Yield: 4 loaves

Ingredients:

Poppy or sesame seeds (optional)
9 1/4 cups (1 1/3 kg) King Arthur Bread flour or unbleached pre-sifted All Purpose Flour
4 eggs, beaten, plus 2 yolks or 1 whole egg for glazing (a small or med. Egg from a Bantam will do, I add a tiny bit of milk sometimes)
1 Tablespoon salt
1/2 cup (100g) sugar (Add a bit more if you like sweet bread)
2 1/4 cups (500 ml) lukewarm water (no warmer than 115 degrees on a thermometer!)
2 Tablespoons dry yeast
1/2 cup (125 ml) vegetable oil
Add 1 cup lightly sautéed onions and diced Jalapeno peppers for some variety and zing to your toast!
You can also add into the dough recipe 1Cup grated Cheddar Cheese before you do the first rising.

Cooking Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350F (180C)

Dissolve the yeast in the water with 1 teaspoon of the sugar. Beat well and leave 10 minutes, until it froths making the “sponge” (If using a mixer do not mix the dough for too long as this will affect the texture by making the bread a bit tough.)

In a very large bowl, lightly beat the eggs.

Add the salt, sugar, and oil and beat again.

Add the frothy yeast mixture and beat well.

Add the flour gradually, and just enough to make a soft dough that holds together mixing well, first with a large spoon, then working it in with your hands.

Knead vigorously for about 15 minutes, until it is very smooth and elastic, adding flour if the dough is too sticky.

Pour a little oil in the bowl and turn the dough, so that it is greased all over. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and put it in a warm place to rise for 2-3 hours, or until it has doubled in bulk.

Punch the dough down and knead again, then divide into four pieces to make 4 loaves. Traditionally in Europe or in Jewish Households, this bread is made braided; you can put it into a large loaf pan instead if you so desire.

To make round challah: Take 1 piece of dough, roll it between your palms, and pull it out into a long fat rope about 18 inches (46 cm) long and 2 inches (5 cm) thick – a little fatter at one end. Take the fatter end and put it in the middle of an oiled baking sheet, then coil the rest of the rope around it like a snail. Continue with the remaining 3 pieces.

To make braided challah with 3 strands: Divide 1 piece of the dough into 3. Roll each piece between your palms and pull into long thin ropes about 18 inches (46 cm) long and 1 1/4 inches (3 cm) wide. Pinch 1 end of all the strands together and plait them: bring the rope on the right over the middle one, then bring the one on the left over it and continue to the end. Pinch the ends together and tuck them under the loaf. You may find it, easier to begin plaiting in the middle of the 3 strands and plait towards the 2 ends. Continue with the remaining 3 pieces.

Place the 4 loaves on well oiled baking sheets, leaving plenty of room for them to expand, then leave to rise for 1 hour, or until doubled in bulk.

Brush gently with the beaten egg yolks.

If you want to sprinkle with poppy or sesame seeds, brush first with the whole beaten egg (the seeds stick better if the white is there too).

Bake in oven for 30 40 minutes or until the loaves are beautifully golden-brown. If in doubt allow a little more time to ensure the bread is done in the center. (You can turn off the oven and let the bread sit there with the temp. getting lower until the oven is just warm about 180 degrees)They are done if they sound hollow when you tap the bottoms.

This bread makes delicious toast and French toast.

Recipe Pictures:

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