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Star Bread Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 136 reviews

This beautiful and delicious Star Bread is a layered cinnamon sugar pull-apart bread that makes a stunning centerpiece for any breakfast or brunch. Soft, sweet dough is rolled with a buttery cinnamon-sugar filling, twisted into an 8-pointed star shape, and baked to golden perfection. It’s perfect for sharing and impressing guests.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough

  • 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

Filling

  • ½ cup granulated sugar (100g)
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Topping

  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon water
  • Confectioners’ sugar for dusting

Instructions

  1. Prepare the dough: In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the warm milk and instant yeast. Let it stand until very foamy, about 10 minutes. This activates the yeast and ensures the dough will rise properly.
  2. Mix dough ingredients: Add the melted butter, sugar, and egg to the foamy yeast mixture. Then add the flour and salt on top. Using the dough hook, mix on low speed until a dough begins to form, then increase to medium-low speed and knead for 8 to 10 minutes until the dough becomes sticky and elastic, pulling away from the sides but maybe still slightly sticking to the bottom.
  3. First rise: Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a lightly oiled bowl. Cover and let it rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
  4. Make the filling: In a small bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar and cinnamon until evenly combined.
  5. Shape the dough layers: Punch down the risen dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide into 4 equal pieces and shape each into a ball. Roll one ball into a roughly 12-inch circle and place on parchment paper. Brush with melted butter, leaving a ½-inch border, and sprinkle with a third of the cinnamon sugar. Repeat layering and brushing with butter and cinnamon sugar for the next 2 dough circles, then top with the last rolled circle. Trim the edges to form a neat 10- to 11-inch circle.
  6. Cut the star shape: Place a 3-inch round cutter or small bowl in the center of the dough. Cut the dough into 16 equal triangular strips by quartering, then halving each quarter, creating 16 triangles connected in the center.
  7. Twist the dough strips: Grab two adjacent strips and twist them three times away from each other. Pinch the ends together to secure. Repeat around the circle until you have an 8-pointed star. Remove the center cutter and transfer the star on the parchment to a rimmed baking sheet. Cover loosely and let rise until puffed, about 20 to 30 minutes.
  8. Preheat oven: While the dough is rising, preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
  9. Prepare and apply egg wash: Beat together the egg and water. If the star points separated during rising, pinch them together again. Brush the entire star bread with the egg wash for a golden finish.
  10. Bake: Bake the star bread for 25 minutes or until golden brown. If browning too quickly, loosely cover with foil after 15 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes.
  11. Finish and serve: Lightly dust the cooled star bread with confectioners’ sugar. Serve warm and enjoy this festive, pull-apart treat.

Notes

  • Allow the dough to rest if it shrinks back when rolling—it helps relax the gluten for easier shaping.
  • Use parchment paper for easy transfer and cleanup.
  • Cover loosely during rising to avoid drying out the dough.
  • If you don’t have a 3-inch cutter, use any small bowl to mark the center cutting guide.
  • The star bread is best enjoyed the day it’s made, served warm.

Keywords: Star Bread, Cinnamon Sugar Bread, Pull Apart Bread, Breakfast Bread, Holiday Bread, Yeast Bread

Find it online: https://flavorsbymaya.com/star-bread-recipe/