Easy Challah Bread Recipe

• servings: 20 servings
• active time: 30 minutes
• total time: 55 minutes

Ingredients

2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast

1 cup warm water

4 cups all-purpose flour

7 large egg yolks, (you will use some of the egg whites later)

1/4 cup sugar

1 teaspoon salt

6 tablespoons Early Harvest Greek extra virgin olive oil

2-3 tbsp toasted sesame seeds

Directions

In a small bowl, combine the yeast with the warm water. Add a large pinch of sugar. Stir to dissolve the yeast. Set aside for 10 minutes or so, until the yeast is activated forming a foamy layer.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, egg yolks, sugar, salt, and oil. Mix with a wooden spoon.

Add the yeast mixture, and mix with the wooden spoon until the dough is too hard to mix. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured work surface, and knead by hand for 10 minutes. If the dough is too sticky as you knead, add a very little bit of flour and continue kneading until the dough is soft and smooth.

Place the dough in a large, lightly oiled mixing bowl. Cover with a kitchen cloth and keep it in a warm spot for 1 1/2 until the dough rises (the dough is ready when it has doubled in size).

Punch the dough down and turn it back onto a lightly floured work surface. Divide the dough into three equal pieces, then roll each piece into a rope that's about 16 to18 inches long. Braid the three ropes together like you would hair. Squeeze both ends together to complete the braid.

Place the braided loaf on a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover and return to a warm spot for another 30 to 45 minutes allowing it to rise again. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Brush the loaf generously with about 2-3 tbsp of the egg whites you reserved earlier. Sprinkle the sesame seeds on top.

Bake in the 350 degrees F heated-oven for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown. Let the challah bread cool before slicing.

Nutrition

• Calories: 124 kcal
• Total Fat: 6.5 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.3 g
• Cholesterol: 40.1 mg
• Sodium: 120.8 mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 22.2 g
• Dietary Fiber: 0.9 g
• Protein: 3.9 g