Marla's Challah

1 cup water
2 eggs beaten
3 tbsp shortening
3 tbsp sugar
1-1/2 tsp salt
3-3/4 cups white flour
1 tsp yeast

Glaze:
1 egg yolk
1 tbsp water
mixed

Dissolve yeast in water (warm), add 1/2 C of flour and let sit for a few hours till the mixture begins to bubble
Set aside shortning (can substitute butter)
Combine all dry ingredients
add eggs to the yeast mixture
in a mix master add the shortning and slowly add all the dry ingredients and slowly mix using a hook.
Nead till the dough is soft but not sticky, if sticky add more flour, a bit at a time.
Once the dough has formed remove the mixing bowl fromthe machine and cover in a warm place, on the oven covered with plastic wrap.
Let rise for about 6-8 hours or until it has doubled in size.
Nead out all the air in the dough
seperate in 3 equal portions, roll out the dough into long snakes thicker in the middle.
Braid and let rise again under a damp towel in a warm place.
When the bread has doubled in size, brush on the glaze, sprinkle with sesame or poppy seeds.
put in a preheated 350 oven.
Bake till golden.

If you tap the bottom of the bread and it sounds hollow then it is ready.
If not put it back in for 10 more min.









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