Bread Week #5 Sweet Challah Bread

Isn't this gorgeous? If there was a Dessert Club prize for Most Beautiful, this would have won it, hands down. (The maker has a 1 1/2-year-old daughter; when her hair gets longer I can't wait to see what she does with it!) Also this was one of the only, if not the only, breads that got made twice. "Breads & Spreads" night was cancelled once for snow, but many of us had already started or made our bread by the time we cancelled. A.M. and her husband ate this entire loaf up in a 12-hour period. And then she made it the next week for our reschedule, whereas most of us tried something else.

Not blaming her at all. If I had made something so beautiful, sweet, rich, airy, buttery, and delectable as this the first time, I might repeat it as well. Her notes are: "I sprinkled sugar on top instead of the traditional poppy seeds. I also did the first rising in the fridge overnight." Which is a nice option to know about; if you do it all in one day it takes about 3 1/2 hours start to finish (from just eyeballing the recipe.)

Sweet Challah Bread (print recipe)
1 package dry yeast (about 2 1/4 teaspoons)
1 cup warm water (100° to 110°)
3 tablespoons honey
Dash of saffron threads, crushed
3 tablespoons butter, melted and cooled
1 teaspoon salt
1 large egg
3 cups bread flour (about 14 1/4 ounces), divided
Cooking spray
1 teaspoon cornmeal
1 teaspoon water
1 large egg yolk, lightly beaten
1/4 teaspoon poppy seeds

1. Dissolve yeast in 1 cup warm water in a large bowl; stir in honey and saffron threads. Let stand for 5 minutes. Add melted butter, 1 teaspoon salt, and egg; stir well with a whisk.

2. Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Add 2 3/4 cups flour to yeast mixture, and stir until a soft dough forms. Cover and let stand for 15 minutes.

3. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead until smooth and elastic (about 8 minutes); add enough of remaining flour, 1 tablespoon at a time, to prevent dough from sticking to hands (dough will be very soft).

4. Place dough in a large bowl coated with cooking spray, turning to coat top. Cover and let rise in a warm place (85°), free from drafts, 40 minutes or until doubled in size. (Gently press two fingers into dough. If indentation remains, the dough has risen enough.)

5. Punch dough down. Shape dough into a ball; return to bowl. Cover and let rise an additional 40 minutes or until doubled in size. Punch dough down; cover and let rest 15 minutes.

6. Divide dough into 3 equal portions. Working with 1 portion at a time (cover remaining dough to prevent drying), on a lightly floured surface, roll each portion into a 25-inch rope with slightly tapered ends. Place ropes lengthwise on a large baking sheet sprinkled with cornmeal; pinch ends together at untapered ends to seal. Braid ropes; pinch loose ends to seal. Cover and let rise 20 minutes or until almost doubled in size.

7. Preheat oven to 375°. Combine 1 teaspoon water and large egg yolk, stirring with a fork until blended. Uncover loaf, and gently brush with egg yolk mixture. Sprinkle evenly with 1/4 teaspoon poppy seeds. Bake at 375° for 30 minutes or until loaf sounds hollow when tapped. Cool on a wire rack. Recipe from Cooking Light, November 2005

Whipped Orange Honey Butter

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/4 cup honey

1 or 2 t brown sugar

zest of 1/2 an orange

Whip butter with mixer until light and fluffy. Mix in other ingredients.
Recipe from Dessert Club member A.M.