The Easiest Christmas Star Twisted Bread Recipe You’ll Love

Christmas star twisted bread refines simple ingredients into a festive culinary masterpiece that captures holiday magic.

Intricate folding techniques create a mesmerizing star-shaped design that wows guests at first glance.

The soft, pillowy dough embraces delectable fillings, promising a sensory journey through sweet or spiced layers.

Each twist and fold represents careful craftsmanship, turning ordinary bread into an extraordinary celebration.

Fragrant and visually stunning, this bread becomes more than just a recipe—it’s an experience of connection and joy.

Families and friends will gather around, drawn by its irresistible charm.

Why Christmas Star Twisted Bread Steals the Holiday Show

• Create a Festive Showstopper: This Christmas star twisted bread transforms an ordinary baking project into a spectacular centerpiece that will amaze family and friends with its intricate star-shaped design.
• Enjoy Delightful Jam-Packed Layers: Each slice bursts with sweet, fruity jam nestled between soft, buttery bread layers, creating a perfect balance of textures and flavors that dance on your taste buds.
• Master an Impressive Baking Technique: The unique twisting method might look complex, but it's surprisingly approachable for home bakers, offering a chance to develop new skills while creating a visually stunning bread that looks professionally crafted.

Tips to Nail That Flaky Christmas Star Twisted Bread Texture

• Master Yeast Activation: Ensure water is warm (not hot) between 100-110°F to prevent killing the delicate yeast microorganisms.
• Achieve Perfect Dough Texture: Knead methodically until smooth and elastic, using the windowpane test to check gluten development.
• Control Jam Spreading: Use a light hand when applying jam to prevent soggy layers and potential leakage during baking.
• Create Precise Star Shape: Use a sharp knife and steady hand when cutting strips to maintain symmetrical twisted pattern.
• Prevent Overbrowning: Monitor bread closely during final baking minutes, covering with aluminum foil if edges brown too quickly.

How to Store and Reheat Christmas Star Twisted Bread Without Drying It Out

• Storing Leftovers: Wrap the Christmas Star Twisted Bread tightly in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container. Keep at room temperature for up to 2 days, ensuring the bread stays moist and fresh. Refrigeration can help extend its shelf life to 4-5 days, but may slightly dry out the texture.
• Freezing Method: Carefully wrap the bread in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for up to 1 month. When ready to enjoy, thaw at room temperature for 2-3 hours, allowing the bread to return to its original softness.
• Reheating Technique: Warm individual slices in a toaster oven or regular oven at 300°F for 5-7 minutes. For best results, cover loosely with foil to prevent over-browning.

Holiday Pairings for Christmas Star Twisted Bread

• Pair Perfectly with Festive Mulled Wine: Warm, spiced mulled wine complements the sweet jam and buttery bread, creating a cozy Christmas flavor explosion that enhances the star-shaped pastry's richness.
• Serve Alongside Creamy Vanilla Custard: A smooth, silky vanilla custard provides a delightful contrast to the bread's jam-filled layers, balancing the sweetness and adding a luxurious touch to the dessert.
• Enjoy with Cinnamon-Spiced Tea: A hot cup of cinnamon tea brings out the bread's warm notes, adding depth to the overall flavor profile and creating a comforting winter treat that feels like a warm holiday hug.
• Complement with Sparkling Prosecco: The light, bubbly nature of prosecco cuts through the bread's richness, offering a refreshing counterpoint and making the dessert feel even more celebratory and special.

Creative Variations to Make Your Christmas Star Twisted Bread Stand Out

• Spiced Holiday Swirl: Replace jam with a mixture of cinnamon, nutmeg, brown sugar, and chopped nuts for a warm, festive flavor profile.
• Chocolate Berry Burst: Swap jam with a combination of dark chocolate chips and raspberry preserves for a rich, decadent version of the bread.
• Savory Herb Garden: Transform the recipe into a savory option by using herb-infused olive oil, sundried tomatoes, and grated parmesan cheese between layers instead of sweet filling.
• Tropical Sunrise: Create a fruity variation by layering mango preserves, shredded coconut, and a hint of lime zest for a bright, exotic touch to the traditional star bread.

Festive Ingredients That Shape Christmas Star Twisted Bread

• Active Dry Yeast: Essential for bread rising and creating soft, airy texture with classic fermented flavor.
• Warm Water: Helps activate and dissolve the yeast for proper bread development.
• Milk: Adds richness and helps create a tender bread crumb.
• Egg: Provides structure and helps bind ingredients together.
• Softened Butter: Contributes to rich flavor and creates a soft bread texture.
• Sugar: Feeds yeast and adds subtle sweetness to the bread.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and controls yeast growth.
• Flour: Provides structure and forms the base of the bread dough.

• Jam: Adds sweet, fruity flavor between bread layers, creating a delightful filling.

• Melted Butter: Gives a golden shine and extra richness to the bread surface.
• Confectioners Sugar: Provides a beautiful, sweet dusting for decoration.

How to Braid and Bake Christmas Star Twisted Bread Like a Pro

Step 1: Activate Yeast

Gather warm water and sprinkle yeast until it becomes foamy. In a large mixing bowl, combine milk, egg, softened butter, sugar, and salt. Add the yeast mixture and of flour. Beat on medium speed until the mixture turns smooth, approximately 1 minute. Gradually incorporate remaining flour to create a soft dough.

Step 2: Knead and Rise the Dough

Transfer dough onto a lightly floured surface. Knead thoroughly until the texture becomes smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place the dough in a greased bowl, rotating once to coat the surface. Cover and let the dough rise in a warm location until it doubles in size, roughly 1 hour.

Step 3: Create Delicious Layers

Gently deflate the dough and divide into 4 equal portions. Roll out each portion into a 12-inch circle and place on a greased 14-inch pizza pan. Spread layers of jam between each dough circle, leaving a 1/2-inch border around the edges. Ensure the final layer is the top dough portion.

Step 4: Design the Starburst Pattern

Position a 2½-inch round cutter in the center of the top dough layer without pressing down. Using a sharp knife, create 16 evenly spaced cuts from the cutter’s edge to the outer dough edge. Remove the cutter. Grab two adjacent strips and twist them outward twice, pinching the ends together. Continue this process with remaining strips to form a beautiful starburst design.

Step 5: Prepare for Baking

Cover the shaped dough and allow it to rise until nearly doubled, about 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 375°F.

Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the bread into the preheated oven. Bake until it turns a rich golden brown, approximately 18-22 minutes. Monitor closely during the final 5 minutes to prevent jam from overflowing. Once done, remove from the oven and gently brush with melted butter, avoiding jam-covered areas.

Step 7: Cool and Serve

Transfer the bread to a wire rack and allow it to cool completely. Just before serving, dust with a light sprinkle of confectioners’ sugar for an elegant finishing touch.

Christmas Star Twisted Bread Recipe

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4.8 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Christmas Star Twisted Bread brings festive magic to holiday tables with its intricate swirls of cinnamon and sweet dough. Delicate layers of rich filling and tender pastry promise a delightful centerpiece you will savor with family and friends.

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Ingredients

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Bread Makers:

• 1 package (0.25 ounces / 7 grams) active dry yeast
• 1 large egg (room temperature)
• ¼ cup softened butter
• ¼ cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt

Liquids:

• ¼ cup warm water (110°–115°F)
• ¼ cup warm 2% milk (110°–115°F)

Flour and Filling:

• 3 ¼ to 3 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup seedless raspberry jam
• 2 tablespoons melted butter
• Confectioners’ sugar

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Instructions

1. Prepare the yeast activation by dissolving it in warm water (110°F/43°C) until it becomes frothy and bubbly. In a spacious mixing bowl, blend lukewarm milk, room temperature egg, softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and salt until well combined.
2. Incorporate the activated yeast mixture into the liquid ingredients. Gradually fold in of all-purpose flour, mixing with an electric mixer on medium speed until the batter achieves a smooth consistency, approximately 1 minute.
3. Incrementally add the remaining flour to create a soft, pliable dough. Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead thoroughly, working the mixture until it becomes smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes.
4. Place the kneaded dough in a lightly greased bowl, rotating once to ensure complete surface coverage. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and allow to rise in a warm, draft-free location until the volume doubles, roughly 1 hour.
5. Deflate the risen dough by gently pressing down. Divide the dough into four equal portions. Roll out each portion into a 12-inch (30.5 centimeters) circular shape.
6. Arrange the first circle on a greased 14-inch (35.5 centimeters) pizza pan. Spread one-third of the jam evenly across the dough, maintaining a ½-inch (1.27 centimeters) border around the edges.
7. Layer subsequent dough circles, spreading jam between each layer and finishing with the final dough circle on top.
8. Position a 2½-inch (6.35 centimeters) round cutter in the center of the top dough layer without pressing down. Using a sharp knife, create 16 equally spaced cuts radiating from the cutter to the outer dough edge. Remove the cutter.
9. Twist adjacent strips outward twice, pinching the ends together to create a distinctive starburst pattern. Repeat for all remaining strips.
10. Cover the shaped bread and permit a second rise until nearly doubled in volume, approximately 30 minutes. Simultaneously, preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
11. Bake the bread until it achieves a rich golden-brown color, monitoring carefully during the final 5 minutes to prevent excessive jam leakage. The total baking time ranges between 18-22 minutes.
12. Remove from the oven and delicately brush with melted butter, carefully avoiding jam-exposed areas.
13. Transfer to a wire cooling rack and allow to cool completely. Before serving, dust generously with confectioners’ sugar for an elegant finish.

Notes

• Jam-layering requires careful spreading to prevent overflow and maintain a clean, visually appealing star design.
• Twisting adjacent dough strips creates intricate starburst patterns that transform ordinary bread into a stunning holiday centerpiece.
• Temperature control matters critically when activating yeast and rising dough, ensuring soft, pillowy bread texture.
• Precise cutting techniques using a round cutter guarantee symmetrical star edges and professional-looking final presentation.
• Brushing melted butter after baking adds luxurious shine and enhances the bread’s golden-brown appearance.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 280 kcal
• Sugar: 18g
• Sodium: 200mg
• Fat: 8g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 44g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 6g
• Cholesterol: 40mg