Shamrock Challah

What better way to celebrate St. Patrick's Day than with a Shamrock Challah!

Step 1: Divide the dough into 8 pieces.

Step 2: Roll out each piece until it is about 12 inches long.

Step 3 (optional): If you want to fill you strand, use a rolling pin to flatten each strand and then add your filling and pinch each strand closed.

Step 4: Make a "V" with the strands. Make sure the left strand always goes over the right strand and pinch the strands together underneath so that they do not separate.

Step 5: Bend the right strand and fold it over the left strand and pinch underneath.

Step 6: Bend the left strand and and place under the right strand and pinch underneath, making a pretzel shape.

Step 7: Repeat with the other 6 strands until you have 4 pretzel shapes.

Step 8: Place them close together on a buttered cookie sheet.

Step 9: Let dough rise about 30 minutes in a warm place so that it expands and fills in the empty spaces.

Step 10: Baste with egg wash (1 egg + 1/2 tbsp water).

Step 11: Bake for about 22 minutes at 350 degrees. Cover your challah with foil when it starts to brown to keep the challah cooking on the inside without changing color.