Sweet Honey Challah for the new year!

Diamond Member Joined: Feb 02 2006 Posts: 3190

I posted this last week when someone asked for a small recipe, but I just think that it is so perfect for the chagim because it uses honey!

This is my friend's amazing sweet dense challah recipe! No bread machine! Very easy if you follow it step by step!
Warning, you may want to use a little less honey, because its very sweet.

� cup oil
4 tsp. salt
� cup honey
1 cup boiling water
� cup cold water
2 packages dry yeast
1/3 cup warm water
3 large eggs
7 � 8 cups flour

Here's how:

Dissolve the 2 packages dry yeast and 1 tsp sugar in 1/3 cup warm water and put it aside
Pour the oil, salt, and honey into a large mixing bowl
Add 1 cup boiling water, and stir
Add � cup coldwater and stir
Beat the 3 eggs with a fork and add to the oil mixture. Stir
Add the dissolved yeast and stir
Add 7 cups of flour
Knead the dough for approximately 10 minutes
Lightly oil the bowl
Put the dough in the bowl and turn a few times so the surface is lightly oiled
Put a pan of water in the bottom of your oven and heat the oven for 1 minute and then turn it off
Cover the bowl with a slightly damp dishtowel and put it in the oven for about 2 hours (until doubled in bulk)
Put the dough on a floured surface and knead for approximately 1 minute
Add raisins or chocolate chips if desired
Separate the dough
Braid the challah
Grease the pans
Cover the challot and let stand for about 45 minutes
Preheat oven to 375 degrees
Beat an additional egg and brush it on the challot
Add poppy or sesame seeds if desired
Bake for 20 � 30 minutes
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"G-d I trust will understand, I'm not so sure about the neighbors.." -Yentl

Beginner Joined: Jan 18 2010 Age: 31 Posts: 6

That sounds delicious!
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Diamond Member Joined: Feb 02 2006 Posts: 3190

Before using this recipe I was horrible at making challah, but this works for me every time!

It's very sweet and you can really taste the honey, which adds to the "honey theme" of yomtov meals.

My friend sometimes add chocolate chips to this recipe...then its really decadent!

Diamond Member Joined: Aug 26 2007 Posts: 3421

have you ever had success doubling the recipe?

Diamond Member Joined: Feb 02 2006 Posts: 3190

Yes, just be careful not to make the challahs too big so that it isnt doughy in the middle.

Diamond Member Joined: Aug 26 2007 Posts: 3421

thanks! I just might try this for rosh hashana - thanks for posting!

Active Poster Joined: Jun 24 2010 Posts: 29

Diamond Member Joined: Feb 02 2006 Posts: 3190

Nope, but you could always double it.

Active Poster Joined: Jun 24 2010 Posts: 29

Diamond Member Joined: Feb 02 2006 Posts: 3190

That would be about 16 cups of flour...I am pretty sure that meets the 5lb requirement.