Dessert

Star Bread Recipe

ByMaya Arden November 6, 2025November 6, 2025

Introduction

Star Bread is a stunning and deliciously flaky sweet bread, perfect for sharing or impressing guests. Its beautifully twisted star shape hides layers of cinnamon sugar that offer a warm, comforting flavor with every bite.

A round, golden-brown braided bread is shown on crinkled white parchment paper over a wooden cutting board, resting on a white marbled surface; the bread has many twisted layers with visible cinnamon sugar swirls that create a textured look, arranged in a flower-like shape with a small star-shaped piece in the center dusted with white powdered sugar; in the background, there is a stack of white plates with delicate floral designs and gold forks placed on top, a white floral teacup filled with dark tea on a matching saucer, and an open book, with two cinnamon sticks lying on the marbled surface to the right. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 cup warm whole milk (110°F / 240mL)
1 0.25-ounce packet instant yeast

5 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
¼ cup granulated sugar (50g)

1 large egg (room temperature)
3¾ cups all-purpose flour (450g)

1 teaspoon salt
½ cup granulated sugar (100g)
1 tablespoon cinnamon

3 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
1 large egg
1 teaspoon water

Confectioners’ sugar (for dusting)

Instructions

Step 1: In a stand mixer bowl, combine warm milk and yeast. Let stand about 10 minutes until very foamy.
Step 2: Add melted butter, sugar, and egg to the foamy mixture. Top with flour and salt. Using the dough hook, mix on low until dough forms, then increase to medium-low speed. Knead about 8-10 minutes until sticky, elastic, and pulling from bowl sides.

Step 3: Shape dough into a ball, place in lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let rise until doubled, about 1 hour.
Step 4: In a small bowl, whisk together sugar and cinnamon for the filling.
Step 5: Punch down dough onto lightly floured surface. Divide into 4 equal balls. Roll one ball into a 12-inch circle on parchment paper. Brush with melted butter, leaving ½-inch border, then sprinkle with one-third of cinnamon sugar.

Step 6: Roll second ball to same size, place on first circle, pinch edges slightly to fit. Brush with butter and sprinkle another third of cinnamon sugar. Repeat with third ball and filling, then top with fourth rolled ball. Trim edges to create a clean 10-11 inch circle.
Step 7: Place 3-inch round cutter or small bowl in center. Cut circle into quarters from edge to cutter edge, then each quarter into halves twice, creating 16 connected triangles.
Step 8: Grab two adjacent dough strips and twist them away from each other 3 times. Pinch ends to seal. Repeat around circle to form an 8-pointed star. Remove cutter. Transfer parchment with star onto rimmed baking sheet, cover loosely, and let rise 20-30 minutes until puffed.

Step 9: Preheat oven to 375°F.
Step 10: Beat egg and water together. If needed, pinch star points again. Brush egg wash all over star.
Step 11: Bake 25 minutes until golden, covering with foil after 15 minutes if browning too fast. Let cool 10 minutes on pan.

Step 12: Dust with confectioners’ sugar and serve warm.

Tips & Variations

If the dough shrinks while rolling, let it rest for a few minutes before continuing to relax the gluten.
Use a flavored butter, like honey or vanilla, for brushing to add depth to the filling.

For a nutty twist, sprinkle chopped toasted nuts between the layers with the cinnamon sugar.

Storage

Store the star bread in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 days. To keep it fresh longer, wrap tightly and freeze up to 1 month. Reheat slices in a warm oven or toaster oven for a fresh-baked feel.

How to Serve

A round, flower-shaped bread pastry sits on crinkled white paper over a wooden cutting board on a white marbled surface. The bread has multiple twisted layers that alternate between golden brown and a darker cinnamon color, creating a textured, striped look. The center of the pastry has a solid, round shape with a small, star-like piece on top. The entire bread is lightly dusted with powdered sugar, adding a soft white contrast to the warm brown hues. Two cinnamon sticks lie nearby on the white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the dough by hand instead of a stand mixer?

Yes, you can mix and knead the dough by hand. It will take about 10-15 minutes of kneading until the dough is elastic and smooth.

Can I use active dry yeast instead of instant yeast?

Yes. If using active dry yeast, dissolve it in warm milk with a pinch of sugar and let it activate for 5-10 minutes before mixing with other ingredients.