Ingredients:
Bread:
2 packages active dry yeast
1 tsp. honey
1/2 cup warm water
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups cold water
3 eggs
1 tsp. salt
8 cups flour
Egg wash:
1 egg
2 tsp. water
Directions:
In a small bowl combine yeast with honey and warm water. Set aside for 7 to 10 minutes until yeast gets foamy. In a large bowl, mix together oil and sugar. Add cold water. Add eggs one at a time. Add dissolved yeast mixture and whisk together. Add salt. Add 1st cup flour and mix well. Continue adding flour one cup at a time until dough leaves sides of bowl. Use your hands to mix when it gets too difficult with the spoon. The dough should become smooth and shiny. Knead by hand for 10 minutes. Oil a large bowl and place the dough in a ball inside, turning to coat with oil. Cover with damp towel. Let rise for at least one hour or until doubled in bulk. Punch down dough and knead for 2 to 3 minutes. Break dough into 9 pieces and roll each into a long rope. Braid three ropes together to make one loaf. Repeat. Once the loaves are braided, close all seams by pressing ends together firmly, or the braiding will come apart during baking.
Beat 1 egg with water and brush egg wash on each loaf. Add seeds or chocolate chips if desired. Place loaves on greased baking sheet. Bake at 375* for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool. Makes 3 loaves.
Bread:
2 packages active dry yeast
1 tsp. honey
1/2 cup warm water
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups cold water
3 eggs
1 tsp. salt
8 cups flour
Egg wash:
1 egg
2 tsp. water
Directions:
In a small bowl combine yeast with honey and warm water. Set aside for 7 to 10 minutes until yeast gets foamy. In a large bowl, mix together oil and sugar. Add cold water. Add eggs one at a time. Add dissolved yeast mixture and whisk together. Add salt. Add 1st cup flour and mix well. Continue adding flour one cup at a time until dough leaves sides of bowl. Use your hands to mix when it gets too difficult with the spoon. The dough should become smooth and shiny. Knead by hand for 10 minutes. Oil a large bowl and place the dough in a ball inside, turning to coat with oil. Cover with damp towel. Let rise for at least one hour or until doubled in bulk. Punch down dough and knead for 2 to 3 minutes. Break dough into 9 pieces and roll each into a long rope. Braid three ropes together to make one loaf. Repeat. Once the loaves are braided, close all seams by pressing ends together firmly, or the braiding will come apart during baking.
Beat 1 egg with water and brush egg wash on each loaf. Add seeds or chocolate chips if desired. Place loaves on greased baking sheet. Bake at 375* for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool. Makes 3 loaves.
