Our December recipe for HBinFive is Whole Grain Challah with Cranberries and Orange Zest. I was very happy to see a Challah as our bonus recipe because it’s so easy and I love braiding bread. With Christmas less then 3 weeks away, I really did not want a recipe that was fussy. Although braiding bread looks difficult, it’s not and I thoroughly enjoy it and the 5-strand Challah is my favorite. At the end of my post is a short video, less then two minutes, demonstrating just how easy the 5-Strand Challah is to make!
You can find the recipe for the Whole Grain Challah with Cranberries and Orange Zest by clicking on the link. However, I did make some changes to this recipe. First of all I made a half recipe and for the flours I used 1 1/2 c. AP Unbleached White Flour, 1 Cup Whole Wheat Flour and 1 1/2 c. White Whole Wheat Flour. And for the Wheat Germ I substituted Amaranth Flour.
Orange Sugar Confection
Recipe adapted from “not a clue”
1 large naval orange
1/2 c. of sugar
Zest the entire Orange. Mix the orange zest with the sugar.
The sugar will be damp and you will need to let it dry out. I just spread the orange sugar on a cutting board, parchment paper or a plate and after an hour or so I transfer it to the bowl. Once in the bowl I stir it with a fork and break up any sugar clumps. Over the next 2 days, every once in a while repeat stirring with a fork and breaking up any clumps until the orange sugar is completely dry. The sugar will preserve the orange and there will be no taste lost and it will keep for at least 6 months or so in a tupperware like container or ziplock bag. However it will fade if exposed to light, so keep it in a kitchen cabinet towards the back.
You can use the same technique and make your own Garlic Salt which is so good on Homemade Potato Chips.
Garlic Salt
2-3 TBL Kosher Salt
2 large cloves of garlic
Put garlic cloves through a garlic press. Mix pressed garlic and salt. Let air dry by spreading out the salt on a plate or parchment paper. As the garlic salt dries periodically break up any clumps with a fork. When the garlic salt is completely dry store in a covered tupperware-like container or ziplock bag.
A Book and A Bag Giveaway
And don’t forget to enter my A Bag and a Book Giveaway. The Bamboo Bread Bag is impeccably designed by Ann Arnold. And the book, “The Adventurous Chef: Alexis Soyer” was authored and illustrated by Ann Arnold.
And Ann has a special offer for all HBinFive Members!
All Rights Reserved 2008-9 © Big Black Dog
That looks fabulous Michelle! I haven’t actually made a braided bread in years. Love the cranberries!
Thanks for the tutorial…I may give braiding bread a try this holiday (heck if I can french braid hair on a wiggly 4 year old I should be able to do this no?!)
My MIL makes lovely braided breads. Her European background shines through.
She would also make stollen, have you ever made that?
Love the orange sugar and garlic salt. Great ideas!!! Your challah looks beautiful. Thanks for the video,it helps. I will braid some bread dough sooner or later but I took a different path with my challah. I must learn to make half batches. I have so much bread around here. At least it’s healthy bread, right???
BTW-I’m working on getting that potato recipe for you. The stuffed mini potatoes. The recipe is my SIL’s and she hasn’t gotten back to me yet. We just had them last Sunday at our company party!
Have a great weekend Michelle!
That is a pretty looking loaf of bread!
The bread looks so good Michelle! I am starting mine today. I think I am going to flip the whole wheat and AP flour quantities since that’s what another person did and said it came out less dense. So excited!
Your braid looks awesome.
Gorgeous loaf! I prepared the dough yesterday, and will be making one loaf today. I’m looking forward to tasting it.
Thanks for sharing not only your modifications to the recipe but the recipes for the sugar and salt. I think when I make this bread again I will go with your flour combination to see if I can get a more open crumb. I’m thinking this dough would be great for knot rolls – I may try that next.
Mmmm… challah with cranberries and orange zest. I love those two ingredients. Sounds delicious!
XO,
Sheila
It turned out beautifully! Mine is on its second rise right now and I cannot wait to have fresh baked bread tonight! What is the special offer for HBin5 members??
Yours turned out beautifully! I needed braiding 101
oops nevermind…just went back and found it! :/ Oi, I should learn to read through things better.
Your breads are always flawlessly gorgeous and look delicious! What a nice touch for the holidays as well.
Yum! I love the flavors in this bread! The video was great to show how to do the 5 braid, especially the end.
I don’t know which is more gorgeous..the bread, the plate, or the tablecloth!
My braiding skills leave a lot to be desired, but I definitely will give it a try again, thanks to the tutorial.
I saw this bread on Judy’s blog and had to come over for the recipe. It looks so good and would be perfect for Christmas.
I adore all of the bright flavors in this bread. The braid makes it so beautiful!
Michelle, I bet your home smelled absolutely wonderous while this was baking!!! Those ingredients, baking together – yup, yummy scents must have been wafing about!
I have to admit, I’m dying to make something other than cookies at this point. This is yet another gorgeous hunk of bread. The flavors are perfect! I love braided breads. So fun!
Yum… This bread looks wonderful and festive! I love cranberries and orange around the holidays. Sounds like a nice break from all of the cookies!