Luscious Challah

Ingredients

• 1 cup water
• 2 tablespoons water
• 2 whole eggs
• 1 egg yolk
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon bread enhancer (optional)
• 3 tablespoons potato flakes
• 2 tablespoons wheat germ
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 14 cup vegetable oil
• 1 13 cups whole wheat flour
• 2 23 cups bread flour
• 2 teaspoons instant yeast
• 1 teaspoon water
• 1 egg white
• sesame seeds or poppy seed
• if desired

Instructions

1. Put ingredients in bread machine according to your manufacturer's directions and put on 'dough cycle.'
2. Don't throw the egg white away -- you will use it to brush the loaf with later.
3. Once the ingredients are mixed, check the consistency if you can.
4. I usually let the machine pause for about 20 minutes for the 'autolyse'.
5. You can make two smaller braids or one large one.
6. I love a six-braided loaf!
7. (Check some bread cookbooks for directions -- too difficult to explain how to braid into six pieces without pictures!)
8. For a nice structure, divide into pieces, and then flatten each piece into a free--form rectangle about 1/4 - 1/2 inch thick.
9. Roll up each piece, and gently pull to elongate into ropes, and braid.
10. Let rise about 45 minutes.
11. Mix one egg white with 1 teaspoons water and brush over bread.
12. Top with seeds, if desired.
13. Bake at 350 for 25-35 minutes, depending on the thickness of the loaf (loaves).
14. To keep the crust crisp, store cut end down on a breadboard, not in a plastic bag.
15. Enjoy!