<Return to Recipe Page                                                                    
*Print version:  use your browser's print function to print this recipe
Recipes&Entertaining
RecipesAndEntertaining.com
 

 Sweet Potato Challah

 

A great new twist to traditional challah...
 

2 pkgs. 

 

active dry yeast

 

4 Tbs 

 

granulated sugar, separated

 

½ cup 

 

warm water

 

3 Tbs 

 

unsalted butter, melted

 

1 tsp 

 

salt

 

3 large 

 

eggs, separated

 

3 to 3½ cups 

 

flour

 

½ cup 

 

mashed sweet potatoes or yams

 

1 inch piece 

 

of grated ginger

 

 

1

In a large bowl, combine the yeast with 1 T. of the sugar and warm water in a mixing bowl. Let sit for 5 minutes. Add the remaining sugar, butter, salt and 2 of the eggs to the yeast mixture and stir to blend well. Stir in the flour, 1 cup at a time, then stir in the sweet potatoes and ginger.

2

Turn dough out onto a lightly floured board and knead for 2-3 minutes, adding only enough flour to prevent the dough from sticking to the board. The dough will be soft, so don't knead it too heavily. When the dough is smooth and springy to the touch, shape it into a ball. Put it in a greased bowl and turn to coat the surface. Cover with plastic wrap and let sit in a warm, draft-free spot until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour. This could take longer on cooler days. You may want to place the bowl in the oven on the lowest temperature setting-- less than 200 degrees. Make sure you cover it with an oven proof lid, rather than plastic wrap.

3

Punch down the dough, then shape it into a ball and let it rest for 2 minutes. Turn out onto a floured board. Divide in half. Divide each half into thirds and roll out each third into an 8" log. Pinch each of the three pieces together at their tips and braid them to create the challah; then pinch the combined ends together. Repeat the process with the other dough half.

4

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Let the loaves rise to almost double in bulk. Beat the remaining egg lightly, by hand. and paint the challah tops with it. Bake 40-45 minutes.

 

Yield: 2 loaves

 

 Cooking Tips

*If using canned sweet potatoes, be sure to drain all of the liquid before mashing.

**Try adding raisins or other dried fruit with the sweet potato.

©2007 RecipesAndEntertaining.com.   All Rights Reserved.