Smitten Kitchen Challah Recipes

CHALLAH BREAKFAST BUNS

Steps:

• Make the dough: Whisk together the eggs, yolk, granulated sugar, oil and milk in the bottom of a stand mixer bowl. Add the flour, yeast and salt and mix with the dough hook on low until it comes together, then let the machine knead it for about 5 minutes. Scrape the dough onto a lightly floured counter just long enough to coat a mixing bowl with oil, then return the dough to the oiled bowl to rise until doubled, about 2 hours.
• For the filling and assembly: Butter a 13-by-9-inch (or equivalent size) baking dish, or coat it with nonstick spray.
• Combine the cream cheese, granulated sugar and vanilla in a medium bowl (I just use a fork to mix this).
• On a very well-floured counter, roll out the dough into a rectangle about 16 inches wide (on the side facing you) and as far away from you as it comfortably goes, usually 13 to 15 inches. Spread the cream cheese mixture all over the rolled dough. Dollop the jam over it and spread it smooth. Roll the dough into a snug spiral; it will stretch to about 18 inches wide.
• Cut the log very gently--it's going to be a soft mess, so use a sharp serrated knife or dental floss--into 1 1/2-inch segments. Arrange each in the prepared baking dish. Brush the tops of the buns with the egg wash and cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate overnight, along with the leftover egg wash (also covered).
• The next morning, remove the buns from the fridge and let warm up for 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Brush the tops of the buns with the egg wash again and sprinkle with poppy seeds. Bake until the buns are bronzed all over and have an internal temperature of 190 degrees F, about 30 minutes. Let cool slightly before serving.
• For the glaze (if using): Whisk the powdered sugar together with 3 tablespoons lemon juice until smooth, drizzling in an additional tablespoon of lemon juice as needed to loosen. Drizzle this over the buns, or serve it alongside with a spoon.

MY FAVORITE CHALLAH

Steps:

• In a large bowl, dissolve yeast and 1 tablespoon sugar in 1 3/4 cups lukewarm water.
• Whisk oil into yeast, then beat in 4 eggs, one at a time, with remaining sugar and salt. Gradually add flour. When dough holds together, it is ready for kneading. (You can also use a mixer with a dough hook for both mixing and kneading.)
• Turn dough onto a floured surface and knead until smooth. Clean out bowl and grease it, then return dough to bowl. Cover with plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour, until almost doubled in size. Dough may also rise in an oven that has been warmed to 150 degrees then turned off. Punch down dough, cover and let rise again in a warm place for another half-hour.
• To make a 6-braid challah, either straight or circular, take half the dough and form it into 6 balls. With your hands, roll each ball into a strand about 12 inches long and 1 1/2 inches wide. Place the 6 in a row, parallel to one another. Pinch the tops of the strands together. Move the outside right strand over 2 strands. Then take the second strand from the left and move it to the far right. Take the outside left strand and move it over 2. Move second strand from the right over to the far left. Start over with the outside right strand. Continue this until all strands are braided. For a straight loaf, tuck ends underneath. For a circular loaf, twist into a circle, pinching ends together. Make a second loaf the same way. Place braided loaves on a greased cookie sheet with at least 2 inches in between.
• Beat remaining egg and brush it on loaves. Either freeze breads or let rise another hour.
• If baking immediately, preheat oven to 375 degrees and brush loaves again. If freezing, remove from freezer 5 hours before baking. Then dip your index finger in the egg wash, then into poppy or sesame seeds and then onto a mound of bread. Continue until bread is decorated with seeds.
• Bake in middle of oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until golden. Cool loaves on a rack.