Looking for a new baked goodie to serve for Christmas day brunch? This easy cinnamon holiday star bread makes for an amazing dessert, breakfast or brunch treat. Don’t let its stunning presentation scare you away from making it yourself, it is surprisingly easy to do! Soon you will have a gorgeous sweet treat to share with family or friends.
Steps for making Easy Cinnamon Holiday Star Bread
- Mix ingredients to form a soft, elastic dough.
- After rising, cut dough into 4 equal pieces.
- Roll each piece of dough into a 12″ round.
- Brush 1st three layers with egg wash and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar mixture.
- Top with last piece of dough and follow directions for slicing into 16 pieces (leaving a 2″ round center).
- Two at a time, twist two pieces of dough away from each other making 2 turns and then pinching the ends into a point. Brush with remaining egg wash.
- Allow star to rise 45 more minutes until puffy.
- Bake 15 minutes until golden.
- Sprinkle lightly with powdered sugar or serve warm with creamy frosting.
Watch a visual process here
Easy Cinnamon Holiday Star Bread
Layers of delicious cinnamon swirled sweet dough with a creamy cinnamon frosting
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 teaspoons SAF instant yeast
- 1/4 cup warm water
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup warm milk
- 1/4 cup salted butter softened
- 3 1/2 cups All purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg
Filling
- 1 Beaten egg with 1/2 teaspoon water made into an egg wash
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 Tablespoon cinnamon ground
Creamy frosting topping
- 8 Tablespoons cream cheese Room temperature
- 1/4 cup salted butter Room temperature
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- In a mixer, combine yeast and warm water. Allow yeast to activate and become foamy for about 5 minutes. (I like to cover the bowl with a towel to trap the heat in).In another medium bowl, combine warm milk, softened butter, sugar, salt, egg and one cup of flour. Mix well and add to the yeast mixture. Add remaining 2 1/2 cups of flour until a soft dough forms. Use dough hook to knead dough for 6-8 minutes or until the dough is smooth and elastic. Knead on counter if you are not using a stand mixer. Add dough to a large oiled bowl. Cover the bowl with a kitchen towel to trap in heat and prevent dough from drying out. Allow the dough to rise 1 hour.Mix together 1/2 cup of sugar and 1 tablespoon cinnamon. Beat one egg and add 1/2 teaspoon water to make an egg wash. Set aside. Dump dough on a lightly floured countertop. Using a sharp knife, slice dough into 4 even pieces. Form dough pieces into a round disc shape. Roll each piece into a 12" circle. (It doesn't have to be perfect!)Place first layer on a sheet of parchment paper. Brush with egg wash and sprinkle 1/3 of the cinnamon and sugar mixture onto the dough (usually about 3 tablespoons is perfect!)Repeat twice more, ending with final dough round on the top. Place a 2-1/2-in. round cutter or cup on top of the dough (this will be your center guide). With a sharp knife, make 16 evenly spaced cuts from round cutter to edge of dough, I like to start with 4, then make 8 then 16 so they're all even. Ad this point I like to pick up the parchment sheet and move it onto a baking tray. You will now grab 2 sections of the dough at a time and turn them away from each other 2 times making 2 twists. Pinch the ends together to slightly form a point. Continue around the star until you have 8 twisted points. Brush dough parts of the star with remaining egg wash. Isn't it so pretty already? JUST WAIT!Cover star with a kitchen towel and allow to rise 35-45 minutes or until proofed and puffy. You can re-pinch the ends together if needed.Bake at 400° for 15 minutes or until golden! Allow to cool slightly, serve warm with creamy frosting dip. To make frosting, simply beat all ingredients together and top slices of the warm Christmas star. Store in the refrigerator.
Other holiday treats you will love
Favorite soft gingerbread cookies
Making special food during the holiday season brings me so much joy. Any time I can combine art with food its such a bonus! Many will look at this bread and say “I could never make that” but I am here to promise you, you can! If you follow the steps it really is not hard at all. I am so excited to see you try, and would love to hear from you on Instagram if you make it! Be sure to tag me or send me a message so I can see.
Happy holidays and Merry Christmas my dear friends!