Star Bread Recipe
Total Time
2 hours and 55 minutes
Prep Time
2 hours and 40 minutes
Cook Time
15 minutes
Rating
4.7 out of 5 stars
(13)
Ingredients
8 servings
- ¾ cup warm milk (100-110 degrees F)
- 2 cups All-Purpose Flour
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup soft unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 2 teaspoons instant yeast ( if using active dry yeast, see notes)
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon cardamon (or nutmeg)
- 3/4 cup dried cranberries (optional, sub other dried fruit)
- 3/4 cup sliced almond ( optional sub other chopped nuts) )
- Other optional fillings: almond paste, jams
- Garnish: powdered sugar, melted butter
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Preparation
Step 1
To make the dough with the instant yeast: Place all of the dough ingredients together in a stand mixer and using paddle attachment, beat on low for 3 minutes. You can also mix by hand, in a bowl to make a soft, smooth dough.
Step 2
Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm spot, for roughly 60 minutes, or until it has doubled in size. If using active dry yeast, rising time will take twice as long.
Step 3
Ready the filling. Beat the egg in a small bowl and set aside. Mix the sugar, cinnamon, and cardamon and place them in a small bowl.
Step 4
Once the dough has doubled, divide the dough into four equal pieces. Shape each piece into a ball, cover the balls, and allow them to rest for 15 minutes.
Step 5
On a floured surface, roll one piece of dough into a 10″ circle. Place the circle on a parchment -lined sheet pan, brush a thin coat of beaten egg on the surface, then evenly sprinkle with a third of the spiced-sugar, ¼ cup dried cranberries, ¼ cup almonds, leaving 1/4 inch of bare dough around the edges.
Step 6
Roll out a second circle the same size as the first, and place it on top of the filling-covered circle. Repeat the layering process: egg, spiced sugar, cranberries, almonds, then roll out the 3rd dough circle, add the remaining filling. Roll out the final (4th ) dough circle, placing it on top, leaving the top totally bare.
Step 7
Place a 2 1/2″ to 3″ round cutter (or cup) in the center of the dough circle to use as a guide. With a sharp knife, cut the circle into 16 equal strips, from the edge of the cutter or cup- to the edge, through all the layers, like a sun beam- refer to the photos. 🙂
Step 8
Using two hands, pick up two adjacent strips and twist them away from each other twice so that the top side is facing up again. Repeat with the remaining strips of dough so that you end up with eight pairs of strips. ( see photos)
Step 9
Pinch the pairs of strips together to create a star-like shape with eight points. Remove the cup/cutter.
Step 10
Cover the star with a thin towel and let it rise until it puffs, about 45 minutes.
Step 11
Brush the star with a thin coat of the beaten egg and sprinkle with sugar. Bake it for 16-20 minutes or until it’s beautifully golden. Test doneness with a thermometer – it should reach 200°F in the center.
Step 12
Allow it to cool 10-15 minutes before serving. Dust with powdered sugar or brush with melted butter.
Step 13
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