Sesame Seed Challah (Egyptian Holiday Bread)

• Total Time: 1 hrs 30 mins
• Prep Time: 1 hrs
• Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients:

Yield: 2 loaves

• 2 (¼ ounce) packages dry yeast
• ¾ cup water , plus more
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 3 ½-4 ½ cups flour , plus more
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 3 eggs
• ¼ cup sesame seed

Directions:

1. Combine yeast with water and pinch of sugar and set aside.
2. Combine flour, remaining sugar, salt and 2 eggs in large mixing bowl.
3. Add yeast mixture and mix well.
4. Dough will be moist and sticky.
5. Knead until dough is smooth, about 10 minutes, adding flour or water as needed.
6. Dough should still be moist.
7. Return to bowl, sprinkle dough with flour, cover with towel and let rise until doubled, about 1 hour.
8. Divide dough in half, place each half on lightly floured board and lightly knead into round loaves.
9. Place on greased baking sheet, leaving space between loaves, as they will rise and expand when baking.
10. Beat remaining egg.
11. Brush loaves with beaten egg and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
12. Bake at 350 degrees until golden brown and completely baked inside, 20 to 30 minutes.

Reviews

[Caroline Chou]

Made this recipe for Girl Scout Thinking Day, my troop had to prepare a food item from Egypt. The bread was fairly easy to make. The bread was tasty and like all breads taste best when it comes right out of the oven. The majority of the girls in the troop really liked the bread.

[najwa]

Easy and good .. I made it in my bread machine on the dough cycle and finished it in the oven .. thanks for sharing!

[little bread Meredith]

This is a very simple bread recipe if you've never made bread before. It's also a good tasting bread.