Ima's Challah

Name: Ima's Challah
Prep time: 4 h 25 min
Cook time: 22 min
Total time: 4 h 47 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups warm water, divided; 1/4 cup plus 2 teaspoons sugar, divided; 2 tablespoons active dry yeast; 6 cups flour, either all-purpose or half all-purpose/white whole wheat, plus more for the surface; 2 teaspoons kosher salt; 1 pinch ground cardamom, optional; 4 large eggs, plus 1 large egg yolk for the egg wash, if desired; 2/3 cup vegetable or canola oil, plus more for greasing; 1/4 cup mild honey, plus 1 tablespoon for the egg wash, if desired