A basic cinnamon roll dough is easily transformed into a beautiful star or snowflake shape known as Star Bread. This old European bakery tradition can be filled with lots of different flavors from sweet to savory. We've included lots of filling suggestions to get you started as well as a quick video to demonstrate how to shape the bread.
Prep Time1hr30mins
Cook Time25mins
Total Time1hr55mins
Course: Bread
Keyword: Star Bread
Servings: 1loaf
Ingredients
Dough Recipe
1cupwarm milk
1tablespooninstant dry yeast
2tablespoonswhite granulated sugar
1teaspoonsalt
3tablespoonssalted butter softened
1large egg
3cupsall-purpose flour
Cinnamon Filling
1/4cupsalted buttersoftened
1 /2cupbrown sugar
1tablespoonground cinnamon
Instructions
Dough Recipe
In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine warm milk, yeast, sugar, salt, butter, and eggs. Add in flour. Use a dough hook and turn on to a low speed.
Once the flour starts to incorporate into the dough, increase the speed to a medium range. Add more flour as necessary so that the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl. The dough mixture should be soft and tacky, but not stick to your hands. Add more or less flour until the dough reaches the desired consistency. The amount of flour you add in bread making is always an approximation and you should go by feel.
Transfer the dough to a lightly greased mixing bowl. Cover with a towel and let rise until double in size, about 1 hour.
Shaping and Baking Instrucitons
Take dough and divide it into 4 even pieces. Roll each piece into a large circle, roughly the width of your baking sheet.
Lay one circle down onto a parchment lined baking sheet. Spread 1-2 tablespoons softened butter on top in an even layer, leaving 1/4 inch around the edge of the circle. In a small bowl, stir together cinnamon and sugar. Sprinkle 1/3 of the mixture over the top of the butter.
Continue layering with the remaining pieces, but leave the 4th and final piece plain on top.
Use a small 2-inch bowl to mark the center (or eyeball it) and then use a knife to cut 16 equal strands, leaving the small circle in the center.
Take two of the strands and twist in opposite directions, 2-3 times, and then pinch the edges shut to seal. Continue twisting pieces together until all pieces are twisted and you have a large star shape.
Bake immediately (no rising) in a 350 degree F oven for 20-25 minutes. Once cooled, serve plain, frost with your favorite frosting, or dust with powdered sugar.
Video
Notes
See website for other flavor variations including fillings and toppings. www.thestayathomechef,com