Cinnamon Star Bread
Delicious and beautiful!
Inroduction
About this Recipe
By: Marija
This Cinnamon Star Bread is a showstopper that’s as delicious as it is beautiful!⭐
Made with soft layers of dough, a sweet cinnamon-sugar filling, and shaped into an elegant star, it’s perfect for holidays or special occasions. As it bakes, the warm aroma of cinnamon fills your entire home, making it impossible to resist. Serve it as a centerpiece at brunch or enjoy it with a cup of tea or coffee—this bread is sure to impress family and friends!
Ingredients
For the Dough:
- 3 1/4 cups (400g) all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
- 2 1/4 tsp (7g) instant yeast
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup (180ml) warm milk (about 100–110°F or 38–43°C)
- 1/4 cup (60g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Filling:
- 1/4 cup (60g) unsalted butter, melted
- 1/3 cup (70g) granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
For the Egg Wash:
- 1 egg, beaten with 1 tbsp water
Step by Step Instructions
Step 1
Make the Dough:
Combine the flour, sugar, yeast, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Add the warm milk, softened butter, egg, and vanilla, then mix until a dough forms. Knead by hand or with a stand mixer (using the dough hook) for 8–10 minutes, until smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm place for 1–1.5 hours, or until it doubles in size.
Step 2
Prepare the Filling:
Mix the melted butter, sugar, and cinnamon in a small bowl. Set aside.
Step 3
Shape the Star Bread:
Punch down the risen dough and divide it into 4 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a 10-inch (25cm) circle. On a parchment-lined baking sheet, layer the circles, spreading 1/3 of the cinnamon filling between the first three layers, leaving the top plain. Gently use your hands to stretch the dough from the middle toward the outside on all sides. This helps make the layers slightly larger and thinner, ensuring the bread isn’t too thick once shaped.
Place a small glass or round cutter in the center as a guide. Cut the dough into approximately 16 strips from the edge of the center guide to the outer edge. Twist two adjacent strips away from each other twice and pinch the ends together to form a point. Repeat to create an 8-pointed star.
Step 4
Final Rise and Bake:
Cover the shaped bread loosely with plastic wrap and let it rise for 20–30 minutes. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Brush the bread with egg wash, then bake for 25–30 minutes, or until golden brown. Cool slightly before serving and dust with powdered sugar if desired.
