A basic cinnamon roll dough is easily transformed into a beautiful star (or snowflake) shape known as Star Bread. Inspired by a traditional European recipe, there are so many ways to make it! This classic version is so beautiful and impressive โ you wonโt believe how easy it is to create!
Star bread โ also known as snowflake bread โ looks fairly elaborate and potentially even difficult to put together, but it is so easy to make! Itโs one of our favorite things to serve during the winter holiday season. We love a good old-fashioned themed dish, donโt you? Snowflake bread is about as winter as you can get. This recipe is simply bursting with cinnamon and sugar, and can be topped with either frosting or powdered sugar โ your choice! Itโs like a fun and festive version of a cinnamon roll. Add it to the menu for a yummy addition to a holiday brunch, or as a sweet dessert after a savory meal. No matter where and when you decide to serve yours, itโs always a fan favorite!
Dough Options
There are many different directions you can take the dough for this star bread recipe. We almost always use our homemade cinnamon roll dough, but you can also use:
- Store-bought dough (youโll need about 2 pounds)
- Crescent sheets (2 to 4 packages)
- Puff pastry dough (2 pounds)
- Pie crust circle dough (4 crust rounds)
Sweet Topping Ideas
As mentioned, you can feel free to top your sweet bread recipe with your choice of frosting or simply add some powdered sugar. Here are some other fun topping ideas to try:
- Powdered sugar: Sprinkle powdered sugar over the star bread for a sweet and elegant touch.
- Honey: Drizzle honey over the star bread for a sweet and sticky finish.
- Melted Butter: Simply brush 2 tablespoons of melted butter over the top of the finished star bread.
- Simple Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup powdered sugar with 1 tablespoon of water or milk and 1/2 teaspoon almond or vanilla extract. Add more water or milk as needed to create a thin consistency that can easily be drizzled over the dough.
- Brown sugar and cinnamon crumble: In a medium bowl, stir together the 1/4 cup flour, 1/4 cup brown sugar, and 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon until well combined. Add in 1/4 cup of melted butter and stir until the mixture forms a crumbly dough. Sprinkle evenly over the top of the star bread just before baking.
Freezer Instructions
One way to make this snowflake bread recipe ahead of time is to prep and then freeze it. You can either freeze the dough before baking or freeze it after youโve baked it:
- To freeze the dough: Follow the dough recipe instructions on the recipe card below. โPunchโ the dough down after itโs risen to remove any excess air. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, then add a layer of aluminum foil. It will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months! When ready to bake, allow the dough to thaw in the fridge overnight, then follow the shaping and baking instructions as indicated.
- To freeze already-baked star bread: Allow the bread to cool completely, then place it in an airtight, freezer-safe container. It will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. Allow it to thaw in the fridge overnight, then reheat it in the oven at 350 degrees F until warmed through, about 5-10 minutes.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
You can store any leftover star bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. If you want to get a bit more longevity out of it, you can also store it in the fridge where it will keep for one week. If you want to reheat it, you can do so in the microwave at 30-second increments until warmed through.
Other Flavor Options
Watch the video below where we will walk you through every step of the recipe with a video demonstration.
Turned out amazing! I drizzled a basic glaze on it and it was wonderful! Turned out so pretty!! I will absolutely try some other flavors.
A tip for anyone making one of these for the first time – make sure you really pinch the 2 end tips of the dough strips together well. I thought I had mine connected well, but in the oven they popped apart a bit.
I personally think the recipe would’ve been improved by making a bit more dough. The star/snowflake mine made just wasn’t nearly as big around as I would’ve liked it, looked a little stubby, and that was with already rolling the dough as thin as I could without it tearing to make each circle as big as possible. Other than that, it’s nice. ๐
I just wish the recipe was a bit more detailed. For example, the instructions saying to roll the dough about as wide as my baking sheet left me wondering what size baking sheet that was supposed to be. Unless I missed it, there was no mention of any estimate of how big around the dough circles should be, until someone asked in the comments. I also find it a bit frustrating when a recipe calls for a specific amount of something, then mentions only in the instructions that I may need extra (the flour).
Thank you for the feedback! That’s actually super helpful as we’re always trying to improve and look for ways to write recipes in a way that is as helpful as possible. I’ve updated the recipe instructions based on your feedback.
My first try at this! Yummm!!
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you Ladies for coming into my life and kitchen. I love recipes especially recipes with pictures!!! I have past on your to my whole family and friends. You are exactly what my nephew who recently stepped out into the real world needs in his life. Lol with your easy to follow recipes he will have no problem feeding his belly thank God. Once less thing for his Auntie to worry about. Thanks again and keep the recipes coming!
It’s truly an honor. Thank you for being here!
Thank you for all the recipes you did for Christmas!
You are most welcome!
Making for tomorrow and wanted to know how big to make the circles, i have different sized baking pans. Maybe 14 inches around? Thanks! Canโt wait to see how it turns out!
12 to 14 inches is a great size!
I like making a special bread for Christmas, and this one was perfect. I made the dough the night before and separated it into 4 equal balls. I let them cold rise in the fridge overnight. The next morning, I put the bread together. The dough was a dream to work with! The recipe and instructions are flawless! And the snowflake bread got an egg white wash and a sprinkling of those large sugar sprinkles that made the bread glitter! Great recipe!
Very easy to make
Love your recipes. They are the best . Very easy to make