Star Bread looks like a bakery masterpiece, but it’s actually very beginner-friendly with just a bit of shaping magic. The dough is soft, rich, and slightly sweet—ideal for pairing with fillings like cinnamon sugar, chocolate spread, or fruit preserves. It’s a wonderful centerpiece for brunch tables and a fun, interactive treat to tear and share. Plus, the aroma while baking is absolutely incredible.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the dough:
All-purpose flour
Granulated sugar
Salt
Instant yeast
Whole milk (warm)
Unsalted butter (softened)
Egg
For the filling (classic cinnamon sugar):
Unsalted butter (melted)
Brown sugar
Ground cinnamon
Optional for finishing:
Egg wash (egg + a splash of milk)
Powdered sugar (for dusting after baking)
Directions
In a large bowl or stand mixer, combine warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy (if using active dry yeast).
Add flour, salt, egg, and softened butter. Mix and knead until a smooth, elastic dough forms (about 8–10 minutes).
Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
Punch down the dough and divide into 4 equal parts. Roll each piece into a circle about 10 inches in diameter.
Place one circle on a parchment-lined baking sheet and brush with melted butter. Sprinkle with a portion of the cinnamon sugar mixture.
Repeat layering with the next two dough circles, brushing each with butter and cinnamon sugar. Top with the final dough circle (no butter or sugar on top).
Place a small round object (like a glass) in the center as a guide. Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut the dough into 16 equal strips from the edge of the glass to the outer edge.
Take two adjacent strips, twist them away from each other twice, then pinch the ends together. Repeat around the circle until you have an 8-pointed star.
Cover the star bread and let it rest for 20 minutes while preheating the oven to 350°F (175°C).
Brush with egg wash and bake for 20–25 minutes, or until golden brown.
Let cool slightly and dust with powdered sugar before serving.
Servings and timing
This recipe makes 1 large star bread, yielding about 8–10 servings.
Nutella Star Bread: Replace the cinnamon sugar with a layer of Nutella or chocolate spread.
Jam-Filled: Use raspberry, apricot, or strawberry preserves for a fruity version.
Savory Twist: Try pesto, cheese, or garlic butter for a savory star bread.
Spiced Sugar: Add cardamom or nutmeg to the cinnamon sugar for a unique flavor.
Maple Glaze: Drizzle with maple icing instead of powdered sugar for extra sweetness.
Storage/Reheating
Store leftover star bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Refrigerate for up to 4 days.
To reheat, warm individual pieces in the microwave for 10–15 seconds or cover and reheat the entire bread in a low oven (300°F) for about 10 minutes.
If freezing, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil, and freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw at room temperature and reheat before serving.
FAQs
Is Star Bread hard to shape?
Not at all! With a few simple cuts and twists, you can create the star shape easily. It looks impressive but is very beginner-friendly.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the dough the night before and let it rise in the refrigerator overnight. Let it come to room temperature before shaping.
Can I use store-bought dough?
Yes, store-bought pizza or crescent roll dough can work, though the flavor and texture will be different from homemade enriched dough.
What type of yeast should I use?
Instant yeast or active dry yeast both work. If using active dry yeast, proof it in warm milk first.
Can I use gluten-free flour?
You can try a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend, but results may vary. The dough texture may be less elastic.
How do I keep the filling from leaking out?
Don’t overfill, and press edges gently but firmly after shaping to seal them well.
Can I add nuts to the filling?
Yes, finely chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds work well when mixed into the filling.
Should I use an egg wash?
An egg wash gives the bread a beautiful golden color and light shine. It’s optional but recommended.
Why did my dough shrink when rolling?
Let the dough rest for 5–10 minutes if it resists rolling. This allows the gluten to relax.
Can I make mini star breads?
Yes! Divide the dough into smaller portions and follow the same process for individual star breads.
Conclusion
Star Bread is a visually stunning and utterly delicious treat that turns any breakfast or celebration into something special. With its soft layers, sweet filling, and golden finish, it’s sure to impress family and guests alike. Whether filled with classic cinnamon sugar or your favorite spread, this pull-apart beauty is a rewarding baking project that delivers on both flavor and presentation.
Star Bread is a beautiful, pull-apart sweet bread made with soft enriched dough and layered with cinnamon sugar. Twisted into a star shape, this impressive yet simple treat is perfect for holidays, brunches, or cozy weekends.
Ingredients
For the Dough:
3 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 tsp salt
2 1/4 tsp instant yeast (or active dry yeast)
3/4 cup whole milk, warm
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 large egg
For the Filling (Cinnamon Sugar):
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
Optional for Finishing:
1 egg + 1 tbsp milk (for egg wash)
Powdered sugar, for dusting
Instructions
In a large bowl or stand mixer, combine warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let sit for 5–10 minutes if using active dry yeast until foamy.
Add flour, salt, egg, and softened butter. Mix and knead for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
Punch down the dough and divide into 4 equal parts. Roll each piece into a 10-inch circle.
Place one circle on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush with melted butter and sprinkle with 1/3 of the cinnamon sugar mixture.
Repeat with the next two layers, ending with the fourth dough circle on top (no filling on top layer).
Place a small glass in the center as a guide. Using a knife or pizza cutter, cut the dough into 16 equal strips from the edge of the glass to the edge of the dough.
Take two strips and twist them away from each other twice, then pinch the ends together. Repeat until a star shape is formed with 8 points.
Cover the shaped dough and let it rest for 20 minutes. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Brush the star bread with egg wash and bake for 20–25 minutes until golden brown.
Cool slightly and dust with powdered sugar before serving.
Notes
Use Nutella, jam, or fruit preserves instead of cinnamon sugar for different fillings.Rest the dough for 5–10 minutes if it resists rolling—this relaxes the gluten.Make ahead by refrigerating the dough overnight after the first rise.For savory versions, try fillings like pesto, cheese, or garlic butter.Freeze baked star bread for up to 1 month; reheat before serving.
