Delicious Sourdough Star Bread made with a brioche type bread made Sourdough starter, flour, salt and sugar with fruit filling. Excellent dessert bread.
If you are looking for a last-minute edible Christmas or holiday gift idea to friends and family, then try this Sourdough Christmas Star bread. If you have an active sourdough starter in hand, making it is easy. This sourdough Christmas star bread is filled with seedless raspberry jam. If you want, you can add your own favorite filling to make Christmas star bread extra special
How to make Sourdough Christmas Star Bread
Ingredients: you need an active young leavain using 100% sourdough starter. You can make this in the early morning of your bread baking day. If you want plan for overnight leavain then you need to make it before going to bed.
Flour: use unbleached all-purpose flour
Sweetener: use sugar, you can use less sugar as you are going to fill the bread with a sweet filling.
Milk: Use milk instead of water, as it adds extra richness to this brioche type bread. I used whole milk.
Vanilla extract: You can add this to make the dough aromatic. If you want to add orange blossom extractor or rose extract, that will also work here.
Eggs: I prefer to add eggs to get extra richness, if you are going for a eggless version add some potato flour or mashed potato.
Once you made the dough, set aside for proofing, it takes about 7-8 hours at 76 °F. If you have a cold kitchen, try to keep your dough on the top of refrigerator or dryer or even proof option in the oven.
When the dough is doubled in volume divide it into 4 equal pieces. Roll each out into a 10-inch circle, you can use cake tin base as marker. Stack them on top of each other with your filling between each. There will be 4 layers of dough and 4 layers of filling.
Shape the sourdough star bread: It is easy, first cut the dough into 4, then each piece into two, then again each piece into two. In the end you will get 16 pieces. Grab two strips and twist them away from each other, then press the two ends together. Your star bread will have 8 points.
Let it rest for 20 minutes, then bake. Cover the shaped bread and let it rest for 20 minutes before brushing with egg wash and baking. Egg wash gives a beautifully shiny and golden star bread.
How to Fill the Christmas star Bread
You can go wild with your filling: Yes, Nutella, cinnamon sugar, favorite jam, pumpkin butter, or apple butter etc. One thing you must remember while using jam or fruit spread is that they can make the dough wetter. So, while making the dough circle generously spray with the flour. Also, when using jam or fruit spread try to use seedless
Points to Remember:
If you want a sweeter sourdough Christmas star bread after the egg wash sprinkle some turbinado sugar or sugar on the top. Also add exactly 4 tablespoons of jam or fruit spread as filling. If you did not add any sugar on top after egg wash you can add powdered sugar once the bread comes out of the oven.
Bake the bread in high heat, 400 °F is ideal than the 350 °F, as higher temperature gives better initial rise.
You can freeze this sourdough Christmas star bread after baking. If you planning to freeze the dough after first proof divide the dough into 4 equal pieces and freeze the dough. Then when you are ready to bake thaw the dough and shape and bake.
For other Christmas bread recipes please check this 10 tradtional Yeast and sourdough Christams bread recipes
If you tried this recipe pelase tag me @zestysouthindiankitchen in facebook or @nidhinikhil in instagram I would love to see your creations.
Sourdough Star Bread
Equipment
- Pizza pan
Ingredients
- 335 g Unbleached all-purpose flour
- 94 g leavain I used 100% hydration sourdough starter
- 160 g Whole milk
- 1 large egg
- 57 g Unsalted butter
- 25 g Sugar
- 3 g Salt
- 3 g Vanilla extract
- Filling *
- ¾ cup seedless Raspberry jam
- Egg wash
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon milk
Instructions
- Make the dough: Mix all the ingredients except the butter in a kitchen aid stand mixer with paddle attachment until the flour is evenly moistened and the dough has formed a cohesive, sticky mass, 2 to 3 minutes on low speed of a stand mixer.
- Gradually add butter and incorporate about 1 minute on low speed. Once all the butter is incorporated, turn the mixer up one speed and knead the dough until it is smooth and supple though still somewhat soft and tacky, about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Cover the dough and let it rest in a warm (75°F) place for 8 to 12 hours.* ( If you want less sourdough tang reduce the time ) To develop strength in the dough, stretch and fold it in the bowl three to four times during the rest. This will increase the elasticity of the dough.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly greased or floured work surface and gently deflate it. Divide the dough into Four 173g piece each.
- Spread each dough into 10-inch circle. Place dough on a lightly floured work surface.
- Place the bottom circle on prepared baking sheet. If it lost its circle shape, use your hands to form the edges back into a round shape. Top with filling about ¼ cup raspberry fruit spread, leaving ½” of exposed dough along edges. Then layer the remaining circles and filling on top.
- The top layer does not have filling on it, so only 3 of the 4 circles will be topped with filling. Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut any scraps around the edges so you have an even circle. Place a 3-inch round object or bowl in the center and make an indent.
- This is the center of the star. Now it is time to cut strips from the edge to the center 3-inch circle. Using a pizza cutter, cut 16 even strips. Using both hands, grab two strips and twist them away from each other twice, then press the two ends together to make a point. Your star bread will have 8 points.
- Cover the shaped bread with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and let it rest for 20 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 400 °F (204°C).
- Bake the bread: Using a pastry brush, lightly brush the star bread with egg wash. This ensures a beautifully shiny golden-brown bread. Bake for about 20 minutes or until golden brown on top. If you notice the top or points browning too quickly, loosely tent the star bread with aluminum foil. Remove from the oven and cool for 5 minutes.
- To bake the same day: Bake the buns in a preheated 400°F oven for 22 minutes, until golden. A digital thermometer inserted into the center of a middle bun should read 190°F/ 87°C.
- Dust confectioners’ sugar on top and enjoy warm.
- You can cover and store leftover star bread at room temperature for 1-2 days or in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. For long time use you can freeze them.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
This is Swathi ( Dr. Ambujom Saraswathy Ph.D) from Zesty South Indian Kitchen who loves to explore cuisines from all over the world. Whenever possible I try to to give an Indian touch to several of the world cuisine, and has weakness for freshly baked bread. All the recipes you see here are created by me and approved after taste-test by my family.
Kelli Sowards says
Is the butter suppose to be melted?
Swathi says
you can add both way.
Katie says
I followed the directions for a less sour flavor and let it proof for two hours before putting it in the refrigerator. After that, how long does it need to sit at room temperature before rolling it out?
Swathi says
Leave it for 1-2 hours maximum not more than.
Nicole says
This sourdough star bread was so delicious! Absolutely loved this recipe.
Criss says
I tried this recipe, and the sourdough star bread turned out beautifully! It’s soft, flavorful, and so impressive to serve.
Jean says
So beautiful, I almost hesitated to eat it. Almost!!
Liz says
Besides being delicious, this bread is a work of art!!!
Criss says
This sourdough star bread is not only beautiful but also surprisingly simple to shape. It makes a perfect centerpiece for a holiday table or a cozy family breakfast.
Lathiya says
The star bread looks Christmasy. I will be making this recipe with kids.
Oscar says
I tried this sourdough star bread, and it was such a delight. The brioche-style dough is soft, fluffy, and so flavorful.
Amy says
My family loved this!
Sonja says
After a bit of coordination issues on my side I managed to wrap my head around how to make it and this came out as stunning centre piece. I will most certainly have this on my Christmas table, it's so pretty!
Anonymous says
Nora says
This dessert is my little girls new favorite! Thanks!
Juyali says
I love this recipe! It's always a hit with my family. So pretty.
Oscar says
This sourdough star bread turned out beautifully with its brioche-like texture and a subtly sweet fruit filling. The sourdough starter gave it a lovely depth of flavor that paired perfectly with the sweetness. It’s an impressive dessert bread that was as enjoyable to make as it was to eat.
Dk says
This Sourdough Star Bread was such a delight to bake and eat! I used the raspberry jam for the filling and it was the perfect balance of sweetness and tartness! So perfect for the holidays!
Nicole Kendrick says
What I love so much about this recipe is the contrast of sweet and tangy flavors in the bread. It's so good!
Anonymous says
This worked exactly as written, thanks!
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Tisha says
I made this for a get-together and everyone RAVED about it! So good
Tina says
My whole family loved this sourdough star bread recipe! Can't wait to make it again!
Katie says
Such a delicious sourdough recipe! I will definitely be making it again soon!
Krystle says
This brioche is just divine. I made it for brunch and everyone was super impressed.
Tiffany says
My family loves this bread! We call it star bread in the winter and flower bread in the summer! I used strawberry jam and it was delicious!
Lisa Brown says
Mine is in the oven right now. Thank you for the video and instructions you made it easy to follow!
Amy says
I have the bread proofing now and just got to wondering if it’s okay to have eggs in the dough that is sitting at room temperature for hours?
Swathi says
Yes no problem in that. I have done that anyway you are going to bake it in high temeperature.
Esther says
Hi..is this recipe for two stars? I would love to make it
Swathi says
you can double the recipe for two star bread
Kristen Meyers says
How would you go about using the baked loaf after freezing? After thawing is it good to go, or should it go in the oven for a bit? Thanks!
Swathi says
yes give it a thaw at room temperature and bake it.
Lathiya says
The star bread sounds perfect for Christmas. I'm sure kids love to get involved in making this delicacy.
Nora says
Yum! This star bread is gorgeous and delicious! I will definitely make it again! Thanks!
Elizabeth says
This bread was genius. Although I was daunted at first it was surprisingly easy to shape and I ended up with such a beautiful star! Will make again.
Gloria says
You are the master bread baker for sure. This is so pretty. It will be a welcome addition to the holiday table.
Debra says
So beautiful and everyone agreed, delicious too. Thanks for the step by step....really helpful.
nikkijw says
Thank you for sharing your recipe! I made this as a Christmas gift & it turned out really well. The video is so helpful in underscoring the instructions in the recipe.
Makhaya says
I’m always looking for new ways to use my sourdough starter. I’m definitely making this now. Perfect for the Christmas season!
Karla says
I adore sourdough! This recipe is on my list to make it again!
Anosa Malanga says
I haven't tried baking but I am trying to learn. I guess I will save this recipe so that I can surprise my family. I love how the design looks like too. I need to wake my creative side. haha
Catalina says
This Star Bread is so festive! I should make it with my kid!
Nyxie says
This sounds and looks gorgeous! I'd love to make something like this. I especially love how festive it is. Definitely, something to keep in mind for next year.
Kathy says
This looks amazing. I saw this somewhere the other day and thought I needed to make it. I'm glad to have seen this recipe. Now I know I need to make it.
Rosemary says
Such a beautiful bread...and tasty looking too. I'm going to have to try and make this soon for friends. Yum!!
Lynndee says
That is so pretty! And so perfect for the holidays. I made sourdough bread before but it's not that pretty. LOL.
Nikki Wayne says
Very creative and looks delicious! I'll try to make this one on New Year's Eve.
Tasheena says
This is so pretty and it looks so delicious. I can’t wait to try this.
Heather Harris says
Is there a way I can make the star then bake 3 hrs layer for desert after dinner ?
Swathi says
yes you can shape them and put it in referigerator immediately that way it won't over proof. and bake later.
Heather says
This is the prettiest bread I've ever seen! I would love to try to make something like this.
Bri says
This is stunning!! And I LOVE sourdough!! Making this VERY soon!!
GiGi Eats says
it's just so purdy!!
Amber Myers says
Not only is it beautiful, but I bet it tastes amazing. I just love sourdough.
melissa chapman says
Your breads are always top notch. This star bread is no exception and has the sweetness so that it can be used as a dessert.
Laura says
The star is really pretty. Perfect for a Christmas breakfast centerpiece
Sue says
Stunning - can't wait to try this!
Alexandra says
This is absolutely beautiful and delicious!