Christmas Bread Almond Filled Challah Recipes

ALMOND-FILLED BREAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, dissolve yeast and 1 tsp sugar in warm milk.
• Let stand 5-10 minutes or until foamy.
• Stir remaining sugar, butter or margarine, salt and egg into yeast mixture until blended.
• Stir in 2 cups flour until combined.
• Stir in enough remaining flour to make a soft dough that comes away from side of bowl.
• On a lightly floured surface, knead in enough remaining flour to make a stiff dough.
• Knead 8-10 minutes or until smooth and elastic.
• Clean and grease bowl.
• Place dough in greased bowl, turning to coat all sides.
• Cover with a lightly damp towel.
• Let rise in a warm place, free from drafts, until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour.
• To make filling, in a small bowl, blend ground almonds and sugar.
• Stir in egg white, milk and almond extract until thoroughly blended.
• Set aside.
• Grease a 9" x 5" loaf pan.
• Punch down dough.
• On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to a 12" x 9" rectangle.
• Spread almond mixture over dough to within 1/2 inch of edge.
• Sprinkle chopped cherries and raisins over almond mixture.
• Roll, jelly-roll style, starting at 1 short end.
• Pinch ends to seal.
• Place filled loaf, seam-side down, in greased pan.
• Cover with a dry towel; let rise until doubled in bulk.
• Preheat oven to 375degrees.
• Beat egg with milk to make glaze.
• Brush top of loaf with egg-yolk glaze.
• Bake in preheated oven 35-40 minutes or until top is deep golden brown and loaf sounds hollow when tapped on bottom.
• Remove from pan; cool on a wire rack.
• To make icing, in a small bowl, stir powdered sugar and 1 tbsp water until smooth, adding more water if necessary.
• Spoon icing on top of loaf; decorate loaf with toasted almonds and cherry quarters.
• Let stand until icing is set.

CHRISTMAS BREAD (ALMOND-FILLED CHALLAH)

Steps:

• Pour lukewarm (110oF) water into a small bowl. Add 1 teaspoon sugar and stir until dissolved. Sprinkle yeast over top. Do not stir. Let stand for 10 minutes, until mixture is foamy.
• Meanwhile, measure 3 cups flour into a large bowl. Using a fork, stir in 1/4 cup sugar and 2 tsp salt. Form a well in centre of mixture. Add eggs, oil and yeast mixture. Stir well, using a spoon, just until blended.
• Turn dough onto lightly floured surface. Knead dough with floured hands. When dough becomes sticky, liberally sprinkle flour on kneading surface. Continue kneading until dough forms a smooth satiny ball, about 10 minutes. By this time, you will have incorporated most of flour, and dough should bounce back when pressed with your finger.
• Place dough in a large oiled bowl. Roll around inside of bowl until dough is completely covered with a light coating of oil. Cover bowl with a piece of oiled waxed paper, topped by a damp cloth. Let stand in a warm place, such as on top of the refrigerator, until doubled in size, about 45 minutes.
• In the meantime, prepare filling. In a small bowl, blend ground almonds and sugar. Stir in egg white, milk and almond extract until thoroughly blended.
• Set aside.
• Punch down dough. Cover and let rise again until double in size, about 45 minutes.
• Divide dough into 3 equal parts. Roll into long strands. Flatten each strand with rolling pin. Spread almond filling over each strand to 1/4 inch from sides. Roll back into long strands.
• Place strands on a lightly greased baking sheet. And braid loosely. Tuck in ends.* Cover with a damp cloth and let dough rise until doubled in size, about 45 more minutes.
• Preheat oven to 400oF. Whisk egg yolk with water. Brush loaf with beaten egg yolk. Bake in centre of preheated oven until golden brown, about 30 minutes Place piece of foil paper over bread if browning too quickly.
• *You can also shape braid into a circle to form wreath and decorate with an icing sugar frosting, almonds and cherries.

CHALLAH BREAD PUDDING

Steps:

• Prepare bread pudding: Put challah pieces in a large bowl; add half-and-half. Cover and let sit for 1 hour.
• After 1 hour, preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Butter a 9x13-inch baking dish.
• Whisk sugar, eggs, melted butter, and almond extract together. Stir into the challah mixture. Fold in almonds and raisins and pour into the prepared baking dish.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 50 minutes. Remove from the oven; keep the oven on.
• Mix together confectioners' sugar, melted butter, amaretto liqueur, and egg for sauce. Pour over bread pudding and bake for 10 to 15 more minutes. Serve warm.