Sourdough Star Bread

Here’s a delightful recipe for sourdough star bread, a beautiful and tasty way to use your sourdough starter. This bread is perfect for sharing!

Ingredients:

For the Dough:

• 1 cup active sourdough starter
• 1/2 cup warm milk (or water)
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 large egg
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon instant yeast (optional, for quicker rise)

For the Filling:

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon (or to taste)
• Optional: chopped nuts or chocolate chips

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Dough:

1. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the sourdough starter, warm milk, sugar, melted butter, and egg. Mix until well combined.
2. Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the flour, salt, and instant yeast (if using). Mix until a shaggy dough forms.
3. Knead: Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. You can also use a stand mixer with a dough hook for about 5 minutes.

2. First Rise:

• Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a damp cloth or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours, or until doubled in size.

3. Prepare the Filling:

• In a small bowl, mix together the softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon until well combined.

4. Shape the Star:

1. Roll Out Dough: Once the dough has risen, punch it down and divide it into four equal pieces. Roll out each piece into a large circle (about 10-12 inches in diameter).
2. Layer: Place one dough circle on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Spread a portion of the filling on top. Repeat with the remaining circles and filling, stacking them as you go. Finish with the last dough circle on top.
3. Cut and Twist: Use a sharp knife or pizza cutter to make cuts into the dough, slicing into the center but not all the way through (like cutting a pizza). You should make 16 cuts for a star shape. Twist each section of dough to create the star shape.

5. Second Rise:

• Cover the shaped star bread and let it rise for about 30-60 minutes, or until puffed.

6. Preheat the Oven:

• Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

7. Bake:

• Bake the star bread for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown. If it’s browning too quickly, you can cover it loosely with foil.

8. Cool:

• Let the bread cool on a wire rack for a few minutes before serving.

Enjoy!

This sourdough star bread is perfect for special occasions or gatherings. Serve it warm, and enjoy pulling apart the delicious layers!