Honey Vanilla Challah Recipes

HONEY-VANILLA CHALLAH

Steps:

• In a large bowl, use a whisk to combine the yeast, sugar, salt and 1 cup of the flour. Add warm milk, 2 eggs, 4 tbsp olive oil, honey, and vanilla. Vigorously mix the ingredients until smooth, scraping the sides of the bowl halfway through, about 3 minutes. Add remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, switching to a wooden spoon when the dough becomes too thick for the whisk. Continue mixing the dough until too stiff to stir.
• Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until soft and springy, about 4 minutes. If the dough is sticky, dust with flour 1 tablespoon at a time - just enough to prevent it from sticking to the surface. The dough is done when it's smooth and small air bubbles show under the skin. If you press your thumb into it the impression should bounce back. This is a slightly firm dough, which is exactly what you want for easy braiding later on.
• Place the dough in a deep container greased with 1 tsp of olive oil. Turn the dough once to coat the top and cover with plastic wrap. Allow it to rise at room temperature until doubled in bulk, about 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it with non-stick spray. Gently deflate the dough by pressing your fingers into it, then turn it out onto a lightly floured surface.
• Divide into 3 equal portions, and roll each portion out into a smooth, thick strip about 20 inches long, with the ends slightly thinner than the middle. Lay these ropes side-by-side, not quite touching.
• Beginning in the middle and working towards you, braid the lower half of the three ropes. To braid, alternately move the outside ropes over the one in the center - left over, right over, left over -until you come to the end. Now go to the other side of your working space and braid the other half, this time moving the outside ropes under the center one. Braid tightly - you don't want any gaps. When you finish braiding each side crimp the tapered ends together, then tuck them under.
• Preheat oven to 350 °F and place the braided dough on a baking sheet. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let rise until almost doubled in bulk, 30 to 40 minutes.
• Just before the rising time has finished whisk together 1 egg and 1 teaspoon of olive oil, this is going to be the glaze for your bread. Gently brush the dough with a thick layer of it. Place the dough in the oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the bread is a deep golden brown and sounds hollow when you thump it on the bottom. Transfer to a baking rack to cool. Allow to cool before slicing.

HONEYED CHALLAH AND APPLE PUDDING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place 2 tablespoons butter in a 9-inch-square baking dish and place in the oven until the butter melts. When the butter has melted, remove the pan from the oven and use a brush to coat the bottom and sides evenly with the melted butter. Set aside.
• While the oven is preheating and the butter melting, heat the remaining butter in a heavy skillet, add the apples and sauté over high heat until they just begin to soften and take on color, about five minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside.
• Mix the milk, honey and vanilla together in a large bowl. Add the challah pieces and allow to soak about 10 minutes, until the milk is fairly well absorbed. Beat the eggs until frothy, mix them with the challah and add half the cinnamon and the sautéed apples.
• Transfer the mixture to baking dish. Mix the remaining cinnamon with the sugar and sprinkle over the top. Bake about 45 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.

HONEY CHALLAH

Steps:

• In a small bowl, dissolve yeast and sugar in 1 cup warm water. Separate two eggs; refrigerate two egg whites. Place remaining egg yolks and eggs in a large bowl. Add 2/3 cup honey, oil, salt, yeast mixture, 3 cups flour and remaining warm water; beat on medium speed 3 minutes. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough (dough will be sticky)., Pour boiling water over raisins in a small bowl; let stand 5 minutes. Drain and pat dry. Turn dough onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, 6-8 minutes. Knead in raisins. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until almost doubled, about 1-1/2 hours., Punch down dough. Turn onto a lightly floured surface. Divide dough in half. Divide one portion into six pieces. Roll each into a 16-in. rope. Place ropes parallel on a greased baking sheet; pinch ropes together at the top. , To braid, take the rope on the right and carry it over the two ropes beside it, then slip it under the middle rope and carry it over the last two ropes. Lay the rope down parallel to the other ropes; it is now on the far left side. Repeat these steps until you reach the end. As the braid moves to the left, you can pick up the loaf and re-center it on your work surface as needed. Pinch ends to seal and tuck under. For a fuller loaf, using your hands, push the ends of the loaf closer together. Repeat process with remaining dough. Cover with kitchen towels; let rise in a warm place until almost doubled, about 30 minutes., Preheat oven to 350°. In a small bowl, whisk remaining egg whites and honey with water; brush over loaves. Sprinkle with sesame seeds. Bake 30-35 minutes or until golden brown and bread sounds hollow when tapped. Remove from pans to a wire rack to cool.

OAT AND HONEY CHALLAH (BREAD)

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine 3/4 cup warm water with yeast. Let stand until yeast is dissolved and begins to bubble, about 5 minutes.
• Place the yeast mixture in your mixer (if you have one large enough for this recipe), or in a large bowl. Add the additional water, oats, honey, oil and salt. Mix well to combine.
• Gradually add in the flours, mixing/kneading well, until a soft dough is formed. Knead another 5 minutes, adding small quantities of flour, until the dough feels like an ear lobe.
• Place in a large, oiled bowl, turning dough to coat, and cover with a damp towel. Plase in a warm place and let rise until doubled in size, about one hour.
• Punch down the dough, divide into 6 pieces (or more ifyou are making rolls) and shape into loaves or braid or do whatever you do with your challah dough.
• Place on greased pans (I prefer using parchment paper, ungreased), and brush with beaten egg. Sprinkle with seeds or extra oats.
• Bake at 350F for about 35 minutes for loaves, or 20+ minutes for rolls.