I know a few posts ago I told you about making bread with the grandchildren – well I finally got the video to work and wanted to share it with you. Such fun – and I could not be happier!
Making bread is really easy – and so fulfilling. Here is the best recipe I have ever had for Challah ( egg bread):
- 2 1/2 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
- 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
- 1/2 cup honey or 1/2 cup of sugar
- 4 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 3 eggs
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 8 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon poppy seeds (optional) ( our children do not like them but we do!)
Directions
- In a large bowl, sprinkle yeast over barely warm water. Beat in honey, oil, 2 eggs, and salt. Add the flour one cup at a time, beating after each addition, graduating to kneading with hands as dough thickens. This is great fun for the children as they call out the numbers of the cups as we add them.
- Knead until smooth and elastic and no longer sticky, adding flour as needed. This is where the REAL FUN comes in – the dough benefits from lots of kneading and as you can see from the video its a giggle for all of us.
- Cover with a damp clean cloth and let rise for 1 1/2 hours or until dough has doubled in bulk.
- Punch down the risen dough and turn out onto floured board.
- Divide in half and knead each half for five minutes or so, adding flour as needed to keep from getting sticky.
- Divide each half into thirds and roll into long snake about 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Pinch the ends of the three snakes together firmly and braid from middle. Either leave as braid or form into a round braided loaf by bringing ends together, curving braid into a circle, pinch ends together. Each of my grandsons had his own ball and divided the ball into three and learned how to braid the bread
- Grease two baking trays and place finished braid or round on each. Cover with towel and let rise about one hour.
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
- Beat the remaining egg and brush a generous amount over each braid. Sprinkle with poppy seeds if desired.
- Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for about 40 minutes. Bread should have a nice hollow sound when thumped on the bottom. Cool on a rack for at least one hour before slicing.
- YUMMY YUM YUM
