Best Ever Challah - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 c. lukewarm water
3 pkg. dry yeast
8 c. flour (6 c. bread flour, 2 c. unbleached)
1 1/2 c. sugar
1 Tbsp. salt
2 sticks parve margarine
5 eggs (4 for recipe, 1 for glaze)
1 c. raisins (optional)

Preparation

Mix water and yeast in large Mixmaster bowl.
Add 2 cups bread and 1 cup regular flour and 1 cup sugar.
Stir with fork and let rise for 1/2 hour in warm place.
Meanwhile, in another bowl, measure in 4 cups bread flour and 1 cup regular, 1 tablespoon salt and 1/2 cup sugar.
Add margarine and cut in with knife until mixture resembles coarse meal.
At the end of half hour, add 4 beaten eggs to yeast mixture (mix will decrease in volume).
Add flour, margarine mixture and raisins to mixer bowl.
Use bread hook until all flour is mixed.