Challah

Each Saturday I make Challah bread for communion at our church the following Sunday. I`ve been making it for church about 3 years now. After entering some in the state fair when I was 14 I received best of show for my age group.

So here`s here`s the recipe, I hope you all enjoy making it as well as I do!

Challah
3/4 cup warm water(105 to 115 degrees F)
1 pkg. active dry yeast
1tsp. plus 1/4c. sugar
3 large eggs,lightly beaten
1/4cup vegetable oil
1 tsp. salt
about 4 1/4 cups all purpose flour ( I usually end up needing less)

1. In large bowl combine warm water, yeast and 1 tsp. sugar; stir to let dissolve. Let stand until foamy about 5 min. Measure 1 Tlb beaten egg into small cup; cover and refridgerate. Add remaining eggs, oil, remaining sugar, salt amd 2 cups flour to yeast mixture, with wodden spoon, beat well. Stir in enough flour (about 1 3/4 cups) to make soft dough.

2. Turn onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic ,about 8min. working in enough of remaining flour just to keep dough from sticking.

3. Shape dough into a ball, and place in a greased large bowl, turning dough to grease top. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place ( 80 to 85 degrees F.) until doubled about 1hr.

4. Punch down dough, Grease a large cookie sheet. Turn out dough onto a lightly floured surface and cut two-thirds of dough into 3 equal pieces. With hand roll each piece into a 13 inch long rope.Place ropes side by side on cookie sheet; braid ropes, pinching ends to seal. Cut remaining third into three equal pieces. With hands roll each into a 14 inch rope. Place ropes side by side and braid together pinching end to seal. Place small braid on top of large braid. Tuck ends of small braid under bottom to seal, stretching if necessary. Cover and let rise about 45min. ( I usually just have to let it rise as I heat up the oven.)

5. Meanwhile preheat oven to 375 degress F. Brush reserved beaten egg over the top of loaf( I like to use melted butter instead, it gives the top a more rustic look) Bake until browned and loaf sounds hollow when tapped on bottom 30 to 35 min. Transfer to wire rack to cool completely. Makes 1 loaf, 12 slices.