Holiday Honey Challah

Directions

1. 1
   Set aside 1 egg for glaze and raisins, if using.
2. 2
   Using remaining ingredients above, prepare Basic Challah Dough, Prepared By Mixer through step 5, adding honey after oil.
3. 3
   Put raisins, if using, in medium bowl.
4. 4
   Add enough warm water to cover and soak them for 15 minutes.
5. 5
   Thoroughly oil or grease an 8 x 4-inch loaf pan.
6. 6
   Drain raisins well, put on paper towels, and pat dry.
7. 7
   Sprinkle about half of raisins over dough and knead in lightly by slapping dough in bowl.
8. 8
   Repeat with remaining raisins.
9. 9
   Turn dough out onto work surface.
10. 10
    Knead thoroughly until raisins are well distributed.
11. 11
    Pat dough to rough 8 x 4-inch rectangle.
12. 12
    Roll up from longer side into a cylinder, pressing firmly.
13. 13
    Pinch ends and seam tightly.
14. 14
    Then roll cylinder again on work surface to press seam further.
15. 15
    Place in pan seam-side down.
16. 16
    Cover loaf with a warm, slightly damp cloth and let rise until nearly doubled, about 1 hour.
17. 17
    Preheat oven to 375F.
18. 18
    Beat remaining egg with a pinch of salt.
19. 19
    Brush top of risen loaf gently with beaten egg.
20. 20
    Bake bread 15 minutes.
21. 21
    Reduce oven temperature to 325F.
22. 22
    Bake about 35 minutes or until top and bottom of bread are firm and bread sounds hollow when tapped on bottom; if loaf browns too quickly, cover loosely with brown paper or foil.
23. 23
    Turn out of pan; if bread appears to be sticking, run a metal spatula or a thin knife carefully around bread.
24. 24
    Cool on rack.