Rich Challah (braided Egg Bread)

Total Time: 50 mins Preparation Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 40 mins

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup water or 1/2 cup milk, for more richness
• 4 eggs
• 6 tablespoons oil, makes it more cake like
• 6 tablespoons sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 5 cups flour
• 2 1/2 teaspoons instant yeast (or amount specified by your yeast per cup of flour) or 2 1/2 teaspoons bread machine yeast (or amount specified by your yeast per cup of flour)
• 2 egg yolks
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1/8 teaspoon salt

Recipe

• 1 in bread machine add to bread pan in order suggested by manufacturer, select dough setting, press start.
• 2 after beep, remove risen dough and follow directions on how to shape and bake below.
• 3 in kitchen-aid stand mixer or like devise mix dry ingredients in bowl and turn on low speed to incorporate.
• 4 add eggs one at a time, allow to mix in before adding next one, then add oil.
• 5 turn mixer up to next speed (2 on kitchen-aid), add milk in a slow stream, knead until soft, smooth, and warm, about 3 to 4 minutes.
• 6 grease a bowl and place dough in bowl turning to coat.
• 7 allow to rest and rise until double in size.
• 8 ***shaping and baking***.
• 9 punch down and turn out risen dough onto a lightly oiled surface, let rest 5 minutes, punching dough down gets it all excited, it needs to sit and relax.
• 10 shape dough into a log and cut off 1/3; set aside.
• 11 cut remaining dough into 3 pieces and roll into 18 inch ropes, start braid from middle and braid to one end, pinch together and tuck under, repeat with other side.
• 12 cut set aside dough into 3 pieces and roll out to 13-15 inches long, repeat braiding method and place smaller braid on top of larger braid.
• 13 grease a large 1/2 sheet baking sheet and place finished braid sideways from corner to corner.
• 14 allow to rise until almost double, mix glaze ingredients and brush loaf gently.
• 15 bake in preheated 350°f oven for 35-45 minutes, cover loosely with foil 15-20 minutes into baking to avoid over browning.