Stuffed Challah Hedgehogs Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment and spray with nonstick spray.
• For the ears and tail: Pinch off a large marble-size piece of dough and set aside.
• For the head and body: Form the remaining dough into an 8-inch-long teardrop shape on the prepared baking sheet. Pull the narrow end out to form a snout. Lay the tip of the snout on an overturned spoon so that it points up slightly. Coat the dough with cooking spray and let rise in a warm place until slightly puffed, about 45 minutes.
• Add the baking soda to 1/4 cup boiling water and stir until dissolved.
• With the snout facing you, visualize a widow's peak (or heart shape) a third of the way up to frame the hedgehog's face. Brush the outline of the widow's peak. Brush behind the widow's peak and the remaining dough, leaving the face unbrushed. Brush a little plain water on the end of the snout and press in a cherry for a nose. Cut two small slits in the face on either side and press in dried cherries for eyes. Divide the reserved marble-size piece of dough in thirds and roll into balls. Attach two pieces to the top of the head (on either side of the widow's peak) with plain water and press with your thumb and finger to make a concave ear shape. Attach the last ball to the back at the base for a tail. Stick the pecans under his body for feet.
• Starting at the top of the widow's peak, use sharp scissors to cut spikes in rows all down the back of the hedgehog.
• Bake until the hedgehog is risen and the back is well browned, 30 to 40 minutes. Cool on a rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Steps:

• In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the flour, sugar, yeast, orange zest and salt and whisk together. In a medium bowl, whisk together the water, orange juice, oil and 2 of the eggs.
• Add the wet to the flour mixture; stir to combine. Knead, either by hand on a floured surface or with a dough hook on medium speed for 7 to 10 minutes, adding more flour as necessary (but resist any urge to add too much!), until you have a smooth and slightly sticky dough.
• Transfer the dough to a large oiled bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let stand at room temperature until doubled in size, about 2 hours. (Alternatively, chill the dough in the refrigerator overnight, then let stand at room temperature for 1 hour before shaping.)
• Divide the dough into 4 pieces. Divide each into 3 logs and braid. Place on 2 baking sheets lined with parchment paper, spacing them evenly apart. Cover loosely and let rise 30 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining egg and 1 tablespoon water. Brush the loaves with egg wash and sprinkle with poppy seeds. Bake until they are golden and have an internal temperature of 190 degrees F; begin checking for doneness at 18 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool slightly and enjoy. (Challah is best eaten within 24 hours. After that it's ok if you toast it or use it for French toast. It also freezes well!)