The National Festival of Breads finalists shared many wonderful bread recipes with the Kansas Wheat Commission at the contest last month. I'm going to be busy trying them all! This challah recipe is next on my list! Challah is a traditional Jewish braided bread served at holidays. If you prefer rolls, you could make this into 2 dozen dinner rolls. This bread will be a special treat for any special occasion.
Judi Berman-Yamada from Portland, Oregon is the baker/finalist who entered this bread. Judi has a Bed and Breakfast in Portland, wish I would have know that last summer when we traveled there! I'm sure her guests enjoy her baking skills.
Red-Apple Cheddar Challah
Time: 45 minutes
Bake Time: 40 minutes
Yield: Makes 2 large loaves, 16 slices each.
Bake Time: 40 minutes
Yield: Makes 2 large loaves, 16 slices each.
Ingredients
2 cups lightly packed, coarsely shredded red apple with skin, about 2 medium apples*
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
½ cup warm water (100° to 110°F)
¼ cup honey plus 1 tablespoon honey, divided
2 (1/4 ounce) packages Fleischmann’s® Active Dry Yeast
1 cup King Arthur White Whole Wheat Flour
1 tablespoon sea salt
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 large eggs, beaten
4 - 4 ¼ cups King Arthur Unbleached Bread Flour, divided
2 cups coarsely shredded, extra sharp Cheddar cheese
TOPPING
1 large egg plus 1 tablespoon water
2 teaspoons fennel seeds, sesame, or poppy seeds, divided
½ cup coarsely shredded, extra sharp Cheddar cheese, divided, optional
*Two varieties of apples may be combined, for example, Braeburn apple and Pink Lady apple.
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
½ cup warm water (100° to 110°F)
¼ cup honey plus 1 tablespoon honey, divided
2 (1/4 ounce) packages Fleischmann’s® Active Dry Yeast
1 cup King Arthur White Whole Wheat Flour
1 tablespoon sea salt
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 large eggs, beaten
4 - 4 ¼ cups King Arthur Unbleached Bread Flour, divided
2 cups coarsely shredded, extra sharp Cheddar cheese
TOPPING
1 large egg plus 1 tablespoon water
2 teaspoons fennel seeds, sesame, or poppy seeds, divided
½ cup coarsely shredded, extra sharp Cheddar cheese, divided, optional
*Two varieties of apples may be combined, for example, Braeburn apple and Pink Lady apple.
Instructions
1. Combine shredded apple with lemon juice; set aside. Combine warm water and 1 tablespoon honey. Sprinkle in yeast; stir until dissolved. Let stand 10 minutes.
2. In large mixer bowl, with paddle attachment, combine yeast, white whole wheat flour, salt, ¼ cup honey, oil and 2 eggs. Beat 1 minute.
3. Gradually add 2 cups bread flour; beat 2 minutes on low speed; scraping bowl. Mix in shredded apple and 1 cup bread flour; mix on low speed until flour and apple are incorporated into dough. Add 2 cups cheese; beat on low speed 2 minutes.
4. Gradually add enough of the remaining 1 cup bread flour until soft dough is formed. Add the last ¼ cup flour, only if the dough is too sticky. Knead with dough hook or by hand 8 to 10 minutes until soft and elastic. Place dough in greased bowl, turning to grease surface of dough. Cover; let rise in warm, draft-free place until double in size, about 1 hour.
5. Punch down dough; divide dough into half. Divide each half into six equal pieces; cover, let rest 10 minutes.
6. Six-Strand Braid: Roll each piece of dough into a 12-inch rope, tapering ends. Lay 6 ropes side- by-side; pinch together at top. Always start with the rope that is furthest to the right. Take the rope furthest to the right and weave it towards the left through the other ropes using this pattern: over 2, under 1, over 2. Take the ropes furthest to the right and repeat the pattern again until the whole loaf is braided. Pinch ends together; tuck under loaf and seal. Transfer braid to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Repeat with remaining half of dough. Cover; let rise in warm, draft-free place until double in size, about 45 to 60 minutes.
7. Whisk egg and water until frothy; gently brush on the risen braids, and sprinkle each braid with 1 teaspoon seeds.
8. Bake in preheated 350°F oven 20 minutes. If desired, sprinkle ¼ cup cheese on top of each braid. Rotate pan, front to back in the oven. Bake an additional 15 to 20 minutes. Tent loaves with foil; bake until golden brown and thermometer inserted in the center registers 190° to 195°F. Cool braids on pan 10 minutes; remove to rack. Bread may be frozen for 1 month; defrost in bag.
2. In large mixer bowl, with paddle attachment, combine yeast, white whole wheat flour, salt, ¼ cup honey, oil and 2 eggs. Beat 1 minute.
3. Gradually add 2 cups bread flour; beat 2 minutes on low speed; scraping bowl. Mix in shredded apple and 1 cup bread flour; mix on low speed until flour and apple are incorporated into dough. Add 2 cups cheese; beat on low speed 2 minutes.
4. Gradually add enough of the remaining 1 cup bread flour until soft dough is formed. Add the last ¼ cup flour, only if the dough is too sticky. Knead with dough hook or by hand 8 to 10 minutes until soft and elastic. Place dough in greased bowl, turning to grease surface of dough. Cover; let rise in warm, draft-free place until double in size, about 1 hour.
5. Punch down dough; divide dough into half. Divide each half into six equal pieces; cover, let rest 10 minutes.
6. Six-Strand Braid: Roll each piece of dough into a 12-inch rope, tapering ends. Lay 6 ropes side- by-side; pinch together at top. Always start with the rope that is furthest to the right. Take the rope furthest to the right and weave it towards the left through the other ropes using this pattern: over 2, under 1, over 2. Take the ropes furthest to the right and repeat the pattern again until the whole loaf is braided. Pinch ends together; tuck under loaf and seal. Transfer braid to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Repeat with remaining half of dough. Cover; let rise in warm, draft-free place until double in size, about 45 to 60 minutes.
7. Whisk egg and water until frothy; gently brush on the risen braids, and sprinkle each braid with 1 teaspoon seeds.
8. Bake in preheated 350°F oven 20 minutes. If desired, sprinkle ¼ cup cheese on top of each braid. Rotate pan, front to back in the oven. Bake an additional 15 to 20 minutes. Tent loaves with foil; bake until golden brown and thermometer inserted in the center registers 190° to 195°F. Cool braids on pan 10 minutes; remove to rack. Bread may be frozen for 1 month; defrost in bag.
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