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Christmas Morning Star Bread

Delightful Christmas Morning Star Bread for a Festive Breakfast

This Christmas Morning Star Bread is a delightful centerpiece for your holiday breakfast, filled with layers of orange and vanilla-scented brown sugar.
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Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 30 minutes
Rising Time 2 hours
Total Time 3 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 12 slices
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: Holiday
Calories: 250
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Dough
  • 4 cups All-purpose flour Substitute with a gluten-free blend for dietary needs.
  • 1 cup Milk (cinnamon-infused) Can be swapped with dairy-free milk for a vegan version.
  • 2 tablespoons Sugar
  • 2 teaspoons Active dry yeast Ensure it’s fresh for the best rise.
  • 1/2 cup Unsalted butter Melted, for better control over salt levels.
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon Almond extract Omit if allergic; use additional vanilla extract.
  • 1 piece Orange zest Imparts bright citrus notes.
  • 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
Filling
  • 1 cup Brown sugar Light or dark brown sugar can be used interchangeably.
Caramel Sauce
  • 1 cup Sugar
  • 1/2 cup Unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup Heavy cream
  • 1 cup Pecan halves Can substitute with walnuts or omit for nut-free.
  • 1 cup Powdered sugar For topping.

Equipment

  • mixing bowl
  • Measuring cups
  • Measuring spoons
  • oven
  • baking sheet
  • parchment paper
  • Saucepan

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Warm the milk and mix in sugar and yeast. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until frothy.
  2. Combine all-purpose flour, yeast mixture, melted butter, vanilla extract, almond extract, and orange zest in a bowl. Stir until a dough forms.
  3. Knead the dough on a floured surface for 5–7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
  4. Let the dough rise in a greased bowl covered with a towel for 1–2 hours until doubled.
  5. Punch down the dough, divide into four pieces, roll each into a circle, and stack with filling.
  6. Cut into a star shape, let it rise for 30 minutes on a baking sheet.
  7. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake for 25–30 minutes until golden.
  8. Prepare the caramel sauce by combining sugar, butter, and heavy cream in a saucepan, then add pecans after thickening.
  9. Drizzle warm caramel sauce over the bread and dust with powdered sugar before serving.

Notes

Store leftover star bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Freeze for longer storage.