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Challah

Makes 1 large braided loaf, 2 smaller loaves, or 1 large double—braided celebration loaf.

Ingredients

• 4 cups (18 ounces) unbleached bread flour
• 2 tablespoons (1 ounce) granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon (.25 ounce) salt
• 1 1/3 teaspoons (.15 ounce) instant yeast
• 2 tablespoons (1 ounce) vegetable oil
• 2 large (3.3 ounces) eggs, slightly beaten
• 2 large (1.25 ounces) egg yolks, slightly beaten
• 3/4 cup plus 2 tbsp to 1 1/8 cups (7 to 9 ounces) water, at room temperature
• 2 egg whites, whisked until frothy, for egg wash
• Sesame or poppy seeds for garnish

Directions

1. Stir together the flour, sugar, salt, and yeast in a mixing bowl (or in the bowl of an electric mixer), In a separate bowl, whisk together the oil, eggs and yolks, and 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons water. Pour the egg mixture into the flour mixture. Mix with a spoon (or on low speed with the paddle attachment) until all the ingredients gather and form a ball. Add the remaining water, if needed.
2. Sprinkle flour on the counter. transfer the dough to the counter, and knead for about 10 minutes (or mix at medium-low speed for 6 minutes with the dough hook), sprinkling in more flour if needed to make a soft, supple, but not sticky dough. The dough should pass the windowpane test and register approximately 80°F.
3. Lightly oil a large bowl. Form the dough into a boule and transfer into the bowl, rolling it around to coat it with oil. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap. Ferment for 1 hour at room temperature.
4. Remove the dough from the bowl and knead for 2 minutes to degas. Reform it into a ball, return the ball to the bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and ferment for an additional hour. It should be at least 1.5 times its original size.
5. Remove the dough from the bowl and divide it into 3 equal pieces for 1 large loaf, or 6 pieces for 2 loaves. (Or, for a celebration challah, divide it into 3 equal pieces and combine 2 of those pieces and form them into 1 large dough. Take this larger piece and divide it into 3 equal pieces. Take the smaller dough and divide it into 3 pieces as well; in the end, you will have 3 large pieces and 3 small pieces.) Regardless of the size of the loaves you decide to make, form each of the pieces into a boule, cover them with a towel, and let them rest on the counter for 10 minutes.
6. Roll out the pieces into strands, each the same length, thicker in the middle and slightly tapered toward the ends. Braid them using the 3~braid method. (If making the celebration challah, lay the smaller braid on top of the larger braid, gently pressing the smaller braid onto the larger to adhere.) Line a sheet pan with baking parchment and transfer the loaf or loaves to the pan. Brush the loaves with the egg wash. Mist the loaves with spray and cover loosely with plastic wrap or place the pan in a food-grade plastic bag.
7. Proof at room temperature for 60 to 75 minutes, or until the dough has grown to 1.5 times its original size.
8. Preheat the oven to 350ºF (325°F for the celebration challah) with the oven rack on the middle shelf. Brush again with egg wash and sprinkle sesame seeds on top.
9. Bake for 20 minutes. Rotate the pan 180 degrees and continue baking for 20 to 45 minutes, depending on the size of the loaf. The bread should be a rich golden brown and register 190ºF in the center.
10. When done, transfer the bread to a rack and cool for at least 1 hour before slicing or serving.