Bread Machine Challah

Ingredients

• 1 cup warm water
• 0.5 cups white sugar
• 0.5 cups vegetable oil
• 2 large eggs , room temperature
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 2.5 teaspoons salt
• 4 cups bread flour
• 2.25 teaspoons bread machine yeast

Instructions

1. 1

   Place warm water, sugar, oil, eggs, honey, salt, flour, and yeast into a bread machine in the order listed, or follow the order recommended by the manufacturer if different. Select Dough cycle; press Start.

2. 2

   Remove dough from the machine after the cycle is done and place on a lightly floured board. Punch dough down and let rest for 5 minutes.

3. 3

   Meanwhile, grease a baking tray.

4. 4

   Divide dough in half, then divide each half into 3 equal pieces. Roll each piece into ropes, about 12- to 14-inches long. Braid 3 ropes into a loaf to form 2 loaves. Gently place loaves onto the prepared baking tray. Mist loaves with water and cover loosely with plastic wrap. Let rise in a warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, 1 to 1 1/2 hours.

5. 5

   Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

6. 6

   Make egg wash: Beat together egg and water in a small bowl until well combined.

7. 7

   Brush the top and sides of loaves with egg wash.

8. 8

   Bake in the preheated oven for about 20 to 25 minutes. If loaves begin to brown too soon, cover them loosely with aluminum foil.