Challah - Breadman Talking

Step 1: Dissolve the sugar in the water then mix in and dissolve the yeast - Let it stand for about 10 minutes until it becomes frothy.

Step 2: Mix in 1 cup of the flour until smooth - Then mix in the egg and the oil and finally the salt.

Step 3: Add flour 1 cup at a time until you have a smooth very slightly sticky dough - Knead the dough for a few minutes until nice and smooth - Add a little flour as necessary but make sure the dough stays a little sticky(If you add too much the bread will be heavy and dense).

Step 4: Move the dough to an oiled bowl turning in the bowl to coat the dough with oil, then cover and place in a warm place until doubles ( about 1 1/2 hours).

Step 5: Remove the dough from the bowl, punch down, and then shape into loaves- divide the dough into two halves then each half into 3 or 4 pieces, Each piece becomes a 'snake' which I then braid into loaves.

Step 6: Place the shaped loaves onto an oiled baking sheet, Cover and let rise until about doubled- This will take about 45 minutes.

Step 7: About 15 minutes before the bread finishes rising, start to preheat the oven to 350F.

Step 8: Brush loaves with beaten egg yolk before placing in the oven.

Step 9: When the bread is finished rising place in the center of the oven for about 22 minutes or so - The bread will get quite brown- It is done when you tap it on the bottom and it sounds hollow.

Step 10: Cool on a rack.