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1
In a large bowl, dissolve yeast and 1 tablespoon sugar in 1 3/4 cups lukewarm water.
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2
Whisk oil into yeast, then beat in 4 eggs, one at a time, with remaining sugar and salt.
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3
Gradually add flour.
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4
When dough holds together, it is ready for kneading.
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5
(You can also use a mixer with a dough hook for both mixing and kneading.)
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6
Turn dough onto a floured surface and knead until smooth.
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7
Clean out bowl and grease it, then return dough to bowl.
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8
Cover with plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour, until almost doubled in size.
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9
Dough may also rise in an oven that has been warmed to 150 degrees then turned off.
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10
Punch down dough, cover and let rise again in a warm place for another half-hour.
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11
To make a 6-braid challah, either straight or circular, take half the dough and form it into 6 balls.
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12
With your hands, roll each ball into a strand about 12 inches long and 1 1/2 inches wide.
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13
Place the 6 in a row, parallel to one another.
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14
Pinch the tops of the strands together.
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15
Move the outside right strand over 2 strands.
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16
Then take the second strand from the left and move it to the far right.
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17
Take the outside left strand and move it over 2.
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18
Move second strand from the right over to the far left.
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19
Start over with the outside right strand.
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20
Continue this until all strands are braided.
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21
For a straight loaf, tuck ends underneath.
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22
For a circular loaf, twist into a circle, pinching ends together.
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23
Make a second loaf the same way.
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24
Place braided loaves on a greased cookie sheet with at least 2 inches in between.
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25
Beat remaining egg and brush it on loaves.
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26
Either freeze breads or let rise another hour.
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27
If baking immediately, preheat oven to 375 degrees and brush loaves again.
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28
If freezing, remove from freezer 5 hours before baking.
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29
Then dip your index finger in the egg wash, then into poppy or sesame seeds and then onto a mound of bread.
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30
Continue until bread is decorated with seeds.
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31
Bake in middle of oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until golden.
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32
Cool loaves on a rack.
