Challah Bread

A sweetish, soft and rich bread that makes delicious sandwiches and keeps well.

Pour the water into a large bowl.

Dissolve the sugar in the water and then add the yeast.

Let stand for about 10 minutes until bubbly.

Mix in 1 cup of the flour and mix to form a slurry.

Add the egg , oli and salt and mix to incorporate into the mixture.

Gradually add more flour until too hard to stir then add more kneading by hand until you have a very slightly sticky ball of dough.

Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for about 5 to 10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.

Place into an oiled bowl and cover with a damp kitchen towel for about 1 1 / 2 hours or until it has doubled in volume.

Knead the dough a second time and then shape into loaves.

I divide the ball into two , then each half into three and braid them forming two braided loaves.

Place the loaves on a greased cookie sheet or baking stone and cover again , this time for about 45 minutes until doubled again.

About 15 minutes before the end of the second rise , preheat the oven to 350',.

water, sugar, active dry yeast, bread flour, egg, vegetable oil, salt