Description
A beautifully shaped star bread filled with a sweet cinnamon or chocolate filling, perfect as a festive centerpiece for holiday breakfast or brunch. This European-inspired bread features layers of soft dough twisted into an elegant star shape and baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
For Dough:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 ¼ teaspoons instant yeast
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 cup warm milk (about 110°F/43°C)
- ¼ cup melted butter
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon salt
For Filling:
- ¼ cup melted butter
- ⅓ cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon or cocoa powder
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine warm milk, instant yeast, sugar, melted butter, egg, and salt. Mix until well blended. Gradually add flour while stirring, then knead the mixture until you have a smooth and elastic dough.
- First Rise: Cover the dough with a clean towel or plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place for 1 to 1½ hours, or until it has doubled in size.
- Divide and Roll: Once risen, punch down the dough and divide it into 4 equal parts. Roll each part into an equal-sized circle of about 10 inches in diameter.
- Assemble Layers: Place the first dough circle on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush it evenly with the filling mixture made by blending melted butter, sugar, and cinnamon or cocoa powder. Repeat layering the second and third circles with the filling, then place the fourth circle on top plain, without any filling.
- Cut and Twist: Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut the stacked dough into 16 equal strips (cut from the center outwards). Take two adjacent strips and twist them outward twice, then pinch the ends together to form the points of the star. Repeat until all strips are twisted and pinched.
- Second Rise: Cover the shaped star bread loosely and let it rise for an additional 30 minutes until it puffs up.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the star bread for 20 to 25 minutes or until it is golden brown and cooked through.
Notes
- For extra decoration, dust the baked bread with powdered sugar or drizzle with icing once cooled.
- You can substitute the filling with chocolate spread or your favorite fruit jam for a different flavor.
- Ensure the milk is warm, not hot, to properly activate the yeast without killing it.
- Let the bread cool slightly before cutting to maintain the star shape.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Bread, Breakfast, Holiday
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: European-Inspired
