A Round Challah - And Sweet too!

Every week we braid the challah... (sometimes there are 6 strands of dough for the 6 days) The braid is a creative expression as there are no natural braids in nature...

On Rosh Hashanah we have a round challah and it is made with a sweeter dough and often has rasins or fruit inside or candy on top... all in the tradition to symbolize a sweet year ahead.

The round challah is sometimes referred to as a turban or a crown for God as our ruler. The round shape also symbolizes a wish for a perfect year and the cycle of life and the year,

The sweet bread is made EVEN SWEETER as we dip it in honey!

Technically, the word 'challa' isn't the name of the bread at all. The 'challa' is a small piece of dough which is separated from the rest of the dough before baking. This is baked and then burnt to remember the distruction of the Temple. It is disgarded after a special prayer is said.

But Challah is best when you make it yourself... Make it in the bread machine:
INGREDIENTS:
3/4 cup milk (or other liquid if serving meat)
2 eggs
3 tablespoons margarine
1 tablespoon honey
1/2 cup raisins or cranberries other dried fruit pieces.
3 cups bread flour
1/3 cup white sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
DIRECTIONS:
Add ingredients to the pan of the bread machine in the order suggested by the manufacturer.
Select dough settings. Start.

Take the dough out -Form into a round crown spiral shape (remembering to take a small piece 'the challah' to burn - let the round dough rise - put egg & water wash on top and sprinkle with candy sprinkles if you want.

and bake till done in 350 degree oven.