Mini Blueberry Babka (or Bakhallah?)

I wanted to make mini babkas in a pan. I saw a recipe for babkas with challah dough, or babkallah, and used a blueberry filling.

Sourdough Challah (with added yeast)

I made another run at a four braid sourdough challah. This time I used some added yeast, and used black sesame seeds.

Sourdough Challah (no added yeast)

I wanted to make a four braid sourdough challah. I started baking Saturday morning basically following the Sourdough Challah recipe from Sourdough Home.



For some reason, I forgot that most of my sourdough recipes have added yeast. With this only sourdough yeast recipe, I found adding yeast REALLY helps the speed of the rise. (There will be more discussion of this point later...)

I found the dough rose very slowly, I was only able to braid it after about 12 hours after initial kneading. This ended up having to be an overnight recipe, I put the loaf and pan in the refrigerator, and baked it this morning.

Chocolate Cherry Challah

My husband is funny. I told him I was making a chocolate cherry challah.
He asked why.
Well, because we have a pound of chocolate covered cherries to use up, and I wanted to try a new recipe from my new cookbook. (This is just a slight variation from the recipe, I am really liking my new Smitten Kitchen cookbook...)