St. Martin`s Day Weckmann Bread

Directions

1. Combine a half of warm water, yeast, 1 tsp flour and sugar in a small ball. Let stand 10 minutes.
2. In a large bowl, stir together the flour (leave 2-3 handfuls on the side for kneading or adding) and salt; add yeast, oil and rest of water with 2 beaten eggs. Mix to combine, adding more flour or water as necessary and knead the dough for about 10 minutes until dough is smooth and no longer sticky.
3. Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl. Cover the bowl and let the dough rise in a warm spot until doubled in volume about an hour.
4. Dust your counter with a little flour and turn the risen dough out on it.
5. Punch down the dough and divide into 27 (50-60g) portions, they should be a size little bit bigger that of a golf ball.
6. To shape into grapes, tuck the edges underneath to form a ball, and then roll the dough between your palms or on the counter until round. Leave 2-3 balls for leaves.
7. Arrange the balls on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper in the shape of a bunch of grapes; leaving some space between each bun, press the reserved 2-3 buns with the palm of your hand and cut into shapes for leaves.
8. Let the buns rise until they fill the gap 30-40 minutes.
9. Preheat the oven to 190 degrees C (375 degrees F).
10. Brush bread with egg yolk mixed with 2-3 tbsp water.
11. Bake until golden, 20-25 minutes.
12. Let cool on a wire rack.