APPLE HONEY CHALLAH

By gaster16

Ingredients

• 4 ounces (1 stick) unsalted butter, plus more for bowl, pan and plastic
• 3-1/2 cups unbleached bread flour, plus more for surface
• 3/4 cup warm water (100 degrees)
• 2/3 cup honey
• 2 large eggs plus 3 large egg yolks
• 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 2 teaspoons coarse salt
• 1-1/2 tart green apples,peeled and cut into 1/4" thick slices about (1-3/4 cups)

Preparation

Step 1

Butter a large bowl, and melt 4 tablespoons butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat, let cool. Combine 2 tablespoons melted butter, the flour, water, 1/3 cup honey, the eggs and yolks, yeast, and salt in a large bowl. Mix until dough forms. Turn dough out onto a floured surface, and knead until smooth, about 10 minutes

Transfer dough to buttered bowl, and brush with one tablespoon melted butter. Cover with plastic. Let rise in a warm place until dough almost doubles in volume, about 1-1/2 hours.

Turn dough out onto a floured surface. Pat into a 8-1/2" x 14" rectangle. Top with apples, knead to incorporate. Return to bowl. Brush with remaining tablespoon melted butter, cover. Let rise again in a warm place until dough almost doubles in volume, about 1 hour more.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees, with rack in lowest position. Butter a 9" round cake pan. Roll dough into a rope (about 24 inches) on a floured surface. Coil into a circle and transfer to pan. Butter plastic wrap, and cover dough. Let rise again until dough doubles in volume, about 45 minutes more.

Heat remaining 4 tablespoons butter and 1/3 cup honey in a saucepan over medium low heat until butter melts. Brush dough with half the honey-butter. Bake until golden brown and firm, about 35 minutes.

Brush challah with the remaining honey-butter. Let cool in pan on a wire rack for 30 minutes. Turn out loaf from pan and let cool.