Challah Bread

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) unsalted butter, melted, divided
• 1/2 cup lukewarm water (about 100 degrees)
• 1/3 cup sugar, divided
• 1/4 ounce dry active yeast
• 1 cup milk
• 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 2-1/2 teaspoons kosher or sea salt
• 4 large eggs
• 6-1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for kneading
• 1 egg yolk
• 2 tablespoons milk
• coarse salt, poppy seeds, and/or sesame seeds, optional