Pin Cinnamon Star Bread is that showstopping centerpiece everyone raves about during the holidays—the kind that makes your kitchen smell like a cinnamon-sugar dream. With soft layers of enriched dough spiraled around a rich, spiced filling and baked into a stunning star shape, this bread always makes spirits bright whether for Christmas morning or a special gathering.
The first time I surprised my family with this star bread, it disappeared before it even cooled. Now it’s what we look forward to kneading and shaping together every December.
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour: gives the bread a pillowy structure and is easy to work with for shaping
- Granulated sugar: sweetens the dough and helps balance the yeast
- Active dry yeast: ensures the dough rises high and fluffy choose fresh packets for the best lift
- Warm milk: activates the yeast and creates a tender texture look for milk heated to just a bit warmer than your finger
- Unsalted butter: melted for flavor and richness both in dough and filling go for good European-style butter if you can
- Eggs: add structure and a golden color to the crumb use large eggs at room temp
- Salt: sharpens flavors and rounds out the sweetness
- Light brown sugar: provides the iconic cinnamon-swirl stickiness in the filling choose fresh, moist brown sugar for best results
- Ground cinnamon: brings warmth and aromatic spice the better the cinnamon, the better the bread so seek out a fragrant, fresh jar
- Egg (for brushing): gives the baked star a beautiful deep gold finish
- Powdered sugar: is an optional final touch for dusting that looks as magical as snow
Instructions
- Bloom the Yeast:
- Sprinkle the yeast and a little sugar into the warm milk in a large bowl or stand mixer. Let it sit until foamy five to ten minutes. This assures an active and lively dough.
- Combine Wet Ingredients:
- Stir in the melted butter with the remaining sugar eggs and salt. Mix well so the butter cools a bit and eggs get smoothly incorporated.
- Form and Knead the Dough:
- Add the flour a cup at a time stirring steadily. Once it comes together switch to kneading by hand or with the dough hook for six to eight minutes. You are looking for a soft elastic ball that springs back when poked.
- First Rise:
- Put the dough in a greased bowl turning it to coat. Cover with a towel or plastic wrap and place somewhere warm until doubled about an hour. This is what gives your star bread its light airy crumb.
- Make the Filling:
- Beat the softened butter with brown sugar and cinnamon until creamy in a small bowl. This makes a fragrant and easy-to-spread paste.
- Shape the Dough:
- Lightly deflate the risen dough and divide it into four even pieces. Roll each into a ten-inch circle as evenly as possible so every layer matches up for a clean look.
- Layer and Fill:
- Set the first dough circle on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Spread a third of the cinnamon filling gently across the surface outward but leaving a margin at the edges. Add the second dough circle and repeat with filling until you finish with the fourth circle as the bare top.
- Cut and Twist the Star:
- Place a small cup or round cutter in the center just to mark it. Use a sharp knife to slice sixteen strips from the edge of the cup out to the rim of the dough.
- Form the Points:
- Working with two strips at a time twist them away from each other twice and pinch the ends firmly to seal. Go all the way around until you have an eight-pointed star.
- Second Rise:
- Cover the shaped bread loosely and let it rest for twenty to thirty minutes while you preheat the oven to three hundred fifty degrees fahrenheit. This last rise puffs it up for a light bake.
- Egg Wash and Bake:
- Brush the bread all over with beaten egg using a pastry brush for a glossy finish. Bake for about twenty-two to twenty-five minutes until deep golden and set.
- Cool and Serve:
- Allow to cool slightly on the pan. If desired sift powdered sugar over the top for an extra festive touch. Serve warm or at room temp and enjoy every gooey pull-apart bite.
Pin Every holiday I look forward to sourcing the best cinnamon and brown sugar I can find. My kids love helping twist and form the points—it turns bread baking into a real family event that everyone remembers.
Storage Tips
Cinnamon Star Bread stays soft for a couple of days when wrapped tightly in foil or plastic wrap at room temperature. If you plan to keep it longer slice and freeze individual portions in an airtight bag. Pop in a low oven or toaster when ready to eat and the bread is almost as wonderful as fresh.
Ingredient Substitutions
If you run out of brown sugar simply pulse white sugar with a splash of molasses for a quick homemade version. Non-dairy milk works very well for plant-based baking and vegan butter can be swapped if needed. For a more complex spice blend try adding a pinch of freshly grated nutmeg or a little clove.
Serving Suggestions
This bread is meant for sharing so let everyone pull apart their own points. Serve it slightly warm for the ultimate gooeyness as part of a special brunch or with dessert coffee after dinner. A little orange zest in the filling brightens it up during winter.
Cultural or Historical Context
Star breads like this have their roots in European baking traditions where intricate shapes and sweet enrichments signal celebration. They are especially beloved in Scandinavian and Central European homes around Christmas but have inspired home bakers everywhere with their beauty and ease.
Seasonal Adaptations
Add orange or lemon zest to the filling for a fresh festive twist Swap the cinnamon for cardamom or chai mix to change things up Top with pearl sugar or sparkling sugar instead of powdered sugar for crunch
Success Stories
Many readers share that this recipe became their go-to for Christmas morning or to gift friends around the neighborhood. If you love a recipe that impresses both the eye and the palate this one delivers with no stress and lots of wow. Pulling the first slice from the warm bread is usually met with a chorus of oohs and aahs.
Freezer Meal Conversion
Prepare the bread through shaping then freeze the unbaked star right on the baking sheet. Once firm wrap well and keep for up to one month. Thaw overnight in the fridge let rise at room temperature for forty-five minutes and bake fresh for the holidays.
Pin Bake your star bread with joy and serve fresh for maximum impact. A sprinkle of powdered sugar adds a magical finish.
Recipe Q&A
- → Can I prepare the dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the dough, let it rise, punch it down and refrigerate overnight. Shape and bake the next day.
- → What variations can I use for the filling?
Try adding orange zest, cardamom, or swapping brown sugar for honey to personalize the flavor profile.
- → How do I get a perfect star shape?
Use a round cutter as a guide in the center, and carefully twist and pinch each strip as instructed.
- → Is it suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, this bread is vegetarian, using eggs, milk, and butter, but no meat products.
- → Can I freeze leftovers?
Absolutely. Cool slices well, wrap tightly, and freeze for up to one month. Reheat gently before serving.