a wolf angel is not a good angel

1 t sugar
1/2 c warm water
1 pkg yeast
1/2 c oil
1/2 c warm water
1/4 c sugar
2 t salt
2 eggs
3 1/2 - 4 c flour
sesame seeds
1 egg yolk beaten with 1 t water

Dissolve sugar in 1/2 c warm water in a large mixing bowl which has first been rinsed with hot water. Sprinkle yeast on top and let stand for 10 minutes. Stir to dissolve.

Combine with oil, water, sugar, salt, eggs and half of flour. Add in rest of flour slowly until dough looks right: it should be sticky. (I use a stand mixer for this, though usually a food processor is also okay. If you use a stand mixer, the dough should just start to crawl up the paddle.)

Cover dough and let rest for 10 minutes. Turn out onto a floured board and knead for 10 minutes, adding flour as needed. (You can do this part in the mixer also.)

Round up in a greased bowl. Cover and let rise in a warm place until double in bulk, about 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Punch down, cover and let rise again until double, about 45 minutes. Divide dough into 3 equal parts. Shape into strands. Place on a lightly greased baking sheet and braid loosely (you can do any other shape, but braids are traditional and pretty). Fasten ends securely. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise until double. Brush with beaten egg yolk and sprinkle with seeds. Bake at 400 for 30 minutes, until golden brown. (If you use all the egg yolk, it will burn after half an hour. Once the top looks pretty — 15 to 20 minutes — cover it lightly with tinfoil.)

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