I verify the yeast with warm water + honey, then I throw the whole mess into the bread machine and let it mix/wait/punch down/rise etc. Then I take it out of the machine, form the challah, let it rise again on a sheetpan, egg wash, and bake it in the oven.
You can add more yeast for faster rising but since I use a bread machine I don't bother.
You can throw raisins in without affecting the rest of the recipe. Traditionally challah with raisins was for rosh hashana, and was in a circular shape rather than braided, like polish paska.
1-1/3 cups water
1 tablespoon instant yeast
1 tablespoon honey (optional)
1/4 cup vegetable oil
4 egg yolks (extra large eggs)
1 tablespoon salt
I verify the yeast with warm water + honey, then I throw the whole mess into the bread machine and let it mix/wait/punch down/rise etc. Then I take it out of the machine, form the challah, let it rise again on a sheetpan, egg wash, and bake it in the oven.
You can add more yeast for faster rising but since I use a bread machine I don't bother.
You can throw raisins in without affecting the rest of the recipe. Traditionally challah with raisins was for rosh hashana, and was in a circular shape rather than braided, like polish paska.