[LegitShady]

4-1/4 cups flour

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.