Sweet New Year Challah Crown Recipe Shared by Maafe Neeman

As the Jewish New Year approaches, a recipe for a festive and airy "Challah Crown" has been shared by Mimi Neeman Sheik, a baker and co-owner of the Maafe Neeman bakery chain. The recipe aims to provide a visually appealing and delicious centerpiece for holiday tables.

The "Challah Crown" is described as soft, golden, and exceptionally light, designed to be dipped in honey for a sweet start to the new year. The recipe details the ingredients, including 500 grams of white flour, 1 tablespoon of dry yeast, 3 tablespoons of sugar, 1 teaspoon of salt, 1 egg, a quarter cup of oil, and approximately one cup of lukewarm water.

Preparation involves mixing dry ingredients, then adding wet ingredients to form a soft, flexible dough. After an initial rise of about an hour, the dough is divided into eight equal balls. These balls are arranged in a circle in a round pan, where they will expand to form a crown shape during a second proofing of 30-40 minutes. The challah is then brushed with a beaten egg, sprinkled with sesame seeds, and baked at 180 degrees Celsius (356°F) for 25-30 minutes until golden brown.

A key tip for achieving an airy texture emphasizes not adding too much flour during kneading, as the dough should feel soft and slightly sticky initially. The recipe is credited to Mimi Neeman Sheik of Maafe Neeman.