Ingredients
Procedure
Dough
- Put bread flour in a bowl. Mix in the ½ cup of sugar and the salt.
- In a small bowl or large measuring cup, add the 1 ½ cups of warm water. Mix in the 1 tablespoon of sugar. Sprinkle the yeast on top and wait 8 minutes. The yeast mixture should be foamy.
- Briefly mix the yeast mixture, then mix it into the flour mixture.
- Mix in the eggs and oil.
- Add the remaining 1 cup warm water, and knead the dough for about 10 minutes.
- Let the dough rise, covered, for two-four hours.
Braiding
- Divide the dough into four parts. These will make 4 challahs.
- Take one part. Separate it into four pieces. Take each piece and roll it between your hands until it is a long strand. Attach the four strands together at one end by squeezing the ends together (see picture).
- Place on a piece of foil or a pan.
- Take the strand at the far left and braid by putting it over two strands to the right and then put it back under one strand to the left.
- Take the strand at the far right and put it over two strands to the left and then put it back under one strand to the right.
- Repeat the last two steps until you reach the end of the strands.
- Do the same thing with the other three parts.
Finish
- Brush each loaf with egg wash and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
- Allow to rise for two hours.
- Bake in preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 25 minutes.