Challah

By KitchenGnome

Ingredients

• 2 packages dry yeast
• 2 1/2 cups warm water
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1 Tbsp. salt
• 3/4 cup oil
• 4 eggs
• 9 cups flour
• Glaze
• 1 egg yolk, beaten
• 1 tsp. water
• Poppy seeds

Preparation

Step 1

Dissolve yeast in water in a large bowl. Add honey and let stand 2 minutes, until yeast foams. Add salt, oil, and eggs and mix well.

Gradually add flour, 2 cups at a time, mixing after each addition. As mixture gets stiff, use floured hands and begin kneading. Knead for 7 minutes, turning dough over often.

Let rise in greased bowl until doubled in size, approximately 1 hour. Punch down dough.

Divide dough into thirds, shape as desired, and place on a greased and sprinkled with corn meal baking sheet. Let rise again until doubled in size.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Brush with glaze. Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour. If unable to shape loaves after first rising, punch down dough and let rise again.