The Peeled Mango: Challah

Challah Bread

Compiled by Kristen

Yield: 1 loaf

For the dough:

1 c. lukewarm water
2 tsp yeast
½ tsp sugar

Place the 1 cup lukewarm water in a small bowl (not stand mixer yet). Sprinkle with 2 tsp yeast and 1 pinch of the granulated sugar - stir to combine. Let sit until you see a thin frothy layer across the top, 5 to 10 minutes.

¼ c. granulated sugar
4 ½ c. all-purpose flour (plus more as needed)
1 TB kosher salt
2 large eggs
1 large egg yolk (reserve the white for the egg wash)
¼ c. neutral oil (or butter - if kosher not needed)
For the egg wash:
1 large egg white
1 TB water

Whisk flour, remaining 1/4 cup granulated sugar, and salt together in a stand mixer.

Make a well in the center of the flour mixture.

In a tiny bowl, mix - the 2 large eggs, 1 large egg yolk, and 1/4 cup neutral oil to the well. Whisk this mixture, then pour into the flour well.

Whisk to form a slurry, pulling in a little flour from the sides of the bowl.

Pour the yeast mixture over the egg slurry.

Mix everything together until a shaggy dough that is difficult to mix forms. You want to be able to touch it without it being crazy sticky. Add a tiny bit of flour if needed.

RISE:

Lightly coat a large bowl with oil. Transfer the dough ball into the bowl and turn to coat in the oil. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk, 1 1/2 to 2 hours

**BRAID - choose a method below to braid your loaf.

When finished braiding and shaping, line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the braided loaf on top and sprinkle with a little flour.

RISE:

Cover with a kitchen towel and let rise in a warm place away from drafts until puffed and pillowy, about 1 hour. About 20 minutes before baking, heat the oven to 350°F.

Whisk 1 large egg white and 1 TB water together in a small bowl with a fork. Brush it all over the challah, being sure to get in the cracks and down the sides of the loaf.

Bake, rotating the baking sheet halfway through, until the challah is deeply browned, about 30 to 35 minutes total. Transfer the challah onto a wire rack and let cool (easier to cut and hold shape if you let it cool at least 15-20 mins)

(Store leftovers airtight if you have any! Leftovers make amazing French toast)

BRAIDING!

3 STRANDED STANDARD BRAID

Divide the dough into 3 equal pieces (can use kitchen scale for more equal braid size)

Working on a lightly floured work surface, roll each piece of dough into a long rope about 16 inches long. If the ropes shrink as you try to roll them, let them rest for 5 minutes to relax the gluten and then try again.

Arrange the ropes vertically, then gather and squeeze them together at the very top.

Braid in a standard braid (outer piece over neighboring piece and into the middle - alternate starting sides)

Tuck ends under and adjust loaf shape.

6 STRANDED SIMPLE BRAID

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Srn6WmO5mbY

-Pinch ends together at the top and separate into two groups of 3 strands.

Alternate sides, taking the outermost strand and bringing it across to become the innermost strand on the opposite group.

6 STRANDED CHALLAH BRAID

Divide the dough into 6 equal pieces (about 3 ounces each). Working on a lightly floured work surface, roll each piece of dough into a long rope about 16 inches long. If the ropes shrink as you try to roll them, let them rest for 5 minutes to relax the gluten and then try again.

Arrange the ropes vertically, then gather and squeeze them together at the very top.

Think - "over two, under one, over two." Carry the right-most rope over the two ropes beside it, slip it under the middle rope, and then carry it over the last two ropes.

Lay the rope down parallel to the other ropes; it is now the furthest-left strand.

Repeat this pattern until you reach the end of the loaf.

Try to make your braid as tight as possible.

Your braid will start listing to the left as you go; it's ok to lift it up and recenter the loaf if you need to.

Once you reach the end, squeeze the ends of the ropes together and tuck them under the loaf.

Gently adjust loaf shape as desired (can “plump” the loaf by moving ends towards each other)