Holiday Star Bread is a beautiful and festive bread that's perfect for celebrating the holidays. It’s soft, fluffy, and often filled with a sweet or savory filling. The star shape is visually striking, making it an ideal centerpiece for a holiday brunch or dinner.
Here’s a simple recipe to make Holiday Star Bread:
Ingredients:
For the Dough:
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Filling (Sweet Option):
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
- 1/2 cup finely chopped chocolate, chocolate chips, or Nutella (optional)
For the Egg Wash:
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 tablespoon water
For Garnish:
- Powdered sugar (optional, for dusting)
- Sprinkles or edible glitter (optional, for a festive touch)
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Dough:
- In a large bowl, combine 3 cups of flour, sugar, salt, and yeast. In a separate bowl, heat the milk and water together until warm (about 110°F/43°C). Add the warm milk-water mixture to the dry ingredients, then add the melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract.
- Stir to combine, and gradually add the remaining 1/2 cup of flour until a dough begins to form.
- Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. You can also use a stand mixer with a dough hook to knead the dough for about 5-7 minutes.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 to 1.5 hours, or until it doubles in size.
2. Prepare the Filling:
- While the dough is rising, mix together the softened butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg (if using) in a small bowl. You can also add finely chopped chocolate or Nutella for extra richness and flavor.
3. Shape the Star Bread:
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release any air bubbles. Divide the dough into 4 equal portions.
- Roll each portion into a circle about 10 inches in diameter on a lightly floured surface. You’ll need 4 dough circles in total.
- Place one circle of dough on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Spread a thin layer of the cinnamon butter filling over the dough, leaving about a 1/2-inch border around the edges.
- Place the second circle of dough on top of the first. Spread another layer of filling, then add the third dough circle on top, followed by more filling. Finally, top with the fourth circle of dough.
4. Cut and Twist:
- Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, slice the dough into 8 equal wedges (like a pizza), but leave about 2 inches in the center intact so it stays connected.
- Now, take two adjacent wedges and twist them away from each other. Repeat with the rest of the wedges until the entire star is twisted.
- Tuck the ends of the twisted dough under to form a star shape.
5. Proof the Star Bread:
- Cover the shaped bread with a kitchen towel and let it rise for 30-45 minutes, or until it puffs up slightly.
6. Bake the Bread:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Brush the top of the dough with the egg wash (1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon of water).
- Bake the bread for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the bread sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
7. Finish and Serve:
- Allow the bread to cool slightly before dusting with powdered sugar and adding any festive sprinkles or edible glitter, if desired.
- Slice and serve warm, pulling off the soft, fluffy pieces of bread.
Tips:
- Make it Savory: You can easily make a savory version of holiday star bread by filling it with garlic butter, shredded cheese, and herbs like rosemary or thyme.
- Freezing: If you want to prepare it ahead of time, you can freeze the shaped dough before baking. Let it thaw and rise at room temperature for about 2 hours before baking.
- Add a Glaze: For extra sweetness, drizzle a simple glaze made with powdered sugar and milk over the top after baking.
This Holiday Star Bread is a show-stopper, perfect for festive gatherings or as a treat for the holiday season!