Description
This Star Bread recipe is a beautifully shaped, soft and fluffy sweet bread layered with cinnamon sugar butter filling. Perfect for breakfast or dessert, the bread is twisted into star points, making an eye-catching centerpiece. Mildly sweet with a buttery cinnamon aroma, it’s great warm or reheated and can be customized with Nutella or jam for variety.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup warm milk (about 110°F)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 large egg
Filling
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter (melted)
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar mixed with 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Topping
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: In a large mixing bowl, combine warm milk, yeast, and 1 tablespoon of sugar. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until it becomes foamy, signaling the yeast is active and ready.
- Prepare Dough: Add remaining sugar, softened butter, egg, salt, and flour to the yeast mixture. Mix together and knead for about 8–10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic, then cover the bowl.
- First Rise: Let the dough rise in a warm place for 1 to 1.5 hours until it doubles in size, allowing the gluten to develop for a tender crumb.
- Divide and Roll: Punch down the risen dough and divide it into 4 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a 10-inch circle on a floured surface.
- Assemble Layers: Place one dough circle on a parchment-lined baking sheet and brush with melted butter. Evenly sprinkle cinnamon sugar mixture over it. Repeat layering with the next two dough circles, each brushed and sprinkled similarly. Place the final dough circle on top without any filling.
- Cut and Twist: Place a small cup in the center of the stacked circles to mark the middle. Cut the dough into 16 equal strips from the cup edge to the outer dough edge. Take two adjacent strips, twist them away from each other twice, then pinch their ends together to seal. Repeat this around to form 8 star points.
- Second Rise: Lightly cover the shaped bread and allow it to rise for 20–30 minutes to become puffy again.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the star bread for 20–25 minutes or until golden brown on top and fully cooked through.
- Finish: Remove from oven and immediately brush with melted butter. Dust the top lightly with powdered sugar for a pretty, sweet finish. Serve warm for best flavor.
Notes
- The filling can be replaced with Nutella, jam, or chocolate spread for flavor variations.
- This bread is best enjoyed warm but reheats well in the microwave or oven for convenience.
- Ensure the milk is warm, not hot, to preserve yeast activity.
- Use fresh active dry yeast for best rising results.
