Challah Challah Challah!

Well growing up going to Hebrew school and having potluck family shabbat every month so when I came to college and heard of the organization, Challah for Hunger, I jumped at the chance to make challah for a good cause. After working with challah extensively I decided to try and make my own, vegan style and boy did they turn out great, and huge. So if you want a simple, but delicious vegan challah with some tips on how to make it special just read on.


What you need:
-2 1/2 Tbsp dry active yeast
-1/3cup warm water
-7cups flour (I used both whole wheat flour and all-purpose flour, I mix mine in tupper ware after I bring them back from the store, so I don't know my exact proportions)
-1 Tbsp salt
-1/2cup dark brown sugar
-1/2cup canola oil
-2 overripe bananas
-1 cup boiling water
-1/2 cup cold water

1. In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in the warm water, whisk until frothy, set aside for approx. 10 mins
2. Mash bananas until runny, like egg yolks
3. In a alrge bowl mix the canola oil, brown sugar, salt, and boiling water. Stir until well incorporates.
4. Add the cold water to the large bowl. Stir in yeast mix
5. Add bananas
6. Add flour, one cup at a time (this is important, have patience) Towards the end you may want to use your hands
7. Turn out onto lightly floured surface. Knead for 5-10 mins, the dough should be smooth and elastic
8. Lightly coat the large mixing bowl in oil, turn the dough in it to just coat it with oil, place a damp towl or plastic wrap over the dough in the bowl and let it rise for about 1 hour, until it was doubled in size
9. Punch dough down, turn out and knead again 2-3min
10. Divide dough into 2 large balls. Then divide each ball into 3 sections, roll each section into long ropes and make 2 braids. Preheat the oven to 350F
11. Let the braids rise on a baking sheet for 45 mins.
12. Brush the challahs with either boiling water, melted butter, or soy milk.
13. Bake for 30 mins, until browned and when you tap them they sound hollow.
14. Let cool on rack.

Variations

Cinnamon Brown Sugar Challah

-Mix together brown sugar and cinnamon (use the ratios you like, I like heavy cinnamon)

-After you divide the balls into the three balls, lengthen and flatten each ball, until it is a long rectangle.

-Generously spread the brown sugar mixture into the middle of flattened dough.

-Bring the edges of together, and form long strands.

-Braid strands together and bake according to above.

Italian Herb Challah

-Mix together sundried tomatoes, chopped kamatra olives, italian seasoning, garlic powder, and a pinch of oil in a small boil.

-After you divide the balls into the three balls, lengthen and flatten each ball, until it is a long rectangle.

-Generously spread the Herb mixture into the middle of the flattened dough.

-Bring the edges of together, and form long strands.

-Braid strands together and bake according to above.

Other ideas:

-Peanut Butter and Chocolate

-Pecans and Brown Sugar

-Cinnamon Sugar Raisin

-Apple Cinnamon Walnut

-Charoset Challah (Dates, Apples, Raisins, Walnuts, Honey)

-Anything else you can think off!