As the weather gets colder and we all turn our thoughts towards the many upcoming holidays, young adults are struck with a difficult conundrum: what to make for the holiday meal. As we get older, sometimes we are expected to contribute alongside the table of fully baked goods donated by the adults in our families. This Challah, an enriched bread, is just the right line between easy to do and impressive to look at.
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Combined Time: 2 hours, 45 minutes
Ingredients:
2 packets instant yeast
2 cups warm water
½ cup sugar
7 cups flour, in two portions
½ cup Olive oil
2 eggs
Toasted sesame seeds, for decoration
Instructions:
- Combine water, yeast and a small amount of sugar in a bowl. Set aside until bubbly.
- Add 3 ½ cups of flour to the yeast solution and mix thoroughly
- add 1 egg and the oil, mix
- Add the rest of the flour and knead for 20 minutes, or about 100 times
- leave to rise for 2 hours, punching down every 20 minutes
- Shape into two loaves and let prove an additional 30 minutes
- Heat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit
- Beat second egg and brush over top of loaves, sprinkle on sesame seeds
- Bake for 25 minutes, then turn oven off and let sit for 10 minutes inside oven
- Remove and allow to completely cool before enjoying