Sweet Bread Machine Spelt Challah

Submitted by Chef Erbecca

"Spelt is a wonderful alternative to wheat, particularly for those who are wheat intollerant. I developed this recipe awhile back, adapting it until I was satisfied with the end result. It's a sweet, chewy bread that is delicious straight out of the oven, but still good the next day. It isn't as light or as fluffy as wheat, but it has a great taste that I think you will enjoy. If you find that there is too much sugar in this recipe, feel free to decrease the amount you use or substitute it with honey, brown sugar, agave nectar - or whatever agrees with your taste buds and dietary restrictions."

 

• Ready In: 1hr
• Ingredients: 9
• Yields: 1-2 challas

ingredients

• 3⁄4 cup water
• 2 eggs (check for blood)
• 1⁄3 cup oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 cup white sugar
• ground flax seeds, to taste (optional)
• 3 2⁄3 cups spelt flour
• 4 teaspoons instant yeast
• raisins (optional)

directions

1. Put in the ingredients into your breadmachine in the order recommended by the manufacturer.
2. Select 'dough cycle'.
3. In my bread machine, I am able to add in raisins after the first mixing - it beeps. Check your machine for directions on adding ingredients in after starting the dough cycle.
4. Preheat oven to 350°F.
5. When taking out dough, if too sticky, roll in flour to ease shaping.
6. Braid loaves and place in oiled baking pan (I recommend 8x4 non-stick).
7. Cover with oiled plastic wrap and let rise for 45 minutes. Can skip this step if in a rush.
8. Coat top with egg yolk and sprinkle with poppy or sesame seeds, if desired.
9. Approximate bake time: One challah -. 45 minutes. Two challahs -35 minutes. Three challahs - 25 minutes.