The dough used for making the cakelike challah can be formed into a variety of shapes, including braids, rolls and knots. The ingredients go together easily, and the bread looks beautiful when served. For the dinner table, you can form the dough into a pair of small braids, or into a single large, spectacular one.
See our Challah recipe here, and follow the directions in the steps below to form a four-strand braid.
Variation: To make one large 3-strand braid, line the 3 strands up straight to they are in front of you vertically. Cross the right strand over the middle one, then cross the left strand over the middle. Continue until you reach the ends of the ropes. Pinch them together at the top and at the bottom, and tuck the strands under at the ends.
First, cut the dough into 4 equal pieces with a sharp knife or a bench scraper. Using your palms, and starting in the center and working outward, elongate 1 piece by rolling it gently against the work surface with even pressure until you have formed a rope as long as the prepared pan. Repeat with the remaining 3 pieces.
 Line up the 4 strands in front of you horizontally. Cross the strand farthest from you across the other 3 strands so that it is nearest you. |
 Cross the strand that is now next to it across the other 2 strands away from you. Position the outside strands so that they are away from the center ones, and position the center 2 strands perfectly horizontal. |
 Bring the strand nearest you down between the 2 horizontal strands. |
 Again, bring the strand farthest from you down between the 2 straight strands. |
 Bring the strand nearest you up and across to the opposite side. |
 Starting from the strand nearest you, repeat the braiding until you reach the ends of the ropes. Pinch them together at the top and at the bottom, and tuck the strands under at the ends. |
