Bread Machine Challah

I pretty much developed this recipe on my own. I fiddled and tweaked for months until I got it just right. It is just scrumptious.

• Ready In: 2 hrs
• Serves: 4-5
• Yields: 4-5 challahs

Ingredients

• 1  cup water
• 3 1⁄2 tablespoons  oil
• 3  egg yolks
• 3 1⁄2 cups flour, and
• 2  tablespoons flour
• 1⁄2 cup sugar
• 3⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 2 1⁄4 teaspoons dry yeast
• 1  egg
•  sesame seeds (optional) or  poppy seed (optional)

Directions

1. Place all ingredients in the bread machine in the order required by your machine and set it for dough cycle.
2. After the dough cycle finishes, take out the dough and divide into 4-5 pieces.
3. Divide each piece into 3-6 ropes and braid to make 4-5 challahs.
4. Preheat the oven to 350.
5. Place challahs on a lined baking sheet and cover and let rise for 30 minutes.
6. Brush with egg and sprinkle with sesame seeds or poppy seeds if desired.
7. Bake for 30 minutes or until they sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.