In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in the warm water. Add the sugar and allow the mixture to sit and get foamy (about 5 minutes).

In the bowl of a stand mixer with the dough hook, combine 3 cups of flour, the foamy yeast mixture, buttermilk, butter, honey, and salt. Mix in an additional 3 cups of flour and mix until the dough forms a softball. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead by hand until the dough is smooth and elastic. *Note - You may need to work in the remaining ½ cup flour if the dough is extremely sticky.

Spray the inside of the bowl lightly with olive oil spray. Return the dough to the bowl and spray the top lightly with olive oil. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place the bowl in a warm, draft-free place until the dough has doubled in bulk (approximately 1 hour).

Turn the risen dough out onto a lightly floured surface and divide the dough in half. Working on a baking sheet that has been lined with parchment paper, press half of the dough out to form a slightly oblong oval (approximately 1" thick) in the center of the baking sheet. This is the base for Santa's face.

Cut off another piece of dough from the remaining ball and form it into a slight boomerang shape. This will be Santa's hat. Adhere the hat onto the top of Santa's face using water and pressing and pulling it into your desired shape. *Note - I pulled and pushed the dough for Santa's hat down on the right side at a jaunty angle.

Cut another piece of dough from the remaining piece and form a long, modified triangle shape. This will be the trim on Santa's hat. Adhere the trim to the hat using water and pressing it into place. With the remaining dough, pinch or cut off pieces that will form 2 sides of Santa's mustache, 1 nose, 2 cheeks, two eyes, holly leaves and berries (if desired), and the ball at the end of Santa's hat. Attach all the elements with water.

Place the completed Santa in a warm, draft-free place to rise a second time (approximately 45 minutes). Once risen, preheat oven to 375 degrees and bake Santa in a preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until he's golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped.

Cool Santa completely. If adding color, mix a small drop of each of the colors with about 1 tablespoon of water. Use a clean paintbrush to lightly brush color onto Santa's hat, beard, eyes, cheeks and nose, and holly berries. If you'd like a deeper color, add two or more coats, drying in-between each coat.

Serve and enjoy!!!