Challah (makes 2 loaves)

INGREDIENTS
2.25 teaspoons active dry yeast
1 tablespoon plus 5 tablespoons sugar
0.25 cups vegetable oil
2 large eggs + 1 egg for brushing exterior
0.5 tablespoons salt
4-4.25 cups all-purpose flour (unbleached)
0.9 cups warm (but not hot) water
(optional) sesame seeds for sprinkling

PREPARATION

Step 1: Put warm water into bread machine with yeast and 1 tablespoon sugar. Mix together and let stand for 10 minutes to activate the yeast.
Step 2: Add the remaining sugar, vegetable oil, 2 large eggs, and salt and mix together
Step 3: Add flour
Step 4: Run bread machine dough cycle
Step 5: Braid the challahs any way you'd like. Let sit for 1 hour rises.
Step 6: Preheat the oven to 350 F
Step 7: After braided dough rises, beat another egg with a teaspoon of water. Brush the exterior of the challah with the egg. Add sesame seeds if desired.
Step 8: Place in middle rack of oven and cook to internal temperature of 135 F