Raisin Challah

There is just something about homemade baked goods that brings a smile to my face! I love it! This is a recipe I found on dianasdesserts.com. The bread is AMAZING, especially when it's still warm from baking in the oven. The more raisins, the better - but if you ask my dad, raisins are expensive, so no challah for Dad (just kidding because he loves it so much!). The dough can be turned into one gigantic challah, 2 large ones, or 4 minis! Sometimes I form the bread into a crown, rather than braid it. It's fabulous either way! This freezes really well and is also so delicious when you use this for French toast! Yummy!!

Here's the recipe: "Sweet Honey-Raisin Challah in Diana's Recipe Book"

http://dianasdesserts.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/recipes.recipeListing/filter/dianas/recipeID/2332/Recipe.cfm

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Ingredients: 

• 1 tsp. granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 cups warm water 
• 2 packages (1/2 oz./4 1/2 tsp./14g) instant yeast or bread yeast 
• 7 to 8 cups bread flour (approximately) 
• 1/8 tsp. powdered saffron or a pinch of saffron threads (optional) 
• 2 tsp. salt 
• 1/4 cup honey 
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar 
• 1/2 cup (4 oz./8 tbsp./113g) butter or margarine, melted (or 1/2 cup vegetable oil may be used) 
• 3 whole eggs 
• 2 egg yolks 
• 1 1/4 cups golden raisins, plumped 
•  Egg Wash: 1 egg yolk, lightly beaten and mixed with 1 tsp. sugar and 1 tbsp. water  

Directions: 

1. In a large mixing bowl, stir the 1 tsp. sugar into the 1 1/2 cups warm water. Sprinkle in yeast and stir well; let stand until frothy or foamy, about 10 minutes.  
2. Using a wooden spoon, stir in 7 cups of the flour, saffron (if using) and salt. Add honey, the 1/3 cup sugar, melted butter (or vegetable oil or melted margarine, if using), whole eggs and egg yolks; stir until dough forms.  
3. Turn dough out onto lightly floured work surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes, adding enough of the remaining 1 cup flour as necessary to prevent sticking (you may need to add more flour if your dough is still too sticky. Add in one tablspoon at a time until the dough is cohesive). Place dough in a greased glass or ceramic bowl, turning to grease dough all over. Cover bowl with greased plastic wrap or a warm damp kitchen towel; let dough rise in warm draft-free place until doubled in size and indentation remains when dough is poked with 2 fingers, about one hour or so. Punch down dough, transfer dough to work surface, let rest for 10 minutes, then knead in raisins (if using).  
4. To Make Round Crown Loaf: Roll out dough into a 30-inch (76 cm) long rope. Holding one end in place, wind remaining rope around end to form a fairly tight spiral that is slightly higher in the center of dough. Transfer dough to a greased rimmed baking sheet.  
5. To Make a 4 rope Braided Loaf: Divide dough into quarters; roll each quarter into 18-inch (45 cm) long ropes. Place side by side on a greased rimmed baking sheet; pinch ropes together at one end. Starting at pinched end, move second rope from left over rope on its right. Move far right rope over 2 ropes on left. Move far left rope over 2 ropes on right. Repeat until braid is complete; tuck ends under braid.  
6. Cover crown loaf or braid loaf with plastic wrap or damp kitchen towel; let rise in warm draft-free place until doubled in size, about one hour.  
7. Egg Wash:  Stir egg yolk with 1 tsp. sugar and 1 tbsp. water; brush over loaf (s).  
8. Bake in center of 350°F/180°C oven until deep golden brown and loaf sounds hollow when tapped on bottom, 30 to 35 minutes. Let cool on rack for 15 minutes before slicing.