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Star Bread
5 from 15 votes

Star Bread

Star Bread is a shaped yeast bread featuring a sweet cinnamon sugar filling and optional cream cheese frosting. The dough is enriched with milk, butter, eggs, and sugar, yielding a soft texture. The dough is allowed to rise, rolled into circles, layered with cinnamon sugar and butter, then shaped into a star pattern before baking. The finished bread is tender and sweet with layers of cinnamon flavor.

Prep Time
30 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Additional Time
2 hrs
Servings: 8
Course: Breakfast, Bread
Cuisine: French

Ingredients

  • 1 cup milk (warmed to 110-120 degrees)
  • 2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 6 Tablespoons butter unsalted, melted
  • 2 large egg
  • 4 cups flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
Cinnamon Sugar Filling:
  • 4 Tablespoons butter melted
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 Tablespoon cinnamon
Cream Cheese Frosting (optional):
  • 1/2 cup butter (softened)
  • 4 ounces cream cheese (softened)
  • 2 1/2 cups sugar
  • 2 to 4 Tablespoons milk (depending on desired consistency)

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. In a mixing bowl, combine warm milk, yeast, and 1 teaspoon of sugar. Let sit until it becomes foamy and begins to bubble. This should take about 5-10 minutes. 
  2. Add in melted butter, remaining sugar, and eggs. Add flour and salt. Mix at low speed until the dough begins to form a ball. I like to use my Bosch mixer for this recipe. Knead the dough in your mixer or by hand for 8-10 minutes
  3. Shape the dough into a ball and place in a bowl sprayed with non-stick cooking spray or oiled. Cover the bowl and let rise, until double in size, about 1-2 hours, depending on the warmth of your kitchen.
  4. After the dough has doubled, place it on a lightly floured surface. Divide the dough into 4 equal pieces. I suggest using a very sharp knife or pizza cutter to cut it into 4 pieces.
  5. Roll each dough ball into a 12-inch circle. Place on a piece of parchment paper to make it easier to transfer to a baking sheet. Brush the first layer of dough with melted butter for the filling and then sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Repeat.
  6. Once you add your 4th circle to the top, brush with the remaining melted butter and any remaining cinnamon sugar, if you desire. Some people leave the top with butter only and some like to add cinnamon sugar on the top before baking.
  7. Use a pizza cutter to trim the dough to create a uniform circle. Place a small round cookie cutter or glass (about 3-4 inches) in the center of the dough. Use a sharp knife and cut the circle into quarters. Then cut each quarter in half and then half again so you end up with 16 pieces.
  8. Grab two strips of dough next to one another, one piece in each hand, and twist the dough 3 times away from each other. Once you have twisted them, pinch the ends together. Repeat.
  9. Let it rest for about 15-20 minutes while the oven is preheated. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Before baking, check to ensure the ends are pinched together. Brush with egg wash. Bake for 20-24 minutes.
  10. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with extra cinnamon sugar or powdered sugar. If you want the Star Bread to be sweeter, make a glaze or sweet cream cheese frosting and drizzle over the top.
Cream Cheese Frosting:
  1. In a mixing bowl, whip together softened butter and cream cheese for 1-2 minutes until smooth and fluffy. Add powdered sugar. Add milk according to the desired thinness. If you want a glaze, add more milk. If you want a frosting, only use about 2 Tablespoons of milk. Drizzle over the star bread.

Notes

  • Proof the yeast properly by letting it foam with warm milk to ensure good rise.
  • Keep milk temperature between 110-120°F to avoid killing the yeast.
  • Allow the dough to rise until it doubles, which typically takes 1-2 hours depending on kitchen warmth.
  • Limit the second rise after shaping so the star shape does not puff up excessively.
  • Watch the bread carefully near the end of baking to prevent overbaking and maintain softness.