Shabbat Challah

Description

My Shabbat Challah is something out of this world. I made it up on my own, because the ones I tasted, I just didn’t like. Try it you will love it!! This can make 6 regular sized loaves, or two large braided loaves.

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons active dry yeast
  • 4 cups warm water
  • 2 tablespoons salt
  • ½ cup white sugar
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 4 eggs
  • 12 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 egg
  • 3 tablespoons water
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla sugar, or vanilla extract
  • ¼ cup sesame seeds

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl
  2. sprinkle the yeast over the water. Let stand for about 5 minutes to dissolve the yeast. Stir in the salt
  3. sugar
  4. oil and 4 eggs until well blended. Gradually mix in the flour. When the dough becomes too stiff to stir
  5. turn it out onto a floured surface and knead for 8 to 10 minutes. Place dough underneath the bowl to rise until double. Or
  6. you can place the dough in the bowl
  7. and cover with a towel.
  8. Punch down the dough
  9. and divide into 6 or 8 even pieces depending on what shape you want. Remember to take a small piece off and make a blessing (Jewish law). Roll the pieces into ropes. Braid into two loaves
  10. or one really big 6 piece braid – but only if your oven is large enough. Or
  11. you can make the spiral shape challahs out of each rope. Tuck the ends under
  12. and place on a baking sheet to rise until your finger leaves a small dent when you gently poke the bread.
  13. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Whisk together the remaining egg
  14. water and vanilla sugar. Brush over the tops of the loaves. Sprinkle sesame seeds over the top.
  15. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes in the preheated oven
  16. until the bread is deep golden brown. Wrap the small piece of dough that was blessed in aluminum foil
  17. and burn in the oven as an offering while the other loaves are baking.

Prep Time: 45 mins

Cook Time: 45 mins

Total Time: 1 hr 30 mins

Servings: 60

Leave a Comment