Pull Apart Challah

This is like the monkey-bread of challah, so sweet and delicious and fun to eat. I usually have to make a double batch so each kid can make their own. The loaves freeze beautifully, just defrost on the counter and warm up in the oven if desired.

Pull Apart Challah, courtesy of Ora Davies.

Makes 4 x 1-pound challot

Ingredients:

·      1 3-pack yeast (.75 oz)

·      5 to 6 cups flour

·      2 cups warm water

·      1 large eggs (+1 for glazing)

·      1/2 cup vegetable oil

·      1 tablespoon salt

·      1/2 cup granulated sugar

·      ½ cup honey

1.     Make the yeast slurry

In a large bowl, mix the yeast, ½ cup of sugar, 1 1/2 cups of the flour, and the 2 cups warm water. Let stand uncovered for 10 to 20 minutes, you should see bubbles. I do this in teh electric mixer bowl with the whisk attachment or a handheld whisk.

2.     Mix the dough 

Add the following ingredients into the yeast slurry: egg, oil, honey and salt and mix well. Add 2 cups of flour. Mix well, it’s ok to see a few bumps. Slowly add remaining 2-3 cups flour, 1 cup at a time until the dough is sticky on the inside but not on the outside. This can all be done in an electric mixer with the dough hook attachment.

3.     Let the dough rise

Place the ball of dough in an oiled bowl, cover with a wet dishtowel or plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for 2-4 hours.

4.     Shape and proof the dough; prepare your oven

Preheat oven to 350.

Knead the dough and shape it into balls, loaves or your preferred form. If doing pull apart, shape into balls and place in cake pans, or foil pot-pie pans, depending on size. Let rise for 30 minutes.  Egg the top of the challah and sprinkle topping over it. Challah topping is made of equal parts flour and sugar (ie 2 tablespoons flour, 2 tablespoons sugar) and enough oil to give a crumbly consistency.

5.     Bake the loaves

Bake the loaves for 25 to 30 minutes; the bottom should be lightly browned.

Baking Challah in Photos:

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Sunday: I Heart Naptime, Nifty Thrifty Things, Inspired Honeybee, Nest for Less Monday:Between Naps on the Porch, Sumo's Sweet Stuff, Thrifty Decor Chick, Alderberry Hill, Debbie Doo's, Home Stories A to Z, Home Savvy AtoZ , Delectable Home Tuesday: Coastal Charm, Tip Junkie, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, Carolyn's Homework, Made in a Day, Our Delightful Home, A Bowl Full of Lemons, Get Your Craft On, Kurtz Corner Wednesday: Savvy Southern Style, Mommy Solutions, Power of Paint, Newlyweds Recipe Linky, It's Overflowing, Southern Lovely Thursday: The Shabby Creek Cottage, Made in a Day, House of Hepworths, the 36th Avenue , Bloggeritaville Craft, Scrappy, Happy, 52 MantelsFriday: Serenity Now, Tatertots and Jello, The Shabby Nest, Thirty Handmade Days, Addicted 2 Decorating, Funky Junk Interiors, Financial Friday, Furniture Friday, At the Picket Fence, The Rooster and the Hen