HOW TO MAKE CHALLAH BREAD RECIPES

Steps:

• In a small bowl or measuring cup, combine lukewarm water, yeast, and 1 teaspoon sugar. Let sit until foamy, about 5 minutes. 
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook, add flour, remaining ⅓ cup sugar, and salt and whisk to combine. Add yeast mixture, oil, and eggs and mix on medium speed until a smooth dough is formed and pulls away from the side of the bowl, about 10 to 15 minutes. Dough will still be slightly sticky. 
• Place dough  into a greased bowl and let rise, covered, until doubled, 1 ½ to 2 hours. 
• Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. On a lightly floured surface, remove dough and and divide into 3 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a 20” long rope, about 1” wide. Place ropes onto prepared baking sheet and pinch tops together and tuck under. Wet your hands lightly to help pinch together, if necessary. 
• Braid dough into one long rope. Pinch bottom ends together and tuck under braid. Cover with a kitchen towel and let rise until an indention remains after poking the dough and almost doubled, about 1 hour. 
• Preheat oven to 350°. Beat egg, water, and sugar together and brush over risen dough. Sprinkle with poppy seeds or sesame seeds, if desired. 
• Bake until bread is golden, 25 minutes. Let cool to room temperature before slicing.

Steps:

• Grease large bowl and large cookie sheet with shortening; set aside. In another large bowl, stir 2 cups of the flour, the sugar, salt and yeast until well mixed. In 1-quart saucepan, heat 1 cup water and butter over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until butter is melted and mixture is very warm (120°F to 130°F).
• Add warm liquid and 4 whole eggs to flour mixture. Beat with electric mixer on low speed until moistened; beat on medium speed 3 minutes, scraping bowl frequently. With spoon, stir in enough remaining flour, 1 cup at a time, to make dough easy to handle.
• Place dough on lightly floured surface. Knead in 1/2 to 1 cup flour until dough is smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes. Place dough in greased bowl; turning dough to grease all sides. Cover bowl loosely with plastic wrap and cloth towel. Let rise in warm place about 35 to 45 minutes or until dough has doubled in size.
• Punch down dough several times to remove all air bubbles. Divide dough in half; roll into two 14x6-inch rectangles. Cut each rectangle lengthwise into three 14x2-inch strips. Braid strips together; tuck ends under to seal. Place crosswise on greased cookie sheet. Cover; let rise in warm place until doubled in size, about 15 to 25 minutes.
• Heat oven to 400°F. Bake 10 minutes. In small bowl, mix 1 egg white and 1 tablespoon water until well mixed. Brush over top of loaves; sprinkle with poppy seed. Bake 5 to 10 minutes longer or until loaves sound hollow when lightly tapped. Immediately remove from cookie sheet to cooling racks. Cool completely.