Description
This beautiful Star Bread is the perfect Christmas breakfast or brunch that will surely impress everyone. It’s surprisingly easy to make and only takes roughly 1 hour to make. You can add a variety of fillings to this bread, including Nutella, cherry cheesecake, cinnamon sugar, or your favorite jam.
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast (1 packet)
- 3/4 cups milk, warmed to 110F
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Filling
- 4 1/2 tablespoons Nutella
- (for other flavor options, look in the “Notes” section below)
Egg Wash
- 1 egg, beaten
Instructions
1. In the bowl of a stand mixer, fitted with the dough hook attachment, or a large mixing bowl, add all ingredients to the bowl.
2. Knead the dough on medium speed for 5 minutes. Transfer dough to a greased bowl. Spray top of dough with nonstick spray, then cover with plastic wrap.
3. Preheat oven to 100F, then turn oven off. Place dough in warm oven and allow to rise for 30 minutes.
4. Punch down dough, then divide into 4 roughly equal pieces. Roll each piece into a 10 inch circle. Place one circle on a piece of parchment paper.
5. For the Nutella Star Bread: Place Nutella in a microwave safe bowl (you will need about 4 ½ tablespoons) and microwave in 20 second increments to soften Nutella, so that it is spreadable on dough. Spread 1 – 1 ½ tablespoons softened Nutella on the dough circle that is on the parchment paper. Place a rolled out piece of dough on top of the Nutella. Spread softened Nutella (about 1 – 1 ½ tablespoons) on this piece of dough. Place another rolled out piece of dough on top of Nutella. Spread softened Nutella (1 – 1 ½ tablespoons) on this piece of dough. You should now have 3 pieces of dough that have Nutella on them. Place the last piece of rolled out dough on top. Do not spread Nutella on this piece of dough.
6. To shape the dough, place a 3” round circle cookie cutter in the center of the dough. Cut 16 strips from the edge of the cookie cutter to the edge of the dough. Grab two adjacent pieces of dough and twist them away from each other, twice, so that the top side is facing up again. Pinch the edges of the dough together. You should have 8 points. Cover the dough with plastic wrap. Transfer the dough and parchment paper to a baking sheet.
7. Preheat the oven to 100F, then turn oven off. Place baking sheet in warm oven for 15 minutes. Remove from oven, then brush beaten egg over dough.
8. Preheat oven to 400F.
9. Bake in preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown in color. Dust with confectioners’ sugar.
Notes
- Other flavor options:
Cherry Cheesecake FillingCherry Jam
- 2 ½ cups fresh cherries, seed removed, cut in half
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch + ¼ cup water
Cheesecake
- 6 ounces cream cheese
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
Make the cherry jam. In a medium size saucepan, add all ingredients for cherry jam. Cook over medium heat for 5 minutes. Lightly mash the cherries with a potato masher. Remove and allow to cool for 20 minutes. Meanwhile make the cheesecake filling. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat all ingredients for cheesecake filling until smooth and creamy. Transfer to a piping bag or zip-top bag with one corner snipped off.
To assemble, spread half the cherry filling on bottom piece of dough. Top with the second 10 inch round of dough. Pipe the cheesecake filling on top. Place the 3rd 10-inch round of dough on top. Spread remaining cherry filling on top. Place the 4th/last 10-inch round of dough on top. This piece will be plain. (please note the cherry cheesecake star bread is a bit messy when shaping, but it’s worth it! It’s very tasty)
- You can also sprinkle cinnamon sugar on the dough, or spread your favorite jam on the dough.
- Prep Time: 50
- Cook Time: 12
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American