Six-Strand Braided Challah Bread

Did i told you that am going to London's blogger's meet, three hours back it wasnt sure, but finally reserved my tickets. Thanks to Eurostar for proposing not that much expensive fares during friday evening and monday morning journey. After a long hesitation and so many long discussions,finally am going to London for a weekend trip, hubby will take care of my kids so obviously am gonna travel alone to meet many foodie bloggers like me. Am sure that am gonna have loads of fun with them all, its definitely going to be something i never ever forget in my lifetime.

Coming to the six braided challah bread, our this month's Defi Boulange, a fabulous bread baking event by Nadia and Manue challenged us a 6 strand braided challah bread. Challah bread is a jewish bread which have a wonderful rich texture with a beautiful crust eventhough butter or milk is not used in this bread. This bread is served with meats during Jewish festivals. I have already prepared Challah Bread with 4 braids,its wasnt that much difficult for me to make this 6strands braided challah. Thanks to youtube and Nadia for sharing the 6 braids challah bread link,this braided bread took just few seconds to get ready and i seriously enjoyed making it.I was very proud to serve this beautifully baked challah bread, needless to say how this bread gets vanished within few minutes with nutella spread for my kid's snack.

4cups All purpose flour
2tsp Instant yeast
1/4cup Sugar
1tsp Salt
2nos Large eggs
1/4cup Oil
1/2cup Water
Black poppyseeds
Sesame seeds

Egg wash:
1no Egg yolk
1tbsp Water

In a lare bowl, combine the eggs,oil and water, stir well.

Mix in the flour,yeast,sugar,salt and knead everything together to form a stiff dough,knead well for few more minutes until the dough turns soft and smooth dough.

Transfer the dough to a greased large bowl and cover it with plastic wrap,let it sit in a warm place until its doubled in size for about 2hours.

Gently press down the dough,reflate it and cover it again, let it sit again for about an another hour.

Take the dough in a lightly floured surface, divide into three large balls and again divide each balls into two more medium balls again.

Now you have six balls, roll them as medium sized ropes.Line them side by side, pinch the pieces together at one end and start braiding.

Watch this video to know how to make 6 strand braided Challah

Transfer it to the baking sheet lined over a baking tray, let it sit again in a warm place for half an hour.

Meanwhile mix the egg yolk and water for egg wash.

Preheat the oven to 350F.

Brush generously the rised braided bread with the egg wash,springle the black poppy seeds and sesame seeds generously.

Bake the bread for 30-35minutes or until the crust turns golden brown.

Transfer to a wire rack and cool completely before slicing.