Quick White Bread (Challah Braid)

Directions

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   Step 1:.
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   Pour into 1 quart Mixing bowl:.
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   1 cup Warm Water.
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   Sprinkle on top:.
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   3T Yeast ( or four packages).
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   Do not mix set aside.
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   Step 2:.
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   In 4 quart Bowl combine:.
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   8 cups Flour (can use up to 1/2 whole wheat).
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    2/3 cups Sugar.
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    4 teaspoons Salt.
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    Mix well.
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    Step 3:.
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    Stir yeast and water mixture and add to this:.
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    3 cups hot water.
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    1/3 cup vegetable or olive oil.
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    Step 4:.
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    Pre heat oven to 350.
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    Stir the yeast and water/oil and mix together with the flour.
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    Add enough flour to the sticky mixture to make a soft easy to handle dough.
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    Knead for 1 minute.
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    Divide dough into four equal mounds.
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    Shape each into greased loaf pans/ or coated with a non stick spray.
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    Cover loosely and let rise 30 minutes.
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    Bake 30 minutes or until golden brown.
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    Hints and Tips and how to make Challah:.
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    For a more golden crust mix 1 egg yolk and 1 teaspoons water and brush on bread just before placing in oven.
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    To tell doneness:.
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    Top will be springy and bottom will sound hollow if thumped.
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    Challah:.
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    ( I will usually take aside two loaves and make into Challah to do this take two or one mound of dough, depending on how many Challah you want to make)
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    Per each mound of dough;
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    Take the mound of dough and separate into three relatively equal pieces make each piece into a long strands.
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    Now with your three long strands lay them length wise in front of you, take each piece at the top and pinch just the tips together.
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    Braid loosely like a hair braid and then pinch the ends again when done.
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    Tuck under the pinched edges.
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    Place on a lightly greased cookie sheet and cover lightly with a towel, lightly damp paper towel or lose tin foil.
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    Let rise 30 minutes.
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    Pre Heat Oven 350
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    Bake 30 minutes or until golden.