Cold and Winter days

It is a cold a wintery day here in Kansas City. With a little cabin fever I have decided to make one of my favorite bread recipes. Challah bread. Honey, raisins and some love it is a sure to be  a favorite of yours as well. The recipe seems complicated at first but no fear I will provide photos of step by step so you don't have any problems.

• 2 packages dry yeast
• 2 1/2 cups warm water
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1 Tbsp. salt
• 3/4 cup oil
• 4 eggs
• 9 cups flour

Glaze

• 1 egg yolk, beaten
• 1 tsp. water
• Poppy seeds

Dissolve yeast in water in a large bowl. Add honey and let stand 2 minutes, until yeast foams. Add salt, oil, and eggs and mix well.

Gradually add flour, 2 cups at a time, mixing after each addition. As mixture gets stiff, use floured hands and begin kneading. Knead for 7 minutes, turning dough over often.

Let rise in greased bowl until doubled in size, approximately 1 hour. Punch down dough.

Divide dough into thirds, and braid the dough, place in greased pans or on baking sheet. Let rise again until doubled in size.

Brush with glaze. Bake at 350 until bread is golden brown.