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Irresistibly Festive Christmas Morning Star Bread

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A delightful and visually stunning star-shaped bread, perfect for Christmas mornings, infused with cinnamon and orange zest, and served with a rich pecan caramel sauce.

Ingredients

Scale
  • ¼ cup warm water
  • 1 tbsp + ¾ tsp dry active yeast
  • ¾ cup whole milk
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 ½ sticks (6 oz) butter, browned and cooled
  • 3 eggs, beaten
  • 1 tbsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp almond extract
  • 1 tsp orange zest
  • 3 ¾ – 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp kosher salt
  • 2 sticks (8 oz) butter, softened
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp ground cloves
  • ½ tsp orange zest
  • ¼ tsp kosher salt
  • Raw sugar, for baking
  • 1 stick (4 oz) butter
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup chopped pecans
  • ½ tsp kosher salt

Instructions

  1. In the bowl of a stand mixer, whisk together the warm water and dry active yeast. Let it sit for 20 minutes until frothy.
  2. Combine milk and cinnamon sticks in a saucepan, heat over low for 10 minutes, strain out cinnamon sticks.
  3. In the yeast mixture, add the strained milk, granulated sugar, cooled brown butter, and beaten eggs. Whisk until smooth. Stir in vanilla, almond extract, and orange zest.
  4. Gradually add in 3 ¾ cups of flour and kosher salt to wet ingredients while using the dough attachment on low speed.
  5. Knead dough on a floured surface for 2 minutes, let rise in a warm area for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
  6. Combine softened butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, ground cloves, orange zest, and salt in a mixing bowl for filling.
  7. Cut the dough into 4 pieces, roll each into a circle, layer with filling, and shape into a star.
  8. Let the bread rest and rise for another 30 minutes, preheat the oven to 350°F.
  9. Brush the bread with egg wash, sprinkle with raw sugar, and bake for 30 minutes until golden.
  10. Cool for 10 minutes, dust with powdered sugar, and serve with pecan caramel sauce.

Notes

Use high-quality ingredients for the best results. Make ahead and refrigerate overnight for convenience.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://us.recipesfood.org/star-bread/

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