A SPECIAL TREAT FOR A SPECIAL DAY

 

Chocolate Cinnamon Raisin Challah  

I couldn’t help myself from trying out this recipe for a special treat this Sabbath! I found it online and modified it just a bit to make it whole wheat and dairy free! My mouth hasn’t watered so much in quite some time! Try it out for your loved ones!

RECIPE:
1 pkg. dry active yeast or 2 1/4 tsps of loose granulated dry active yeast
1/2 tsp sugar
1 cup warm tap water
2 3/4 to 3 1/2 cups flour
2 tsp salt
4 Tbsps sugar
1/3 cup oil
3 eggs – beaten
1/3 cup chocolate chips
1/3 cup raisins
1 Tbsp ground cinnamon

Topping:
1 small egg
1 Tbsp sesame, poppy or chia seeds
 

Directions: place yeast, 1/2 tsp sugar and 1 cup warm tap water in small container. Mix with fork and let sit for about 5 minutes to test if it is good yeast (it should get foamy). While that is sitting, mix the salt, sugar, oil and beaten eggs in medium bowl.
Add foamy yeast mixture. 
Add 1 cup of flour at a time until dough is easily turned out of bowl and then place your dough onto a lightly floured kneading surface.
Knead dough until it is no longer sticky, adding flour only as needed. Once dough can be handled without sticking to your fingers, and it is smooth and elastic, place it in a larger bowl and cover it with a dishtowel. Move your bowl to a warm area where there is no circulation (I put mine inside the microwave).
Let dough rise for two hours. It should about double in size. 

To ensure your yeast worked, punch the middle of the dough while it is still in the bowl. If it has worked, you should see some gas build-up in the bread deflate.
Remove the dough from bowl and knead in cinnamon, raisins, and chocolate for 2-3 more minutes.

This recipe makes one large loaf!
 For three stranded challah, cut the dough into 3 equal lumps. Roll each lump into a rope about a foot long. Braid like you would hair.

For six stranded challah, cut into 6 equal lumps. Roll each lump into a rope about a foot long. Braiding a six stranded challah is not like braiding hair, but it isn't too hard to grasp. Look up a how-to video online if you are not sure how. It is very pretty when finished! 
Transfer your braided loaf onto an oiled baking stone.
Cover and let braided loaf rise once more, for one hour.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Topping: in small bowl, beat one egg. Brush loaf with egg. Moisten finger with egg wash, then dip it into your seed topping. Press seeds into each section of the challah. This will make your challah very shiny and golden.
Cover with foil to prevent burning the top.
Place in preheated oven and bake for 45+ minutes until golden brown. Half way through, remove foil topping.

Enjoy!!

Posted By: Leslie Gipe

A Fresh Start

     The entire world seems to view a new year as a new beginning. A fresh start. There is something about a fresh start that seems to invigorate the spirit. Many people take advantage of a new year and come up with a "resolution". Usually they consist of being healthier (losing weight/eating better) or some kind of schedule to read through The Bible or exercise. Undoubtedly, the majority of these resolutions end up fading away after just a short time.

     I have come to the realization that most all resolutions are going to fail. Really, they are doomed from the beginning, having no foundation to stand on. Why is there no foundation? -Because we are trying to fit this new thing into our already busy lives. This same pattern seems to be prevalent in many peoples Christian walks with Yahweh. We get on a "spiritual low" and begin to feel a disconnect from our Lord and Savior. It only makes sense to say that this happens to us because we are trying to fit Yahweh into our lives rather than submitting and handing back the reigns of our daily lives to our Maker! He will handle with care!

Posted by: Leslie Gipe