Sesame Seed Challah (egyptian Holiday Bread)

Total Time: 1 hr 30 mins Preparation Time: 1 hr Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients

• 2 (1/4 ounce) packages dry yeast
• 3/4 cup water, plus more
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 3 1/2-4 1/2 cups flour, plus more
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3 eggs
• 1/4 cup sesame seeds

Recipe

• 1 combine yeast with water and pinch of sugar and set aside.
• 2 combine flour, remaining sugar, salt and 2 eggs in large mixing bowl.
• 3 add yeast mixture and mix well.
• 4 dough will be moist and sticky.
• 5 knead until dough is smooth, about 10 minutes, adding flour or water as needed.
• 6 dough should still be moist.
• 7 return to bowl, sprinkle dough with flour, cover with towel and let rise until doubled, about 1 hour.
• 8 divide dough in half, place each half on lightly floured board and lightly knead into round loaves.
• 9 place on greased baking sheet, leaving space between loaves, as they will rise and expand when baking.
• 10 beat remaining egg.
• 11 brush loaves with beaten egg and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
• 12 bake at 350 degrees until golden brown and completely baked inside, 20 to 30 minutes.