How to make a Braid "Butterzopf" or Challah

Step 3 Shaping

After about 1.5 hours the dough has risen to twice it's initial size. This time can vary depending on temperature, yeast amount and viability and a couple of other factors. But most of the time it's between 1.5 and 2.5 hours.
Now it's time to divide the dough to the size you like. In my household, i make 3 braids out of my dough. One will be eaten, the remaining two go bagged up into the freezer, or make wonderful gifts.
To divide, i roll the dough to a strand so i can better judge it's size to divide and i also degas the dough. Then i roll one piece of dough again and then divide it into two strands of the same size. These two strands have to be rolled, until 75cm or 30 inches long. I always roll one a bit, then take the other, roll it a bit and so on. This way the dough won't rip as easily, as if you try to roll it to length in one go. I also taper off the ends a little bit.
Then i braid it, as you can see on the video. Sorry, i should have chosen a higher resolution, and it's best to turn the sound off, i would have removed it but didn't know how...
With the picture and the video, you should be able to do it. Maybe your first braids won't look very nice, at least mine didn't. If one looks especially ugly, you can take it apart, roll the strands again and start over. Of course, the form doesn't affect the taste.(If you eat it with closed eyes....)

Comments

[spicymeatball]

hey sry to be the one who has to say this but the vid isnt working other then that AMAZing instructathingy i deffinetly making some

[t.rohner]

Download it to your desktop, then play it with VLC or Mediaplayer. It works for me, i just tried it. I know, it's not user friendly. But for the moment, that's how it is.