Always Successful Challah Recipes

IRRESISTIBLE WHOLE WHEAT CHALLAH

Steps:

• In a large bowl, stir together the flour, salt, yeast, and vital wheat gluten until well mixed. In another bowl, stir together the honey, olive oil, water, eggs, and raisins. Pour the liquid mixture into the flour mixture, and stir until it forms a dough.
• Turn the dough out onto a floured surface, and knead until smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes. Form the dough into a round shape. Lightly oil a bowl, place the dough in the bowl, and turn the dough over a few times to oil the surface. Cover the bowl with a cloth, and let rise in a warm, draft-free place until doubled, about 1 hour.
• Punch down the dough, knead it a few times to remove some of the bubbles, and cut it into 2 equal-sized pieces. Set 1 piece of dough aside under a cloth to prevent drying out while you shape or braid the first loaf as desired.
• Working on a floured surface, roll the small dough pieces into ropes about the thickness of your thumb and about 12 inches long. Ropes should be fatter in the middle and thinner at the ends. Pinch 3 ropes together at the top and braid them. Starting with the strand to the right, move it to the left over the middle strand (that strand becomes the new middle strand.) Take the strand farthest to the left, and move it over the new middle strand. Continue braiding, alternating sides each time, until the loaf is braided, and pinch the ends together and fold them underneath for a neat look. Repeat for the other loaf, place the braided loaves on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, about 30 minutes. Serve warm for best flavor.

ALWAYS SUCCESSFUL CHALLAH

Steps:

• Mix together the water and the yeast with a handful of sugar let sit covered for about 10 minutes until yeast activates.Mix in 2 1/2 cups flour, the sugar and oil.Mix in 4 eggs.Mix in 1 1/2 cups flour very well.Add another 4-5 cups flour until a soft dough is formed.Knead well.Place dough into a large oiled bowl, cover with saran wrap and dish towel and keep out of draft.Let rise until double 1-2 hours. Divide dough into 3 equal balls.If making a 3 braided challah divide each ball into 3 parts roll out and braid.If making a 6 braided challh divide each ball into 6 parts roll out and braid.Let rise for about 1/2 hour uncovered.Beat egg and brush on challah.Bake in a pre-heated oven at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until golden brown.