Bread Machine Challah Recipe

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This is our favourite challah recipe; I make it this way on a regular
basis.  Last update:  December 8, 2001.

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Load the bread machine:
3/4   cup  warm water
2     eggs (large)
1/3   cup  white sugar
1/3   cup  canola oil
1-1/2 tsp. salt
3-2/3 cups flour  (Robin Hood all-purpose) 
2     tsp. yeast  (Fleischmann's Instant)

(Sometimes I use 1 cup whole wheat flour for 1 cup white flour.)

To make a loaf of Challah:
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Sometimes I just let the whole thing bake until its done on the regular
bread cycle.

A more traditional way is to use the dough cycle, make a six-braid and
bake for about 30 minutes at 375.

Another way is to use the dough cycle, punch it down, dust the
counter with flour, roll it out in a rectangle, roll up (carefully, for no
holes), add egg yolk glaze and seeds.  Let it rise in a greased 9x5 loaf
pan in a warm oven for about 25 minutes. Then bake at 375 for about 27
minutes.  This is good for sandwich bread.  

To make Challah rolls:
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Lately, I have been making challah rolls.  I use the dough cycle, which
stops after the first rise.  Sometimes I add 1/2 cup raisins at the
signal.
 
I make 10 knot rolls, and let them rise on a cookie sheet (covered with
parchment paper) for about 20 minutes, in a warm oven (which was turned to
100F for 2 minutes, then turned off.)

Remove the rolls and preheat the oven to 375 F.  Brush them with beaten
egg wash.  Sprinkle on sesame or poppy seeds.  (Onion topping could be added 
here: chopped onion, oil, poppy seeds, salt.)

Bake the rolls at 375F for about 16-17 minutes.  The timing depends on the
colour.  Look at the colour of the bottom.  Use the center shelf.

Other notes:
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Make a bed for the yeast, by using a spoon to make a hollow in the flour.
This keeps the yeast out of the water.

Using parchment paper avoids greasing the pan.

My bread machine is large enough for 2 lb. loaves.

Someone asked me if the challah is 'stringy'and I would say 'Yes,
quite stringy!'.

In other bread machine recipes, I use soy milk in order to keep
the bread pareve.  It gives very good results!

Having had a convection oven for just over a year, I highly recommend it
for getting 'golden brown all over' bread and rolls.  Wouldn't go back!