Festive Holiday Star Bread: Magical Christmas Twist Recipe

Warm, golden-brown strands of dough beautifully weave together in this Christmas star twisted bread that promises to become the centerpiece of your holiday table.

Festive aromas will dance through your kitchen as you craft this stunning pastry.

Rich, buttery layers spiral into an impressive star shape that looks far more complicated than it actually is.

Each twist speaks to traditional baking techniques passed down through generations.

Soft, pillowy dough gets brushed with a glaze that catches the light like fresh snow.

Every slice reveals delicate, tender layers that melt in your mouth.

This bread brings pure joy to holiday gatherings and creates memories as delicious as its taste.

How to Shape and Bake Christmas Star Bread

• Christmas Star Foundation

Gather all your baking passion and create a magical holiday bread that looks like an edible work of art. This recipe transforms simple ingredients into a stunning centerpiece that will wow everyone at your gathering.

• Dough Creation

Mix warm liquids with flour and yeast to form a soft, pillowy base. Knead the mixture until it becomes smooth and elastic, letting it rest and rise in a cozy spot. The dough will transform from a humble blend into a beautiful canvas.

• Layered Landscape

Roll out delicate circles of dough, painting each layer with sweet fruity spread. Build a tower of flavor, carefully stacking each round with precision and love. Each layer tells a story of holiday warmth.

• Starburst Transformation

Using a playful technique, slice and twist the dough into a mesmerizing star pattern. Gently turn each section outward, creating dramatic peaks and valleys that resemble a festive winter landscape.

• Baking Magic

Let the bread rise one final time before sliding it into a hot oven. Watch as golden colors emerge and sweet aromas fill your kitchen, signaling the bread’s journey from raw ingredients to a celebration centerpiece.

• Finishing Touch

Once cooled, dust the bread with a soft layer of powdered sugar, making it sparkle like fresh winter snow. Serve and watch as your friends and family marvel at your culinary creation.

Christmas Star Bread Baking Tips and Tricks

• Experiment with different fruit preserves like raspberry, blueberry, or apricot to create unique flavor combinations. Each jam brings its own vibrant color and taste to the star-shaped bread.
• Sprinkle chopped almonds, pecans, or walnuts between dough layers for extra texture and a delightful nutty undertone. This simple twist adds depth and crunch to every bite.
• Prepare the dough and shape the star up to 12 hours in advance, then cover and refrigerate. Remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking to let it come to room temperature and complete its final rise.
• Replace wheat flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for those with dietary restrictions. Add a teaspoon of xanthan gum to help improve the dough's elasticity and rise.
• Incorporate warming spices like ground cinnamon, cardamom, or nutmeg into the dough for a festive holiday flavor profile. These aromatic additions will transform the bread into a truly memorable treat.

Serving the Christmas Star Twisted Bread

• Festive Centerpiece Presentation: Showcase this stunning star bread as the crown jewel of your holiday table, placing it on a beautiful wooden board or elegant cake stand to highlight its intricate design.
• Holiday Brunch Companion: Slice and serve alongside hot cocoa, fresh fruit compote, or a creamy vanilla latte for a delightful morning gathering that will impress family and friends.
• Sweet Gifting Option: Wrap the cooled bread in clear cellophane with a festive ribbon, creating a homemade gift that looks professionally crafted and tastes absolutely delicious – perfect for neighbors or holiday hosts.
• Dessert Transformation: After the main meal, warm individual slices slightly and top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of warm chocolate sauce for an indulgent post-dinner treat that elevates the bread into a decadent dessert.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Calories: 240 kcal

Servings: 10

Christmas Star Twisted Bread Ingredient Checklist

• Active Dry Yeast: Powerful rising agent that brings life and softness to the bread, choose fresh yeast with recent expiration date for best performance.
• Warm Water: Gentle liquid to wake up and activate yeast cells, ensure precise temperature for optimal yeast activation.

• All-Purpose Flour: Strong foundation for bread structure, select unbleached flour for better texture and richer flavor.
• Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps yeast fermentation, use fine granulated sugar for smooth incorporation.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and controls yeast growth, use fine sea salt for even distribution.
• Softened Butter: Adds richness and tender crumb, allow butter to reach room temperature for easy mixing.

• Seedless Raspberry Jam: Vibrant fruity center that adds tangy sweetness, choose high-quality jam with intense berry flavor.
• Melted Butter: Creates golden, glossy surface and adds extra richness, use unsalted butter for better control of saltiness.
• Large Egg: Binds ingredients and provides structure, select fresh room temperature egg for smooth integration.
• Warm 2% Milk: Adds moisture and softness, ensure precise temperature for optimal dough consistency.
• Confectioners' Sugar: Delicate finishing touch for beautiful presentation, sift before dusting for elegant look.

Equipment Needed for Christmas Star Twisted Bread

• Pizza Pan: Large, flat pan essential for shaping and baking the star bread.
• Sharp Knife: Critical for making precise cuts to create the star pattern.
• 2½-inch Round Cutter: Helps create the perfect center guide for cutting the dough.
• Large Mixing Bowl: Needed for combining ingredients and kneading dough.
• Electric Mixer: Useful for beating ingredients until smooth.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensure accurate ingredient measurements.
• Floured Surface: Provides space for kneading and rolling out dough.
• Wire Rack: Allows bread to cool evenly without getting soggy.
• Pastry Brush: Used for applying melted butter after baking.
• Sifter or Strainer: Helps dust confectioners' sugar evenly over the bread.

Storage Tips for Christmas Star Twisted Bread

• Smart Storage Strategies: Place cooled bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, ensuring maximum freshness and soft texture.
• Quick Refrigeration Tip: When storing longer than 3 days, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to one week, maintaining its delightful taste and soft crumb.
• Freezing Success: Wrap individual slices or whole bread in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature for best results, restoring its original delicious quality.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the dough one day ahead, cover, and slow-rise in the refrigerator overnight. This technique enhances flavor development and reduces morning preparation time, giving you a stress-free baking experience.

Festive Christmas Star Bread

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• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: 10 1x

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Description

Mouthwatering Christmas star twisted bread reveals a festive Polish pastry with intricate braided layers of sweet dough. Rich buttery strands intertwine to create a spectacular holiday centerpiece for family gatherings.

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Ingredients

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• 1 package (0.25 oz / 7 g) active dry yeast
• 1 large egg (room temperature)
• ¼ cup sugar
• ¼ cup softened butter
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ¼ cup warm water (110°–115°F)
• ¼ cup warm 2% milk (110°–115°F)
• 3 ¼ to 3 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup seedless raspberry jam
• 2 tbsps melted butter
• Confectioners’ sugar

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Instructions

1. Yeast Activation: Dissolve yeast in warm water until frothy. In a large mixing bowl, combine milk, egg, butter, sugar, and salt into a smooth liquid base.
2. Dough Formation: Merge the activated yeast with liquid ingredients. Gradually integrate flour, mixing until a cohesive, silky dough develops. Knead thoroughly on a floured surface for 6-8 minutes, creating an elastic texture.
3. First Proofing: Transfer dough to a greased bowl, ensuring complete surface coverage. Drape with a clean towel and let rise in a warm environment until volume doubles, approximately 1 hour.
4. Layering and Filling: Divide dough into four equal circles. Stack layers on a greased pizza pan, spreading jam between each circular section, leaving a slight border around edges.
5. Shaping the Star: Position a round cutter in the center of the top layer. Slice 16 equidistant radial cuts without pressing through the center. Twist adjacent strips outward twice, creating an intricate starburst design by pinching strip ends together.
6. Second Proofing and Baking: Allow shaped bread to rise again for 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake until golden brown, watching carefully to prevent jam overflow, roughly 18-22 minutes.
7. Finishing Touches: Remove from oven and delicately brush with melted butter. Cool completely on a wire rack, then dust generously with confectioners’ sugar for an elegant presentation.

Notes

• Temperature Precision Matters: Use an accurate digital thermometer to ensure yeast activates perfectly at 110°F/43°C, preventing under or over-proofing.
• Kneading Technique: Develop gluten by kneading dough thoroughly for 6-8 minutes, creating a smooth, elastic texture that guarantees soft, tender bread.
• Jam Distribution Strategy: Maintain a ½-inch border when spreading jam to prevent leakage and ensure clean, neat layers during baking.
• Starburst Shaping Tips: Twist strips gently and evenly, pinching ends carefully to create a consistent, symmetrical star pattern that looks professionally crafted.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Breakfast, Snack, Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: European

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 10
• Calories: 240
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 180 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg