Since I would like to show h.com that I am not THAT pathetic, I would like to make fancy challah for shabbos. I already have the dough rising, but need very '101 for dummies' instructions on how to do a nice braid.

Secondly, I need to know a nice way to 'top' it? (I ran out of sesame/poppy seeds so that can't work.)

Ok so I watched someone's blog video of a 6-braid and I think it goes like this (the dashes mean to separate a bit to leave space) - if it's wrong please let me know asap.

123456
6-12345
6-2345-1
6-23-45-1
23-6-45-1
5-23-64-1
5-23-1-64
5-31-64-2
3-15-64-2
4-31-56-2
4-31-25-6
4-12-56-3
1-24-56-3
6-12-45-3
6-12-34-5
6-23-45-1
2-36-45-1
5-23-64-1
5-23-16-4
5-31-64-2
3-15-64-2
4-31-56-2
If the challah goes longer than that, I'm in big trouble.

I also have to figure out some way to keep track of my strand numbers.

first right over 2
second from left over all
first left over 2
second from right over all

Just chant it.

I don't get what that means.
The furthest on right goes over the 2 next to it?
second from left goes over all of those to the right next to it?
furthest on left over 2 immediately to it's right?
second from right over all to those left of it?

If so, I will write it down but can you please confirm first?

Thanks!

yes, that is correct.

ok, here goes nothing - I will iy"h try this when I get home.

Thinking of you and your challah, hope you are successful.
I can't wait to be home and able to bake challah again.

If you want fast, easy and very pretty looking try the 'flower'. Roll a long strand, cut notches half-way through down one side (about an inch apart, then start to roll it in on itself like the round rosh hashana challahs, keeping the notches facing outside and arrange so the 'petals' are in between each other. Take less than 2 mins and looks great. Will post a pic when I can find it.

FYI, how did it go?

I don't get it?!?! What do I do? How is it supposed to look?


Mh said 'FANCY!!!!'. It was pretty fancy, but not fancy enough to warrant the time and energy it took. Instead, I did what I think Spiffy once posted she does for Rosh Hashana for the second challah and it was faster, easier, and also pretty. I made a regular 3-brand and had ends come together in a circle. I posted pics in the 'Show us what you cooked' thread.

To fake a 6 strand braid, split the dough in 2 parts--one twice the size of the other (so 2/3 and 1/3 of the dough). Make a 3 strand braid from each, and put the little braid on top of the big one.

That's also good. FYI, the 6 braid gets much easier with practice.