Challah Bread

In a small bowl, sprinkle the yeast over the warm water and add the 1 tablespoon sugar. Let bloom until a frothy layer develops on top; about 5 minutes. (If the yeast doesn’t foam, it isn’t good anymore. Toss it and start over.)

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, 1/2 cup sugar, and salt. Make a well in the center and add the eggs and melted butter. Mix together with a wooden spoon, pulling in a little flour at a time from the sides of the bowl. Stir in the yeast mixture. Mix to combine until a shaggy dough is formed.

Turn out onto a lightly floured work surface and knead well for about 6-8 minutes. If the dough is very sticky, work in a teaspoon of flour at a time until the dough is smooth, pliable, not wet, and holds a ball-shape.

Divide dough evenly in half.

Lightly oil the inside of two large bowls. Place dough inside each one; cover with plastic wrap in a warm, draft-free place. Let rise until doubled in size, 60-90 minutes.

Working with one mound of dough at a time, punch down dough and separate into 3 equal parts. Roll each piece of dough into long ropes about 16 inches long and 1-inch thick. (If the ropes shrink as you try to roll them, let them rest for 5 minutes to relax the gluten and then try again.) Gather the 3 strands and squeeze them together at the top. Then snugly braid together as if you were braiding hair and squeeze the bottom ends together when done to secure. (For visual help, see pictures below this recipe card and watch the video.)

Repeat with the other mound of dough.

Gently transfer each braid to parchment-lined baking sheets. Cover with a clean dish towel and allow to rise until double in size and pillowy, about 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F with the rack in the center position.

Brush both loaves all over with the egg wash, making sure to get in the cracks and along the sides of the loaf. If desired, sprinkle one loaf with some poppy seeds and the other with some sesame seeds.

Bake for about 30-35 minutes, rotating the baking sheets halfway through, until deep golden brown and registers 190°F in the very middle with an instant-read thermometer.

Remove from the oven and allow to cool until just slightly warm. Slice and enjoy on its own or with a slab of butter!