs plus 1 egg white and 1/2 cup flour. Mix 2 minutes at high speed. Stir in rest of flour to make soft dough (spoon stir). Knead 8-10 minutes untll smooth and elastic, not lumpy and shiny quality. Cover in bowl (grease bowl and turn the dough over once) 1 hour. Then punch it down, and shape it. On greased cookie sheet, let it rise uncovered for one hour after initial shaping spread on top a mixture of the egg yolk and cold water, Shape into simple rolls placed side by side. Or divide dough into three sections, roll into long strips (tapered at ends) and braid. Sprinkle on poppy seeds. Bake in 400° F. oven for 30 minutes.
