Three Flour Braid Recipes

Steps:

• In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in water. Add the oil, sugar, salt and 2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour; beat for 2 minutes. Add remaining all-purpose flour; beat for 2 minutes longer. Divide evenly into three bowls. , To the first bowl, add molasses, cocoa and caraway; mix well. Gradually add rye flour. Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and set aside. , To the second bowl, add molasses; mix well. Gradually add whole wheat flour. Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and set aside. , To the third bowl, gradually add all-purpose flour. Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover all three bowls and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour. , Punch doughs down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide each in half. Shape each half into a 15-in. rope. Place a rope of each dough on a greased baking sheet and braid; pinch ends to seal and tuck under. Repeat with remaining ropes. Cover and let rise until nearly doubled, about 30 minutes. , Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Brush with butter. Remove from pan to a wire rack to cool.

Steps:

• Combine sugar and warm water and then add dry yeast.
• Combine flours, salt in a big bowl.
• After the yeast has risen, about 10-15 minutes later, mix it with flours and also add olive oil.
• Let the dough rise twice.
• Divide the dough into 4 mini bread pieces and bake in a 400F oven.

Steps:

• Combine yeast and warm water in large mixing bowl or bowl of stand mixer.
• Let stand until yeast is dissolved, about 5 minutes Add all-purpose flour, 2 large eggs and 2 egg yolks, 3 tbsp vegetable oil, sugar and salt.
• Mix by hand or on low speed until blended.
• Gradually stir in bread flour.
• Knead for about 8 minutes by hand or with dough hook of mixer on medium speed until dough is smooth and elastic and doesn't stick to hands or bowl.
• Transfer to oiled bowl and turn it over once to coat with oil.
• Cover with plastic wrap.
• Let rise in warm place until doubled in volume, about 1-1 1/2 hours.
• Punch dough down, knead briefly, and refrigerate covered until it has again nearly doubled in volume, 4-12 hours.
• To shape the dough: Divide dough into three pieces and weigh to be sure that they are of equal size.
• On an unfloured work surface, roll into balls and let rest, covered loosely with plastic wrap, for ten minutes or so.
• Grease a baking sheet and sprinkle it with cornmeal.
• (You can also bake this on a pizza stone with cornmeal-covered parchment, which is what I do.) Roll each ball into a 13-14 inch-long rope, about 1.
• 5 inches thick and slightly tapered at the ends.
• Dust three dough ropes with rye flour (I just used AP flour) so that they will be more distinctly separated.
• Place the three dough ropes side by side and pinch top ends together.
• Lift left dough rope and place between right and middle ropes.
• Lift right dough rope and place it between left and middle ropes.
• Keep doing this until you reach the ends.
• Tuck both ends of braid underneath loaf and set it on baking sheet.
• Whisk together egg and salt and brush over the top of the loaf.
• Don't skip this step--the egg will give you a shiny, beautifully browned challah loaf!
• Loosely cover braid with lightly oiled plastic wrap.
• Let rise in a warm place until not quite doubled, about 45 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Brush loaf again with egg wash.
• If desired, sprinkle with poppy seeds or sesame seeds.
• (I prefer poppy seeds.) Bake until crust is golden brown, and bottom of loaf sounds hollow when tapped, about 30-35 minutes.
• Let cool on rack.
• To freeze, allow to cool COMPLETELY and wrap thickly with plastic wrap.
• To thaw, place in 200-250 degree oven until thawed, about 35-40 minutes.