Challah Bread

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup lukewarm water (105-110 F)
• 1 1/2 cups + 2 tbsp all purpose flour
• 1 envelope active dry yeast
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 2 tsp corn oil
• 2 tsp granulated sugar
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 1 egg white, beaten with 1 tbsp water
• 1/2 tsp poppy seeds

Makes 10 Servings

1. In a small bowl, combine the water and  1 tablespoon of the flour; sprinkle with the yeast. Let stand untuil foamy, about 10 minutes. Stir in the egg and oil.
2. In a food processor, combine the remaining flour, the sugar and salt. With the maching running, scrape the yeast mixture through the feed tube until the dough just forms a ball. Knead the dough by pulsing it until it is smooth and elastic, about 30 times.
3. Spray a large bowl with nonstick spray; place the dough in the bowl. Cover loosely with plastic wrap or damp towel and let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free place until it doubles in volume, about 1 hour.
4. Punch down the dough; lightly sprinkle a work surface with flour. Turn out the dough; divide into 3 equal pieces. Roll each piece between your palms into an 18-inch rope. Pinch the ropes together at the one end and braid loosely. Spray a baking sheet with nonstick spray; gently transfer the braided loaf to the baking sheet. Cover loosely with plastic wrap or a smap towel and let it rise in a warm, draft-free place until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.
5. Preheat the oven to 350 F. Brush the loaf with half of the egg white. Bake about 20 minutes; brush with the remaining egg white and sprinkle with the poppy seeds. Bake until the loaf sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom, 10-15 minutes longer. Remove from the baking sheet and cool completely on a rack.

WW POINTS VALUE: 2 pts (1/10 of loaf per serving)

 

Note: This recipe appears in the WW New Complete Cookbook. My bread making has been successful so far this year and I wanted to make a bread pudding for dessert. I've read that challah bread is perfect for making bread pudding because it's sweet and airy. Challah bread is a traditional Jewish bread that's perfect for making French toast and other fruity and sweet treats. This challah bread was light and airy and worth the time and effort making.