CHALLAH bread (with or without a bread machine)

Important notes:

1. Make sure ALL your ingredients are room-temperature or slightly warm.  Melting the butter is a good idea.  Warm the bread machine pan by filling it with hot water (pour out the water after the pan is warmed)

2.  Make sure you put all your wet ingredients (including the butter) at the bottom, and the dry ingredients on top.  The yeast is put on top at the very last.

3. Wait until the bread is completely cooled before cutting to prevent moisture loss.

PREHEAT OVEN TO 350 degrees.

Ingredients for the bread:

1 1/8 cup warm water

2 eggs, beaten, room temperature

3 tablespoons butter

4 and 1/4 cups bread flour

4 tablespoons sugar

1 and 1/2 teaspoons salt

raisins (optional)

one packet fast-rise yeast (best to make sure the yeast is not too old.  The fresher the better).

Ingredients for the glaze:

Beat one egg with one tablespoon water and 2 teaspoons sugar. You will later "paint" this glaze on the dough.

Instructions to make the challah with a bread machine (and how to use the machine for kneading and rising, if you want to braid the bread).

For the bread machine, be sure to put the wet ingredients (including the melted butter) at the bottom of the pan.  Set your machine for “basic” or “white” bread for baking.

IF YOU ARE INCLUDING RAISINS or other ingredients:  Wait until the bread machine gives the signal to “add ingredients.”  Check your manual.

IF YOU WANT TO BRAID YOUR CHALLAH:  remove the dough after the “first rise,” and knead the dough slightly to remove gas bubbles.  (Many machines have either settings for stopping after first rise, or a beeping alarm to let you know when.  Check your manual.)

Divide dough into three pieces and roll into long logs.  Braid the three pieces (pinch and shape the ends together to hold).

Then, put braided dough in warm spot (like a slightly warm oven) for 30 minutes to let the bread rise again.

Then, use a basting paint brush or other clean painting brush, paint the glaze on the dough.

Instructions to make the challah without a bread machine:

Mix all bread ingredients well (not the glaze ingredients, which come later).  Google how long to mix and knead bread and how long to let it sit a while to rise for the “first rise” if you don’t already know about bread-making.

After the “first rise”, knead dough slightly to remove gas bubbles. 

Divide dough into three pieces and roll into long logs.  Braid the three pieces (pinch ends together to hold).

Then, put braided dough in warm spot (like slightly warm oven) for 30 minutes to let the bread rise again.

Then, use a basting paint brush or other clean painting brush, paint the glaze on the dough.

Finally, bake at 350 for 25 minutes or until dark, golden brown.

Bread will be big, beautiful, with a delicious crust.

Wait until cool to cut to prevent moisture loss.