Challah

• ¼ cup warm water (105°F to 110°F)
• 2 ¼ teaspoon active dry yeast
• 4 tablespoon granulated sugar, divided
• ⅔ cup cold water
• 8 tablespoon (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
• 4-⅓ cups unbleached, all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoon kosher salt
• Egg wash (1 large egg and 1 tablespoon water whisked together)
• Nonstick cooking spray

Nutritional information per serving (2-ounce slice):  Calories 119 (61% from fat) • carb. 18g • pro. 3g • fat 4g sat. fat 2g • chol. 30mg • sod. 202mg • calc. 4mg fiber 0g

1. Stir together the warm water, yeast and 2 teaspoons of the sugar into the Cuisinart® mixing bowl. Attach the dough hook and let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes.
2. Once the yeast has proofed, add the cold water, melted butter, flour and salt to the mixing bowl. Knead on Speed 2 to incorporate ingredients. Increase to Speed 4 and knead until smooth, about 5 minutes. Dough should  be soft and spring back to the touch.
3. Cover mixing bowl and let dough rise in a warm, draft-free place until volume is doubled, about 1 to 1½ hours. Line a sheet tray with parchment paper.
4. Transfer dough to a lightly floured surface and punch down. Divide dough into 3 equal pieces. Use your hands to roll each piece into a cylinder about 1½ x 14 inches. Place the cylinders side by side on the prepared tray. Braid loosely from one end. Gently pull and taper each end to a point, then pinch and tuck under loaf. Cover with plastic wrap coated with cooking spray and let rise until doubled in size, about 45 minutes.
5. Preheat oven to 375°F with the rack positioned in the lower third of the oven.
6. Brush the loaf with the egg wash. Bake for 20 minutes. Lower temperature to 350°F and bake until loaf is browned and sounds hollow when tapped, about an additional 10 minutes. Remove from oven and cool on wire rack.