Challah Bread

Ingredients
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 cup warm water
3 teaspoons yeast
4 cups flour
4 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup oil
2 egg
1/4 cup warm water (+ a tablespoon or so)
1 egg yolk, beaten with
1 teaspoon water
sesame seed or poppy seed

Directions

Dissolve 1 teaspoon sugar in 1/2 cup water in bowl of mixer.
Sprinkle yeast over water and mix,let stand 10 minutes until foamy.
Add the next 6 ingredients to mixing bowl.
Mix with dough hook for 6 minutes.
Dough should be a little sticky so if it is too dry then add the tablespoon or so of water.
Place in oiled bowl, cover and let rise in warm place until double in bulk.
Punch down dough. (1st rise 45-60 min)
Let rise until double in bulk.
Punch down again. (2nd rise 40-60 min)
Divide dough into 3 equal parts.
Roll dough into three long strands.
Braid the strands, tucking ends under.
Cover with towel and let double in bulk. (3rd rise 40-60 min)
Brush with beaten egg yolk.
Sprinkle with seeds if desired.
Bake at 400 F for approximately 30 minutes, until golden brown. The challah is done when it sounds hollow when thumped on the bottom.

***** Yumminess
***** Kids love it
*** Easy

It tastes wonderful. My kids LUHVED it! It does take some extra work but it will be worth it!