Challah Bread

Total time: ~2.5 hours Active time: ~30 minutes

Yield: 2 loaves or 4 small loaves of challah bread

Ingredients:

1 package fresh yeast (2 1/4 tsp)

1 1/2 cup warm water
2/3 cup + a pinch of sugar

1/3 cup oil

6 eggs total (dough: 3 eggs plus 1 egg yolk, wash: 1 egg plus 1 egg yolk)

2 1/4 tsp salt

6-7 cups flour

Instructions:

1. Crumble yeast into large mixing bowl with a pinch of sugar and the water.

2. Once dissolved, stir in oil, sugar, eggs, egg yolk and salt. Blend well. Fold in most of flour.

3. Knead dough until smooth and satiny. Cover or place in a large plastic bag until doubled (about an hour). 

4. To make two loaves, split the dough into two balls and separate each ball into three ropes about 14 inches long. Braid as desired. Or you can make one loaf with a six-strand braid or even four small loaves. (YouTube video for six-strand instructions).

4. Mix 1 egg plus egg yolk and brush onto loaves. Allow to rest about 30 minutes or until double in size.

5. Preheat oven to 350. Apply the egg wash again right before baking. Bake 35-45 minutes.

Source: My professor from Austria