I recently went to a cooking class at a friend’s house and got the most amazing Apple Honey Challah Recipe I have ever tasted and thought I would share it with all of you Shopping and Info readers. It is pretty foolproof and as long as you are patient and do other things outside the house or around the house while you are waiting for the dough to rise for the 3 hours total time, you will have 2 amazing tasting and looking challahs to share with your family anytime of the year.
APPLE HONEY CHALLAH
2 packages active dry yeast (1/4oz packages)
2 tsp plus 1 cup sugar
¼ cup warm water
2 tsp salt
½ cup vegetable oil
2 cups boiling water
2 eggs, well beaten
71/2 to 8 cups unbleached flower
1 1/2 tart green apples, preferably Granny Smith, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices (about 1 3/4 cups)
3 egg yolks mixed with 2 tbs honey
Preheat oven to 300
Dissolve yeast and 2 tsp. sugar in warm water.
In a large bowl combine remaining sugar, salt, oil and boiling water.
After mixture cools, mix in beaten eggs and the yeast mixture.
Add the flour to make the dough (it should be slightly sticky to touch)
Turn onto a floured surface and knead until smooth.
Set dough in oiled bowl, turning to coat entire surface.
Cover with dampened cloth and let rise in a warm spot 1 – 11/2 hours.
Grease a round pan or place parchment paper on baking tray
Turn dough onto flour surface
Top with apples; knead to incorporate. Return to bowl.
Divide into 2 equal parts for 2 round challah. Divide each part into 3 or 4 strands for braiding.
Braid dough and place in round pan or on baking tray.
Cover and allow to rise for another 11/2hours
Brush top of loaves with egg and honey mixture
Bake for 15 minutes on 300, then increase temperature to 325 and bake for 15-20 minutes longer.
Take out oven and allow to cool.
