Challah - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 oz. compressed yeast or 2 pkg. dry yeast
1 1/4 c. lukewarm water
1/4 c. sugar
1/3 c. vegetable oil
1 tsp. salt
3 eggs, beaten
5 to 6 1/4 c. unbleached flour
1 egg
1 Tbsp. honey
poppy seed (optional)
1/2 c. raisins (optional; add after dough has been kneaded 5 to 10 minutes)

Preparation

In a large mixing bowl, dissolve the yeast in the lukewarm water, mixing with a spoon to combine.
Add the sugar, oil, salt and the 3 beaten eggs, mixing well.
Add 4 cups of the flour, gradually beating into the mixture.
The batter will be lumpy and runny.
Add more flour, using the spoon to combine, until the dough is too thick to beat.
The dough should be stiff, but sticky.