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    Home » Bread » Star Bread

    Star Bread

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    This pull-apart star bread is buttery, sugary, and delicious. It is a work of art that tastes as good as it looks. The best part? It might look hard or intimating to make but it’s actually incredibly easy! With this step-by-step recipe, anyone (beginners included) can bake an amazing loaf of this holiday bread, even if you’ve never made bread from scratch. Serve it as a holiday dessert, breakfast or brunch, or just to snack on throughout the day.

    This pull-apart star bread is a beautiful, buttery, sugary, and delicious holiday bread that tastes as good as it looks and is actually easy to make. | aheadofthyme.com

    Why You’ll Love Star Bread

    • It’s an impressive showstopper. Let’s be honest. It feels good to say “I made that” when someone compliments how beautiful the centerpiece of the holiday dessert table is (not to mention delicious too!). This star bread recipe will impress your guests and it will probably impress you too.
    • A classic holiday dessert. Christmas Star bread gets its name from the 8-pointed star shape that you create. It’s usually served as a holiday dessert bread but between you and me, it’s a great bread any time of the year.
    • Easy to follow recipe. Like most bread recipes, there are a lot of steps when making this star bread. You’ll need to bear through two proofs, knead and roll out multiple balls of dough, and create the iconic star by layering the dough with filling, cutting, and twisting the ends. Doing it right takes some dedication and attention to detail, but this recipe gives you all the information you need to make it a breeze.
    • It tastes as good as it looks. Star bread has a unique sugary, buttery taste that is so delicious. Plus, you can completely customize it with different toppings. If you were looking forward to Christmas cookies and treats this year, you’ll love your first bite of this sweet star bread — and every bite after.
    This pull-apart star bread is a beautiful, buttery, sugary, and delicious holiday bread that tastes as good as it looks and is actually easy to make. | aheadofthyme.com

    Ingredients and Substitutions

    To make these festive Christmas Star Bread, you will need a few simple ingredients (full quantities in recipe card below):

    • milk
    • sugar
    • instant yeast - you can also use active dry yeast, but let it sit in the milk mixture for 5-10 minutes first to activate the yeast.
    • egg
    • butter
    • all-purpose flour
    • salt
    • egg - this is for the egg wash on top which helps give the bread a golden crust.
    • brown sugar filling - made with softened butter and brown sugar. You could also add some cinnamon for a cinnamon star bread.

    This star bread recipe is made with a classic butter and brown sugar filling, but you can totally customize it make it your own. Consider adding these star bread fillings:

    • finely chopped nuts
    • cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, or pumpkin pie spice
    • chocolate or nutella
    • jam or jelly
    • apple butter or pumpkin butter

    You will also need measuring cups and spoons (or kitchen scale), mixing bowl, parchment paper, and half sheet baking pan.

    This pull-apart star bread is a beautiful, buttery, sugary, and delicious holiday bread that tastes as good as it looks and is actually easy to make. | aheadofthyme.com

    How to Make the Best Star Bread

    1. Prepare the dough. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together milk, sugar, yeast, and egg until smooth. In a large mixing bowl, add flour, butter and salt and mix well with a spatula. Pour in the wet mixture and stir well to combine until it forms a shaggy dough, scraping down the sides of the bowl (there should be no dry flour particles visible).
    2. Knead the dough. Knead the dough on a clean lightly floured surface for 5 minutes until it changes from a sticky shaggy dough into a smooth and soft dough ball. Apply a little bit of oil or butter in your hands if needed.
      • A well kneaded dough is smooth and can hold its shape. Also, when you give the dough ball a firm poke with your finger, the indentation should bounce right back. If it doesn’t bounce back and stays like a dimple, keep kneading for a few minutes.
    3. First rise. Cover the bowl with plastic cling wrap and let the dough rise at room temperature (preferably in a warmer area) for 1 hour until doubled.

    How to Shape Star Bread

    1. Flatten the dough and divide it into 4 equal pieces with a bench scraper. Shape into smooth balls by cupping the dough in your palm and making circular motions. It should take less than 30 seconds to roll each piece into a smooth ball.
    This pull-apart star bread is a beautiful, buttery, sugary, and delicious holiday bread that tastes as good as it looks and is actually easy to make. | aheadofthyme.com
    1. Use a rolling pin to roll each dough ball into a 10-inch circle, approximately. Place one dough circle on a piece of parchment paper. Spread 2 tablespoons of butter and 2 tablespoons brown sugar evenly on top.
    This pull-apart star bread is a beautiful, buttery, sugary, and delicious holiday bread that tastes as good as it looks and is actually easy to make. | aheadofthyme.com
    1. Stack the next dough circle on top and stretch it so that the two dough circles align on the edges. Spread the same amount of butter and sugar on top.
    2. Repeat the step until 4 layers of dough are stacked evenly with the filling (the top layer will not have any butter or sugar on top).
    3. Place a 3-inch round object such as a round cookie cutter or rim of a glass in the center to make an indent, which becomes the center of the star.
    This pull-apart star bread is a beautiful, buttery, sugary, and delicious holiday bread that tastes as good as it looks and is actually easy to make. | aheadofthyme.com
    1. Cut the dough into 16 evenly spaced strips with a pizza cutter or knife. Make sure all the layers are cut through.
    2. Take two strips at a time and twist them away from each other twice, then press the two bottom ends together to make a point. Repeat the twisting until the star bread forms 8 points.
    This pull-apart star bread is a beautiful, buttery, sugary, and delicious holiday bread that tastes as good as it looks and is actually easy to make. | aheadofthyme.com
    1. Second rise: Cover the star bread loosely with plastic cling wrap and let rise at room temperature for 30 minutes until almost doubled.

    How to Bake Christmas Star Bread

    1. Transfer the star bread with the parchment paper onto a large half sheet baking pan. Brush with egg wash evenly on top.
    2. Bake in a 350F preheated oven for 25 minutes until the top turns golden brown.
    3. Allow the star bread cool for 10 minutes, then serve. Dust with confectioners’ sugar on top (optional).
    This pull-apart star bread is a beautiful, buttery, sugary, and delicious holiday bread that tastes as good as it looks and is actually easy to make. | aheadofthyme.com

    Recipe Tips and Tricks

    • Don’t skip steps: When baking bread, every step is essential. So, don’t rush it and don’t skip any steps. Make sure to yourself extra time to make this star bread if it’s your first time.
    • Storage instructions: Keep star bread at room temperature in an airtight container for 1-2 days or in the refrigerator for up to one week.
    This pull-apart star bread is a beautiful, buttery, sugary, and delicious holiday bread that tastes as good as it looks and is actually easy to make. | aheadofthyme.com

    More Sweet Bread Recipes

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    • Cinnamon Raisin Challah Bread
    • Healthy Banana Bread

    Did you make this recipe? I would greatly appreciate a comment and rating below, letting me know what you thought of the recipe. You can also snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @aheadofthyme or share it on the Pinterest pin so that I can follow along.

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    This pull-apart star bread is a beautiful, buttery, sugary, and delicious holiday bread that tastes as good as it looks and is actually easy to make. | aheadofthyme.com

    Star Bread


    ★★★★★

    5 from 3 reviews

    • Author: Sam Hu | Ahead of Thyme
    • Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
    • Yield: 6-8 servings
    • Diet: Vegetarian
    Print Recipe
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    Description

    This pull-apart star bread is a beautiful, buttery, sugary, and delicious holiday bread that tastes as good as it looks and is actually easy to make. 


    Ingredients

    • 160 grams milk (⅔ cup)
    • 50 grams granulated sugar (¼ cup)
    • 3 grams instant yeast (1 teaspoon)
    • 1 large egg
    • 50 grams softened butter (¼ cup), cut into ½-inch cubes (or melted butter)
    • 310 grams all-purpose flour (2 + ½ cups)
    • 6 grams salt (1 teaspoon)
    • 1 large egg (for egg wash)

    For the filling:

    • ⅓ cup butter, softened
    • ⅓ cup brown sugar

    Instructions

    Make the Dough:

    1. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together milk, sugar, yeast, and egg until smooth.
    2. In a large mixing bowl, add flour, butter and salt and mix well with a spatula.
    3. Pour in the wet mixture and stir well to combine until it forms a shaggy dough, scraping down the sides of the bowl (there should be no dry flour particles visible).
    4. Knead the dough on a clean lightly floured surface for 5 minutes until it changes from a sticky shaggy dough into a smooth and soft dough ball. Apply a little bit of oil or butter in your hands if needed.
      • A well kneaded dough is smooth and can hold its shape. Also, when you give the dough ball a firm poke with your finger, the indentation should bounce right back. If it doesn’t bounce back and stays like a dimple, keep kneading for a few minutes.
    5. Cover the bowl with plastic cling wrap and let the dough rise at room temperature (preferably in a warmer area) for 1 hour until doubled.

    Shape the Star Bread:

    1. Flatten the dough and divide it into 4 equal pieces with a bench scraper. Shape into smooth balls by cupping the dough in your palm and making circular motions. It should take less than 30 seconds to roll each piece into a smooth ball.
    2. Use a rolling pin to roll each dough ball into a 10-inch circle, approximately. Place one dough circle on a piece of parchment paper. Spread 2 tablespoons of butter and 2 tablespoons brown sugar evenly on top.
    3. Stack the next dough circle on top and stretch it so that the two dough circles align on the edges. Spread the same amount of butter and sugar on top. 
    4. Repeat the step until 4 layers of dough are stacked evenly with the filling (the top layer will not have any butter or sugar on top).
    5. Place a 3-inch round object such as a round cookie cutter or rim of a glass in the center to make an indent, which becomes the center of the star.
    6. Cut the dough into 16 evenly spaced strips with a pizza cutter or knife. Make sure all the layers are cut through.
    7. Take two strips at a time and twist them away from each other twice, then press the two bottom ends together to make a point. Repeat the twisting until the star bread forms 8 points.
    8. Cover the star bread loosely with plastic cling wrap and let rise at room temperature for 30 minutes until almost doubled.

    Bake the Star Bread:

    1. Preheat oven to 350F.
    2. Transfer the star bread with the parchment paper onto a large half sheet baking pan. Brush with egg wash evenly on top.
    3. Bake for 25 minutes until the top turns golden brown.
    4. Allow the star bread cool for 10 minutes, then serve. Dust with confectioners’ sugar on top (optional).

    Notes

    Don’t skip steps: When baking bread, every step is essential. So, don’t rush it and don’t skip any steps. Make sure to yourself extra time to make this star bread if it’s your first time.

    Storage instructions: Keep star bread at room temperature in an airtight container for 1-2 days or in the refrigerator for up to one week.

    • Prep Time: 25 minutes
    • Rise Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
    • Cook Time: 25 minutes
    • Category: Bread
    • Method: Bake
    • Cuisine: American

    Keywords: star bread, how to make star bread, homemade star bread, christmas star bread, brown sugar star bread,

    Did you make this recipe?

    I'd love to see! Tag me @aheadofthyme on Instagram.

    This pull-apart star bread is a beautiful, buttery, sugary, and delicious holiday bread that tastes as good as it looks and is actually easy to make. | aheadofthyme.com
    Star Bread
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jen G says

      December 26, 2022 at 3:49 pm

      I made this Christmas morning, it was easy to put together, baked up beautifully and was incredibly delicious!

      I creamed together the butter and brown sugar and spread using a spatula, I eyeballed splitting it up between layers. I also sprinkled a smidge of cinnamon between the layers, not too much as I didn’t want it to overpower.

      I added coarse, decorative sugar after egg washing. So pretty.

      The hardest part was waiting 10 min before digging in!
      I’ll be making this again. So good! I’ve sent the recipe link to several friends already.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    2. NASAT says

      September 02, 2022 at 10:00 am

      Absolutely delicious. Made it twice now and it just gets better! Soft, fluffy and truly divine

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    3. y-m says

      June 17, 2022 at 7:54 pm

      I love all your bread recipes and this might be my favourite! I tried this one earlier today and it came out amazing!

      ★★★★★

      Reply

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