Challah bread can be intimidating, but it's actually easier than it looks! If you've made bread before, it will be even easier. This is a sweet version of challah, with brown sugar both in the dough and added before braiding.

Step 1: Ingredients

ingredients: (makes 2 loaves)

4 tsp. instant dry yeast

2 tsp. white sugar

1 1/3 cup warm(110*f) water

1/2 cup oil (it is important to use flavorless oil here, as opposed to stronger flavored oil such as olive oil. Avocado oil works great for challah)

3 eggs

1 1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 cup brown sugar

6 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for kneading

for filling:

1 cup brown sugar

for egg wash:

1 egg

2 tsp. water

Step 2: Proof the Yeast

In a small bowl or measuring cup, mix together warm water, yeast, and white sugar. Let sit until yeast is foamy, about 10 minutes. If the yeast isn't foamy after 10 minutes, start over with new yeast (if the yeast didn't get foamy, it is most likely dead or expired and the dough will not rise)

**make sure the water is not too warm, or it will kill the yeast (110*F is the average temperature when making bread)

Step 3: Make the Dough

In a large bowl, combine salt, 1/2 cup brown sugar, and 6 cups flour. in a separate bowl, whisk oil and 3 eggs.

When the yeast if foamy, add yeast mixture and oil mixture to the flour mixture. Stir with a wooden spoon until the dough holds together. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead 5-10 minutes, or until it forms a smooth ball. Lightly grease a clean, large bowl. Place the dough in the bowl, cover, and let rise for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.

Step 4: Braiding the Dough

Turn dough out onto lightly floured surface. Divide into 2 equal pieces. Put one piece aside. This recipe will make 2 loaves, so both pieces can be braided differently, if you want.

For a classic 3-strand braid:

Divide one piece of dough into 3 equal pieces. Roll out each a piece of dough to a 12 in. x 4 in. rectangle. Evenly spread 2 tbs. of brown sugar onto it. Starting at the long side, tightly roll up the dough and pinch together at the seams. Make sure the seams are pinched together well, or the pieces will come undone while baking. Repeat with other 2 parts of dough, to make 3 ropes of dough total. Tightly pinch all 3 strands together at the top. Braid the 3 strands together and pinch the ends. Tuck the ends under the loaf slightly.(just so they don't come apart while in the oven) Transfer to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

For a 4-strand round braid:

Divide one piece of dough into 4 pieces. Roll one piece out into a 14 in. x 4 in. rectangle. Evenly spread 2 Tbs. of brown sugar onto the rectangle and, starting at the long side, tightly roll up into a log. Repeat with the other 3.

lay 2 dough ropes next to each other on your work surface. Lay the other two on top. In one picture i have labeled each end of the dough pieces with a number in order to make it easier to follow along.

Put end 5 under end 4, and end 8 over end 1. This will make a weave pattern in the middle.

Put end 1 over end 2, 3 over 4, 5 over 6, and 7 over 8. Use the photos as reference to be sure you are braiding it correctly.

Put end 6 over end 3, end 4 over end 1, end 2 over end 7, and end 8 over end 5.

Continue the braid for 1 or 2 more rounds, or until you come to the end of the strands and cannot braid them any more. When you have come to the end, twist each end together with the end next to it and put the twisted ends under the loaf to prevent them coming apart while baking.

Place loaf on a baking sheet lined with parchment.