Sourdough Christmas Star Bread

This Sourdough Christmas Star Bread brings the holiday magic to your kitchen without the usual stress or hours of complicated labor. You get a pillowy, buttery crumb paired with a tangy sourdough depth that everyone at the table will crave. It looks like a professional bakery masterpiece, but I promise it fits into your hectic schedule perfectly.

The warm cinnamon-sugar filling creates a cozy aroma that fills your entire home as it bakes. Best of all, this impressive centerpiece requires minimal hands-on time thanks to my streamlined process. Stop worrying about complicated pastries and start baking this stunning, festive loaf today.

Why You’ll Love This Sourdough Christmas Star Bread

• Stunning Visual Appeal: This bread looks incredibly intricate but uses a simple twisting technique that anyone can master in minutes.
• Better Digestion: Using a sourdough base breaks down gluten and phytic acid, making this treat gentler on your stomach than standard yeast breads.
• Pantry Staples: You likely already have every single ingredient in your kitchen right now, saving you a frantic trip to the grocery store.
• Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prep the dough the night before and bake it fresh in the morning for a zero-stress holiday breakfast.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Quality matters when you use so few ingredients. Choose a high-quality grass-fed butter for the richest flavor in your Sourdough Christmas Star Bread. Ensure your sourdough starter is active and bubbly to give the bread the best possible lift and airy texture.

Substitutions & Variations

Note: This video is for demonstration purposes and may use a slightly different method.

I am all about flexibility in the kitchen. If you want to make this Sourdough Christmas Star Bread a bit healthier or just different, try these simple swaps. Instead of refined white sugar, use coconut sugar or maple sugar for a deeper, caramel-like sweetness.

If you are dairy-free, replace the whole milk with unsweetened almond or oat milk and use a high-quality vegan butter substitute. For a whole-grain boost, swap out one cup of all-purpose flour for white whole wheat flour. You can even change the filling entirely.

Try a savory version with pesto and parmesan cheese, or a fruity version using a low-sugar raspberry jam. My favorite healthy twist involves adding a tablespoon of ground flaxseed to the dough for extra fiber without changing the taste. Always remember that sourdough is forgiving, so do not be afraid to experiment with what you have in your pantry.

If you want to add a healthier twist to your Sourdough Christmas Star Bread, consider exploring simple ingredient swaps. You can enhance your baking by checking out this link on Sourdough Bread for more ideas.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Mix the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine your active sourdough starter, warm milk, melted butter, sugar, and salt. Gradually add the flour while stirring with a sturdy spoon. Once the dough forms a shaggy ball, turn it onto a lightly floured surface. Knead the dough for about 5 to 8 minutes until it feels smooth and elastic. You want a soft dough that is not overly sticky.
2. The First Rise: Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl and cover it with a damp cloth. Let it sit in a warm spot for about 4 to 6 hours. Because this is Sourdough Christmas Star Bread, the rise time depends on the strength of your starter and the temperature of your kitchen. Look for the dough to nearly double in size.
3. Prepare the Filling: While the dough rises, mix your brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Ensure there are no large clumps of sugar. Melt a small extra knob of butter to brush between the layers.
4. Divide and Shape: Punch down the risen dough to release the air. Divide it into four equal portions. Roll each portion into a circle roughly 10 inches in diameter. Place the first circle on a piece of parchment paper. Brush it with melted butter and sprinkle a third of the cinnamon-sugar mixture over it. Repeat this for the next two layers. Place the final dough circle on top but do not put filling on the very top layer of your Sourdough Christmas Star Bread.
5. Create the Star: Place a small circular lid or glass in the center of the dough stack to mark a middle point. Do not press all the way through. Use a sharp knife or pizza cutter to cut the dough into 16 even strips, radiating out from the center circle. Take two adjacent strips and twist them away from each other twice. Pinch the ends together firmly to form a point. Repeat this all the way around the circle until you have eight beautiful points.
6. Final Proof and Bake: Let the shaped Sourdough Christmas Star Bread rest for another 30 to 60 minutes. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Brush the top with a beaten egg wash for that signature shine. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until the bread turns a deep golden brown. Let it cool slightly before serving so the sugar sets.

Pro Tips for Success

Achieving a perfect Sourdough Christmas Star Bread requires a few technical tricks. First, do not rush the fermentation. Sourdough relies on wild yeast, which moves slower than commercial packets.

If your house is cold, try placing the dough inside an oven that is turned off but has the light on. Second, use a pizza cutter for the cleanest cuts when shaping the star. A dull knife will drag the dough and smudge the beautiful layers.

Third, ensure your layers are rolled to a consistent thickness. This guarantees the bread bakes evenly and the star looks symmetrical. If the dough feels too springy and keeps shrinking back while you roll it, let it rest for five minutes to relax the gluten.

Finally, don’t over-flour your work surface. Too much extra flour can make the Sourdough Christmas Star Bread dry and tough instead of light and airy.

Mastering the perfect technique is crucial for your Sourdough Christmas Star Bread. To elevate your skills further, read this informative guide on Sourdough Croissant Loaf for tips on fermentation and shaping.

Storage & Reheating Tips

You can keep your Sourdough Christmas Star Bread fresh for up to three days by storing it in an airtight container at room temperature. Sourdough naturally stays fresh longer than other breads due to its acidity, but the sugar filling can draw moisture. For longer storage, wrap the bread tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil, and freeze it for up to two months.

When you are ready to enjoy it again, skip the microwave as it can make the dough rubbery. Instead, reheat individual slices in a toaster oven or place the whole loaf back in a 350°F oven for about 5 to 10 minutes. This restores the crispness of the crust and the gooeyness of the cinnamon center, making your Sourdough Christmas Star Bread taste like it just came out of the oven.

What to Serve With This Recipe

I love balancing the sweetness of the Sourdough Christmas Star Bread with something fresh and savory. Since I focus on efficient, healthy living, I usually pair this with a crisp arugula salad topped with sliced pears and toasted walnuts. The peppery greens cut through the rich butter and sugar perfectly.

If you are serving this for a holiday brunch, add a side of roasted asparagus or a quick vegetable frittata to get some protein and fiber on the plate. A bowl of Greek yogurt with fresh berries also complements the tangy sourdough notes. If you want to keep it simple, just serve it alongside a steaming cup of black coffee or herbal tea. This bread is the star of the show, so your sides should remain simple and nutritious.

Pairing your Sourdough Christmas Star Bread with fresh, savory sides enhances your holiday feast. For complementary recipes, take a look at this article on Sourdough Bread that includes suggestions for delicious accompaniments.

FAQs

Can I use sourdough discard instead of an active starter?

You can use sourdough discard for this Sourdough Christmas Star Bread, but you will need to add a teaspoon of commercial yeast to ensure it rises properly. Discard on its own is not active enough to lift a heavy, enriched dough. Adding the yeast gives you the sourdough flavor with the reliability of a quick rise, which is a great shortcut for busy mornings.

How do I make sure the star points don’t unravel during baking?

The key to a beautiful Sourdough Christmas Star Bread is the pinch. When you twist the two strips of dough, press the ends together very firmly with your fingers. Some bakers even use a tiny drop of water to “glue” the ends. Make sure you twist them outward so the tension helps hold the shape as the dough expands in the oven.

Can I prepare the dough in a bread machine?

Absolutely! I love using my bread machine to handle the heavy lifting. Simply add the liquid ingredients, then the dry ingredients and the sourdough starter.

Use the “dough” setting to mix and complete the first rise. Once the cycle finishes, take the dough out and proceed with the rolling and shaping steps for your Sourdough Christmas Star Bread. This saves you about 10 minutes of manual labor and cleanup.

Sourdough Christmas Star Bread is a festive variation of traditional sourdough bread, shaped into an eye-catching star form that’s perfect for celebrations. This unique bread not only boasts a delightful flavor but also provides the health benefits associated with sourdough fermentation, making it an interesting subject of study in culinary arts; learn more about it in this insightful article.

Nutrition Information (per serving)

This recipe makes approximately 12 servings. This data reflects a standard slice of the Sourdough Christmas Star Bread using the ingredients listed above.

Sourdough Christmas Star Bread

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• Author: Sara
• Total Time: 50 mins
• Yield: 12 servings 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

This Sourdough Christmas Star Bread brings the holiday magic to your kitchen without the usual stress or hours of complicated labor. You get a pillowy, buttery crumb paired with a tangy sourdough depth that everyone at the table will crave.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

1/2 cup Active Sourdough Starter
3 cups All-Purpose Flour
3/4 cup Whole Milk (Warm)
4 tablespoons Unsalted Butter (Melted)
1/4 cup Granulated Sugar
1 teaspoon Sea Salt
2 tablespoons Ground Cinnamo
1/3 cup Brown Sugar
1 large Egg (For Wash)

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Instructions

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine your active sourdough starter, warm milk, melted butter, sugar, and salt. Gradually add the flour while stirring with a sturdy spoon. Knead the dough for about 5 to 8 minutes until smooth and elastic
2. Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover it with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm spot for about 4 to 6 hours until it nearly doubles in size
3. While the dough rises, mix brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Punch down the risen dough, divide into four equal portions and roll each into a circle
4. Layer the circles with melted butter and cinnamon-sugar mixture. Cut the dough into strips and twist them to form a star shape. Let it rest for 30 to 60 minutes
5. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Brush with egg wash and bake for 25 to 30 minutes until golden brown. Let cool slightly before serving

Notes

Use a high-quality grass-fed butter for the richest flavor.

Ensure your sourdough starter is active and bubbly for the best results.

Consider making it healthier by swapping sugars and using dairy-free substitutes.

• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 30 mins
• Category: Baking
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 slice
• Calories: 245 kcal
• Sugar: 14g
• Sodium: 210mg
• Fat: 7g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 42g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 5g
• Cholesterol: 35mg