Delicious Homemade Challah

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup oil
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 3 eggs
• 2 cups warm water
• 3/4 ounce fleishman's active dry yeast (3 packages)
• 8-9 cups flour

Directions

1. 1

   Follow instructions on yeast package to activate yeast in warm water for 10 minutes.

2. 2

   Mix the ingredients - putting the oil into the bowl first and then measure and add the honey - using the same measuring cup that you measured the oil inches This little trick allows the honey to run smoothly out of the measuring cup.

3. 3

   Add the remaining ingredients in the order given.

4. 4

   If using an electric mixer, let it knead for 3 minutes and then do a little hand-kneading as you transfer the dough into an oiled bowl. If it is kneaded by hand, it is necessary to knead the dough for 10 minutes.

5. 5

   Let the dough rise in a large bowl that has been coated with oil. When transferring the dough into the oiled bowl, be sure to turn it on all sides so that it gets a thin coating of oil. Place the bowl in a warm place until the dough is double in size -- then punch down and knead a bit more.

6. 6

   Place the dough back in the bowl and let it rise a second time. This should take about one hour. Punch down and cut into sizes desired.

7. 7

   After shaping the challahs, brush them generously with egg yolk and sprinkle with either poppy seeds or sesame seeds if you prefer.

8. 8

   Bake in 350-degree oven for approximately 25-30 minutes, or until the challah sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.