If you’ve ever wanted to create a stunning centerpiece for your table that’s as delicious as it is beautiful, sourdough star bread is a must make! Not only does it impress everyone who sees it, but it’s also super fun to make!
This would be perfectly with sourdough discard cinnamon rolls on a slow weekend morning!
I love a cinnamon roll as much as the next person, and this sourdough star bread is basically a shaped cinnamon roll. It looks and tastes amazing! You can drizzle it with a light glaze, or go all in and use a 3 ingredient cream cheese frosting for an even more indulgent bread!
When I made this star bread for the first time, my husband went crazy for it! He absolutely adored it! Then my kids basically ate the rest of it and everyone is asking me when I am going to make it again! Don't be intimidated by the shape. It's actually really easy to make and once you get the hang of it, you'll be making it time and time again!
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What is Sourdough Star Bread?
Sourdough star bread is a really fun, layered bread shaped into a star. It’s made with sourdough dough and typically filled with sweet or savory layers before being twisted into its signature design. People love making it around the holidays because it is so festive and looks beautiful!
Ingredients for Star Bread Recipe
- Active sourdough starter. If you are new to sourdough, you can buy a sourdough starter, make your own sourdough starter, or get one from a friend like I did!
- Whole milk, warmed. It should not be too hot or the milk will kill the yeast in the sourdough.
- Granulated sugar. For added sweetness.
- Butter, melted. Avocado oil or coconut oil can be used in place of butter.
- All-purpose flour. All purpose flour vs bread flour can be very confusing, but you can use either in this recipe.
- Salt. To feed the starter but also to balance the sweetness in this recipe.
- For the filling, you can use either cinnamon sugar (½ cup sugar + 1 tablespoon cinnamon) or Nutella for a sweet bread.
Be sure to check out the printable recipe card for full recipe information on ingredients and quantities.
How to Make Sourdough Cinnamon Star Bread
- Step 1: Combine your active sourdough starter, warm milk, sugar, and melted butter in a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer. Mix well. Add the flour and salt, stirring until a shaggy dough forms.
- Step 2: Knead the dough in the stand mixer for 4-5 minutes or on a floured surface for 8–10 minutes or until smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let it rise at room temperature for 10-12 hours or until doubled in size.
- Step 3: Punch down the dough and divide it into four equal pieces. Roll each piece into a circle approximately 10 inches in diameter. In a small bowl, melt the butter. In a separate bowl, mix together ½ cup of sugar with 2 tablespoons of cinnamon.
- Step 4: Place one circle on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush ⅓ of the melted butter onto the dough evenly across the surface, leaving a ½-inch border. Sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar.
- Step 3: Repeat the process for the rest of the dough and the rest of the cinnamon sugar mixture.
- Step 4: Place a small glass or jar in the center of the circle to mark the center. Using a sharp knife, cut the dough into 16 equal sections, leaving the center intact.
- Step 5: Take two sections that are next to each other, twist them outward two times. Pinch the ends together. Repeat with all sections. Cover the shaped bread and let it rise for 2-3 hours at room temperature. Preheat your oven to 375°F . Brush the bread with egg wash for a golden finish. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown. Drizzle with icing or powdered sugar before serving!
Lynn's Tip!
Though it might be tempting to fill the layers to the brim, try not to overfill. That will cause the filling to seep out the sides instead of staying in the bread.
Tips for Star Bread Recipe
- Make sure your sourdough starter is bubbly and active for the best rise. Check out how to maintain a starter to make sure it is healthy and perfect for baking.
- Roll out each circle to the same thickness so the star is even and rises at the same time.
- Parchment paper is the unsung hero of this recipe! Use parchment paper to make transferring and baking easy and stick free!
- If your kitchen is chilly, place the dough near a warm spot to rise. Check the size of the dough instead of the time. The kitchen temperature will depend on how long the dough needs to rise. It should double in size.
Sourdough Star Bread Recipe Variations
Use almond milk or oat milk for a dairy-free option. If you need a dairy free option, substitute with coconut oil for a dairy-free alternative.
Swap some all-purpose flour for whole wheat or spelt flour for a nuttier flavor. You may need to adjust the hydration when you change to a different flour.
Try using jam (like blueberry jam or mixed berry jam), Nutella, or a spiced sugar blend for sweet versions. For a savory star bread, pesto rosso, a classic basil pesto, or cream cheese with herbs works beautifully.
Sample Baker's Schedule
How to Store Sourdough Star Recipe
To make the dough in advance, after shaping the bread, cover it tightly and refrigerate overnight. Let it come to room temperature and rise before baking.
You can also freeze the dough! Shape the bread, freeze it unbaked, then thaw and bake as needed.
Store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, freeze the bread for up to 3 months and reheat as needed.
Sourdough Star Bread Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can substitute the sourdough starter with yeast. Use about 2 teaspoons of instant yeast.
If your bread is browning too fast, tent it with foil during the last 10–15 minutes of baking to prevent over-browning.
Cutting equal-sized sections and twisting them uniformly is key. Use a ruler or guide for precise measurements and take your time when twisting.
More Sourdough Recipes
📖 Recipe
Sourdough Star Bread Recipe
Ingredients
- 100 g Sourdough Starter Active and Bubbly
- 240 ml Whole Milk
- 50 g Granulated sugar
- 56 g Butter Melted
- 420 g All Purpose Flour
- 1 teaspoon Salt
For the filling
- 50 g Granulated Sugar
- 28 g Cinnamon
Instructions
- Combine the active sourdough starter, whole milk, sugar, and melted butter in a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer. Mix well. Add the flour and salt, stirring until a shaggy dough forms.
- Knead the dough in the stand mixer for 4-5 minutes on medium speed or on a floured surface for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let it rise at room temperature for 10-12 hours or until doubled in size.
- Punch down the dough and divide it into four equal pieces. Roll each piece into a circle approximately 10 inches in diameter. In a small bowl, melt the butter. In a separate bowl, mix together ½ cup of sugar with 2 tablespoons of cinnamon.
- Place one circle on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush ⅓ of the melted butter onto the dough evenly across the surface, leaving a ½-inch border. Sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar.
- Repeat the process for the rest of the dough and the rest of the cinnamon sugar mixture.
- Place a small glass or jar in the center of the circle to mark the center. Using a sharp knife, cut the dough into 16 equal sections, leaving the center intact.
- Take two sections that are next to each other, twist them outward two times. Pinch the ends together. Repeat with all sections. Cover the shaped bread and let it rise for 2-3 hours at room temperature.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F . Brush the bread with egg wash for a golden finish. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown. Drizzle with icing or powdered sugar before serving!
Notes
- Make sure your sourdough starter is active and bubbly.
- This is a heavy dough, so it might take up to 12 hours to double in size depending on how cold or warm your kitchen is.
- You can use Nutella, your favorite jam, or a savory filling in the middle of the dough.
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