Challah

by homemadetoast.blogspot.com


from homemadetoast.blogspot.com

Ingredients:
3/4 cup warm milk
1/3 cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons yeast
2 eggs + 1 yolk (save the extra egg white for an egg wash)
3 Tablespoons softened butter
3 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoons salt

1 egg white
2 teaspoons water

Directions:
1. Mix sugar into milk in a large bowl, and sprinkle yeast on top to proof.
2. Once the yeast is foamy in about 5-10 minutes add the rest of the ingredients (using only as much flour as needed), and knead until smooth.
3. Cover and let rise for about 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.
4. Punch down dough and shape into loaf on a greased or lightly-floured surface. I like to make 4 long ropes, about 25-inches long, and braid them together. You could also braid with 3 or even 5, make other shapes, or just a plain loaf. Either way, it will still taste great!
5. Cover, and let rise for another hour.
6. Preheat oven to 350-degrees. Just before baking, brush on a egg wash using the leftover egg white, mixed with 2 teaspoons of water.
7. Bake in preheated oven for 20-25 minutes.