I wanted to try a fluffy white bread and picked Challah because Galit has a fondness for it.
Challah
Challah is a feature of Friday night meals in Jewish families. It is an enriched bread dough with eggs, honey and oil in the mixture. The result is a light crumb with a hint of sweetness.
Ingredients
- 200 ml water
- 2 teaspoons active dried yeast
- 500 grams strong white flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 medium eggs beaten
- 2 teaspoons runny honey
- 65 mls oil or 55 grams melted butter
- egg glaze 1 egg yolk beaten with 1 tablespoon of water and optional instant coffee
- [Optional] 2 teaspoons poppy seeds
Instructions
- Sprinkle the yeast into the water in a small bowl. Leave for 5 minutes. Stir to dissolve.
- Mix flour and salt together in a large bowl.
- Make a well in the centre and pour in the yeasted water.
- Using a wooden spoon draw enough flour into the water to make a soft paste.
- Cover and leave to "sponge" until frothy and risen (about 20 minutes).
- Beat eggs in a small bowl
- Add eggs, honey and oil to the flour well.
- Mix altogether to form a soft dough.
- Turn dough onto lightly floured surface.
- Knead until smooth, shiny, and elastic (about 10 minutes).
- Put the dough in an oiled bowl, turning to coat the dough.
- Cover and leave to rise until doubled in size (about 2 hours, or up to 24 hours if in the fridge).
- Knock back. Rest for 10 minutes.
- Shape into a plait or spiral
- Place on a oiled baking sheet.
- Cover and prove until doubled in size (about 45-60 minutes).
- Brush with the egg glaze.
- Sprinkle with poppy seeds, if that is your thing. Personally I'm not a fan but Galit likes them.
- Bake in the preheated oven at 180° C until richly golden and hollow sounding (about 45 minutes).
- Cool on a wire rack.
Notes
How to shape into a plait:
- Divide into 3 equal pieces.
- Roll each piece into a 40 cm long rope.
- Tapir the ends of each rope.
- Plait the ropes.
- Roll into 50 cm long rope.
- Coil into a snail.
- Tuck the end under.