Bread Machine Honey Whole Wheat Challah

We make this every week in our house. People keep asking for the recipe -- we think they're impressed to find a healthy challah that also tastes great! It resembles actual bread more than cake. Just throw the ingredients into a bread machine with a "dough" cycle, braid, & bake!

• Ready In: 45 mins
• Serves: 15
• Yields: 3 medium-sized challah loaves

Ingredients

• 1 1⁄2 cups water
• 1  egg
• 1  egg white
• 2  tablespoons olive oil (this is equivalent to 1/6 cup)
• 3  tablespoons honey (measure using the same spoon as the olive oil so it doesn't stick!)
• 1  tablespoon sugar
• 4 3⁄4 cups whole wheat flour
• 2  teaspoons active dry yeast (or one 1/4 oz. packet)
• 1⁄8 teaspoon salt
• 1  additional egg (optional)
•  sesame seeds (optional)

Directions

1. Add water, eggs, olive oil, honey, sugar, and flour to the bread machine bowl in that order.
2. Make a well on top of the flour mound and add the yeast.
3. Add salt along the side of the flour mound.
4. Set your bread maker to run a "dough" cycle.
5. Remove dough and braid challah (this is the fun part! See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0kf0MFRpXg for instructions.).
6. (Optional) For a professional look, coat the braided challah with egg using a basting brush, and sprinkle sesame seeds on top.
7. Bake at 325 F for 30-40 minutes.