Braided Challah Bread

Happy Memorial Day! It feels good to have a 3 day weekend, doesn’t it? I’m writing this on Sunday and so far we’ve had almost non-stop rain all weekend. But Monday is supposed to be beautiful so hopefully I’ll be able to give this pasty white skin some much needed sun! ;-)

Anyone have any fun Memorial Day plans? I went to my first of 3 weddings this year. My cousin’s wedding was on Saturday, it was beautiful. The ceremony was outside and the weather cooperated for that hour at least. The bride and groom’s Basset Hound, Porkchop, was the “Ring Dog” and it was the cutest thing ever, I wish I had a picture to show you!

Kara and Cliff have been in Hawaii all week and are due home Monday afternoon. With those guys soaking up the sun on vacation it’s been 2 weekends since we’ve done any baking together. I actually think my pants are a little looser. Not!

I’m really excited about this Braided Challah Bread. I love Challah and this was my first time trying to make it, so glad it was a success. I know it looks a tad complicated, but really it’s not that hard and the end product is yummy! I think it would pair so nicely with a honey butter, but we wanted to get a little more creative. We tried something really fun, so check back tomorrow to find out!

Here's what you'll need

Start by whisking together 3 cups all-purpose flour

To that add yeast

Sugar

And salt

In a 2-cup measuring cup combine warm water, melted butter…

And 2 eggs plus an egg yolk.

Whisk that together

Slowly mix the water mixture in with the dry. Mix until a rough dough forms

While the dough is kneading you can start to oil a bowl

This looks done

Plop that into the oiled bowl, cover it with plastic wrap and let it sit

After an hour or so separate your dough into 2 balls–one twice as big as the other

Now divide each of the 2 balls into 3

Now form each into 16 inch ropes

Pinch the 3 ropes together at the top then start braiding

Like this. Pinch it closed at the bottom too.

Combine water and an egg white for your egg wash

Layer the 2 braids on top one another and let them rise again

Brush on the egg wash, then it's time to bake!

Bake for 30-40 minutes

Check back tomorrow to see what we did with this Challah bread next!

BLOGROLL