Ingredients
- 1.5 c warm water (110-115 degrees)
- 1T Honey
- 2 packets yeast
- 3 room temp eggs
- 1 cup honey (or sugar)
- 5T canola (or veggie oil) or melted butter
- 2 pinches salt
- 7.5 cups flour
Directions
Stir the following until dissolved in order. Let sit for about 10 minutes; until the yeast is growing, bubbly and happy.
- 1.5 c warm water (110-115 degrees)
- 1T Honey
- 2 packets yeast
Mix the following in order in a separate, large mixing bowl.
- 2 room temp eggs
- 1 cup of honey (or sugar)
- 5 Tablespoons canola (or vegetable oil) or melted butter
- 2 pinches of salt
Mix, then sift in 2 cups of flour.
Add the happy, bubbly yeast mixture until incorporated.
Add with a sifter, remaining 5 1/2 cups of flour.
Mix until kneadable. (You can do this part by hand or with a spatula.)
Knead for a few minutes and shape into a ball.
Sit for an hour. Deflate (gently punch it with your fist); knead for a few minutes and shape back into a ball. Cover and sit again for about 8-10 hours. (Sit time depends on temperature and humidity ... colder or dryer weather can allow for more
sit time).
When the dough holds the indention of your finger, knead a few more times. Divide the dough into 6 or 9 (mostly-)equal parts.
Shape each piece into a snake. (Remember your childhood play-dough days.)
Braid three snakes into each loaf. Braiding is simply alternating the outside piece into the middle ... top to middle, then bottom to middle, then top to middle, then bottom ... you get the point.)
Beat a single room temperature egg with a little water. Brush the loaves with the egg wash and sprinkle with salt.
Let the shaped loaves sit on your cookie sheet (a parchment paper lined grate works great over the cookie sheet to keep the bottom of the loaves from overcooking) for about 20 minutes while you preheat the oven to 350ยบ.
Bake for 20 minutes. Turn around in the oven and cook another 10 and check (add more time if needed). Remove when browned. Allow bread to cool, serve warm. Can be served with savory garlic dip or sweet with honey or your favorite jam.
Share a loaf. Break bread with those in your community. Enjoy!
