Description
A stunning, pull-apart star-shaped bread layered with a sweet cinnamon sugar filling, perfect for holidays or special occasions. This visually impressive bread features a soft and fluffy texture with a delightful swirl of cinnamon sugar or Nutella, making it a delicious centerpiece for any festive table.
Ingredients
Dough
- 2¼ tsp active dry yeast
- ¾ cup warm milk
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup melted butter
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp salt
Filling
- ¼ cup melted butter
- ⅓ cup sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon (or Nutella for variation)
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: Dissolve the active dry yeast in warm milk and allow it to sit for 5 minutes until it becomes frothy, indicating the yeast is active and ready to use.
- Prepare Dough: In a large bowl, mix the sugar, egg, melted butter, flour, and salt with the yeast mixture until a rough dough forms.
- Knead Dough: Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.
- First Rise: Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover it with a cloth or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Divide and Roll: Punch down the risen dough and divide it into 4 equal portions. Roll each portion into a circle approximately 8 inches in diameter.
- Assemble Layers: Place one circle on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush with melted butter, sprinkle evenly with the sugar and cinnamon mixture (or spread Nutella), then repeat layering with remaining circles and filling.
- Shape the Star: Place the stacked dough circles in the refrigerator to chill for 20 minutes to firm up. Using a sharp knife, cut the dough into 16 equal sections, then carefully twist pairs of sections away from each other and pinch ends together to form the star shape.
- Second Rise: Cover the formed star with a cloth and let it rise for 30 minutes until puffy.
- Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the star bread for 20–25 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the bread to cool slightly before dusting with powdered sugar and serving. Enjoy the pull-apart layered sweetness!
Notes
- Dust with powdered sugar after baking for an elegant finish.
- Use jam or chocolate spread as alternative fillings to customize the flavor.
- Make sure the milk is warm, not hot, to prevent killing the yeast.
- Chilling the dough before cutting helps maintain the star shape while twisting.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes (+ 1 hour first rise + 30 minutes second rise)
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Bread / Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: European-Inspired
