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Cinnamon Star Bread Recipe

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4.3 from 72 reviews

This Cinnamon Star Bread is a visually stunning and deliciously soft sweet bread filled with a fragrant cinnamon-sugar-cardamom mixture. The dough is layered and twisted into a beautiful star shape, perfect for breakfast or as a festive centerpiece. It includes a simple egg wash for a golden crust and a final dusting of powdered sugar for added sweetness.

Ingredients

Dough Ingredients

  • 3 1/4 cups flour
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 1/4 tsp instant yeast (1 packet)
  • 3/4 cup lukewarm water
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 3 Tbsp vegetable oil
  • 3 Tbsp sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract

Cinnamon Filling

  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 3 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp cardamom
  • 2 Tbsp butter, melted
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Egg Wash and Finishing

  • 1 large egg
  • 2-3 Tbsp powdered sugar

Instructions

  1. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour and salt, then set aside.
  2. Dissolve Yeast: In a smaller bowl, combine lukewarm water and instant yeast, mixing to dissolve the yeast completely.
  3. Combine Wet Ingredients: Add milk, vegetable oil, sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract to the yeast mixture and whisk well to combine.
  4. Form Dough: Add the wet ingredients to the flour mixture and mix thoroughly with a spoon or hands until all ingredients are well incorporated and there is no dry flour remaining. Note that kneading is not required, but thorough mixing is crucial.
  5. First Rise: Cover the dough bowl tightly and let it rise at room temperature for 2 hours.
  6. Chill Dough: Transfer the dough to the refrigerator and chill for at least 3-4 hours or overnight for best flavor and texture.
  7. Prepare Cinnamon Filling: Before shaping the bread, mix sugar, cinnamon, cardamom, melted butter, and vanilla extract together in a small bowl until the mixture is moist and sandy. Set aside.
  8. Temper Dough: Remove dough from the fridge and allow it to come to room temperature slightly so it is easier to work with.
  9. Divide Dough: Divide the dough into 4 equal parts and roll each into a ball. Lightly flour your workspace to prevent sticking.
  10. Prepare Parchment: Place a piece of parchment paper next to your workspace for assembly.
  11. Roll First Layer: Roll one dough ball into a 10-inch circle and transfer it to the parchment paper. Spread about one third of the cinnamon filling evenly over the circle, leaving a small border around the edge.
  12. Layer Remaining Dough and Filling: Repeat rolling and stacking with the second and third balls of dough, spreading the filling each time, using all the filling by the third layer. Roll the fourth ball and place it on top without filling.
  13. Shape Dough: Adjust the dough layers to be as even and round as possible. Place a 2-3 inch biscuit or cookie cutter in the center as a guide (do not cut yet).
  14. Cut Dough: Using a knife or bench scraper, cut through all dough layers into 4 equal sections, then cut each section into 4 equal wedges, resulting in 16 wedges.
  15. Twist Wedges: Take pairs of wedges and twist each pair two full rotations in opposite outward directions.
  16. Pinch Ends: Gently pinch the ends of each twisted pair together to form points, securing the dough so the star shape holds. Remove the center cutter.
  17. Transfer and Proof: Using the parchment paper, slide the shaped star onto a large baking sheet. Lightly cover and allow it to rise in a warm area for 1-2 hours until slightly puffed. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) near the end of rising.
  18. Apply Egg Wash: Beat one egg in a small bowl and brush a thin layer over the top of the dough for a golden finish.
  19. Bake: Bake the star bread for 30-35 minutes until golden brown and fully puffed.
  20. Cool and Finish: Remove from the oven and let cool before dusting the star with 2-3 tablespoons of powdered sugar.
  21. Storage: Store leftover bread at room temperature in an airtight container to keep it soft for a couple of days.

Notes

  • Mixing the dough well is important even though kneading is not required.
  • Chilling the dough overnight improves the flavor and texture.
  • Use parchment paper to easily transfer the shaped bread to the baking sheet and for easy cleanup.
  • The star shape is achieved by twisting and pinching wedges; the center cutter is a helpful guide but is removed before baking.
  • Serve the bread fresh for best texture and flavor; it can be lightly reheated if desired.

Find it online: https://justsosavory.com/cinnamon-star-bread-recipe/