Flower Pot Challah Bread Recipes

FLOWER POT CHALLAH BREAD

Steps:

• Scrub the pots in hot soapy water and rinse well. Let them dry overnight. Oil the inside of the pots with vegetable oil, including the rim, until the pot will not absorb any more. Set the pots in a cold oven. Heat the oven to 400 degrees then turn off the heat and leave the pots in the oven to cool. When completely cool, oil them again, and heat them again, using the same process. The pots are now ready for use. Be sure to grease them well before each use, especially around the rim.
• In a small bowl, melt butter in the warm water.
• In a separate bowl, mix 4 cups flour, yeast, sugar, and salt. Add eggs and melted butter mixture to form dough. Knead for 5 to 10 minutes, slowly adding more flour. Watch for blisters on the dough, and do not knead too much. Oil top of the bread. Let it rest in a warm place for 2 to 3 hours.
• Push dough down, and let it rise again. Don't let the bread rise too high, or the bread will be tough.
• Shape the dough and put it into 2 clean, greased terracotta flower pots. Let loaves rise for 30 minutes more.
• Bake in a preheated 350 degree F (175 degree C) oven for 35 minutes.

CHALLAH BREAD

Steps:

• Mix 1 1/4 cups of the flour, the yeast, sugar, and salt in large bowl.
• Heat water and 1 tablespoon oil until very warm (120 to 130).
• Add water mixture to flour mixture.
• Beat with electric mixer on low speed 1 minute, scraping bowl frequently.
• Beat on medium speed 1 minute, scraping bowl frequently.
• Beat in 1 egg until smooth.
• Stir in enough remaining flour to make dough easy to handle.
• Turn dough onto lightly floured surface.
• Knead about 5 minutes or until smooth and elastic.
• Place in greased bowl and turn greased side up.
• Cover and let rise in warm place 1 1/2 to 2 hours or until double.
• Dough is ready if indentation remains when touched.
• Lightly grease cookie sheet with shortening.
• Punch down dough and divide into 3 equal parts.
• Roll each part into a rope, 14 inches long.
• Place ropes close together on cookie sheet.
• Braid ropes gently and loosely--do not stretch.
• Fasten ends and tuck ends under braid securely.
• Brush with oil.
• Cover and let rise in warm place 40 to 50 minutes or until double.
• Heat oven to 375.
• Mix egg yolk and 2 tablespoons water and brush over braid. Sprinkle with poppy seed.
• Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until golden brown.
• Check bread at 15 minutes and tent with aluminum foil if it seems to be browning too quickly.
• Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack and cool.

CHALLAH

Steps:

• In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add the oil, sugar, salt, eggs and 4 cups flour. Beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a firm dough. Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour., Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide in half. Divide each portion into thirds. Shape each piece into a 15-in. rope. , Place 3 ropes on a greased baking sheet and braid; pinch ends to seal and tuck under. Repeat with remaining dough. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 1 hour., Preheat oven to 350°. Beat egg and cold water; brush over braids. Sprinkle with sesame or poppy seeds if desired. Bake until golden brown, 30-40 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool.