French Bread Challah

Name: French Bread Challah
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons yeast; 2 tablespoons yeast energizer; 2 cups warm water; 2 tablespoons sugar; 14 cup margarine; 1 tablespoon salt; 6 cups bread flour, divided; 1 tablespoon garlic, crushed (optional); 1 egg; 1 tablespoon sesame seeds; 1 teaspoon kosher salt, coarse

11 ingredients

12 steps

Ingredients

2 tablespoons yeast
2 tablespoons yeast energizer
2 cups warm water
2 tablespoons sugar
14 cup margarine
1 tablespoon salt
6 cups bread flour, divided
1 tablespoon garlic, crushed (optional)
1 egg
1 tablespoon sesame seeds
1 teaspoon kosher salt, coarse

Directions

1

Stir the yeast and yeast energizer into warm water; let stand for 5 minutes to dissolve.
2

Add the sugar, margarine, and 1 Tablespoon salt, and stir well.
3

Add 2 cups of flour, and beat thoroughly.
4

Add 3 more cups of flour and mix well.
5

Knead for a few minutes and let rest for 10 minutes.
6

Resume kneading, adding the remaining flour until the dough is no longer sticky but very smooth and elastic.
7

Let rise in a warm place until doubled (1-1/2 hours).
8

Punch down, knead again, and braid into 2-4 challah, depending on size requirements.
9

Optional: While you are braiding, add in the crushed garlic.
10

Let rise 1/2 hour.
11

Right before baking, coat with egg yolk and sprinkle with sesame seeds and coarse salt.
12

Bake at 180 degrees Celsius for 35 to 45 minutes.