Recipe- Traditional Braided Challah for Hanukkah

Hanukkah begins at sundown on December 6- prepare for your gathering with this delicious recipe for homemade challah bread.

Ingredients:
2 ¼ oz. packages yeast

1 cup warm water

½ cup canola oil

1/3 cup sugar

1 tablespoon salt

4 eggs

6 to 6 ½ cups all-purpose flour

Topping:

1 egg

1 teaspoon cold water

Directions:

1) In large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add oil, sugar, salt, eggs and 4 cups flour. Beat until smooth.

2) Stir in remaining flour to form a firm dough. Turn onto floured surface and knead until smooth and stretchy (about 7 minutes).

3) Place kneaded dough in greased bowl, turning once to grease top of loaf. Cover and let rise in warm place until doubled (about 1 hour).

4) Punch down dough, turn onto lightly-floured surface and divide in half. Divide each portion into thirds and shape each piece into a 15-inch rope of dough.

5) Place three ropes of dough on a greased baking sheet and braid. Pinch ends to seal. Repeat with remaining three ropes of dough. Cover and let rise until doubled (about 1 hour).

6) Beat egg and cold water; brush over braided loaves with pastry brush. Bake at 350°F for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from baking sheets and cool on wire racks. Yields two loaves (approximately 16 slices each).