CHALLAH BREAD

Ingredients
- 1¾ cups warm water
- 1½ tbsp active dry yeast
- 1 tbsp white sugar + ½ cup
- ½ cup vegan butter softened or vegetable oil
- 10 tbsp aquafaba + up to 10 tbsp for wash
- 1 tbsp salt
- 7½ to 8½ cups all-purpose flour
- Sesame seeds for sprinkling, optional
Directions
Step 1
In a large bowl or bowl of your stand mixer, combine; 1¾ cups lukewarm water, yeast, and 1 tbsp sugar. Allow it to sit for 10 mins or until yeast bubbles and froths.
Step 2
Whisk, or use the whisk attachment for your mixer, and mix in vegan butter or oil, and 10 tbsp aquafaba, 3 tbsp at a time.
Whisk in ½ cup of sugar and 1 tbsp salt.
Step 3
Using your dough hook (or hands if you do not have a stand mixer) gradually add in flour 1 cup at a time, mixing between each addition, until the dough holds together.
Knead dough until smooth. If you are using a stand mixer, do this with your dough hook. If you are doing this by hand, do this on a floured work surface.
Step 4
Grease a large bowl with vegan butter or olive oil. Add dough, and cover with a wrap or damp dishcloth. Place in a warm place (I like to put it in my oven with the light on), and let it rise for 1 hour, or until it’s almost doubled in size.
After it’s doubled in size, punch down the dough, and cover again. Let rise for another half an hour.
This will make 2 loaves, so cut your dough in half. Next braid your Challah.
Step 5
To make a 6-braid challah:
Take half the dough and form it into 6 balls.
With your hands, roll each ball into a strand.
Place the 6 strands in a row, and pinch the tops of the strands together.
Then, follow my favorite video tutorial here:
Then place a large baking mat on top of a baking sheet and grease the mat.
Place braided loaves on the greased baking mat with at least 2 inches in between.
To make a 3-braid Loaf:
Take half the dough and form it into 3 balls.
With your hands, roll each ball into a strand.
Place the 3 strands in a row, and pinch the tops of the strands together.
Braid as you would a hair in your hair. Tuck ends under the loaf.
Place braided loaves on a greased baking sheet with at least 2 inches in between.
Step 6
Brush both loaves with 3 tbsp aquafaba or more as needed to cover completely, and allow to rise for another hour.
Meanwhile, preheat oven to 375F.
Step 7
When ready to bake, brush loaves with additional aquafaba and then leave as is, or sprinkle with sesame seeds.
Bake on middle rack for 30-35 mins, or until golden brown, spin 180 degrees halfway through for even baking.
Cool loaves on a wire cooling rack.
Slice and Enjoy!
Original Recipe & Photo by The Edgy Veg