Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Gorgeous star shape that looks impressive but is easy to make
- Sweet and tangy cranberry filling balances perfectly with the soft dough
- Ideal for holidays like Christmas, Thanksgiving, or brunches
- Pull-apart style makes it fun and shareable
- Can be made ahead for convenient entertaining
- Customizable with other fillings or glazes
- Soft, buttery dough with a golden, glossy finish
- Naturally festive color and presentation
- Works well with fresh or leftover cranberry sauce
- A showstopper centerpiece that tastes as good as it looks
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the dough:
- All-purpose flour
- Granulated sugar
- Active dry yeast
- Salt
- Warm milk
- Eggs
- Unsalted butter (softened)
For the filling:
- Cranberry sauce (homemade or store-bought)
- Optional: orange zest, chopped nuts, or cinnamon
For assembly and finish:
- Egg wash (1 egg + 1 tbsp water)
- Powdered sugar (optional, for dusting)
Directions
- Make the dough:
In a small bowl, activate the yeast in warm milk with a pinch of sugar. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer, combine flour, sugar, and salt. Add the yeast mixture, eggs, and softened butter.
Mix and knead for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise until doubled, about 1 to 1.5 hours. - Divide and roll:
Punch down the dough and divide it into 4 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a 10-inch circle.
Place one circle on a parchment-lined baking sheet and spread with a thin layer of cranberry sauce, leaving a ½-inch border.
Repeat with the next two layers, spreading cranberry sauce between each. Top with the final dough circle (no filling on top). - Shape the star:
Place a small round object (like a glass or jar lid) in the center as a guide.
Use a sharp knife or bench scraper to cut 16 equal strips from the edge of the center circle outward.
Take two adjacent strips and twist them away from each other twice, then pinch the ends together to form a point.
Repeat all the way around to create 8 points. - Final rise:
Cover the star bread lightly with a towel and let rise for 30–45 minutes. - Bake:
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Brush the bread with egg wash for a golden finish.
Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through. - Cool and serve:
Let cool slightly, then dust with powdered sugar if desired. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Servings and timing
This recipe makes 1 large star bread (8–12 servings).
Prep time: 30 minutes
Rise time: 2 hours total
Bake time: 20–25 minutes
Cooling time: 10 minutes
Total time: About 3 hours
Variations
- Orange Cranberry: Add orange zest to the dough or filling for citrus brightness.
- Cream Cheese Cranberry: Spread a thin layer of sweetened cream cheese under the cranberry sauce.
- Nutty Version: Add chopped pecans or walnuts for crunch.
- Spiced Up: Sprinkle cinnamon or nutmeg over the filling layers.
- Jam-Filled: Substitute cranberry sauce with raspberry or strawberry jam.
- Savory Twist: Use a savory filling like herbed cream cheese or caramelized onions.
- Vegan: Use plant-based milk, vegan butter, and a flax egg for an eggless version.
- Mini Stars: Make smaller individual star breads using the same method.
- Glazed Finish: Drizzle with a simple icing made from powdered sugar and milk after baking.
Storage/Reheating
Store cranberry star bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
Refrigerate for up to 4 days if filled with cream cheese or other perishables.
Freeze the baked star (whole or sliced) wrapped tightly for up to 2 months.
Reheat in a 300°F oven for 8–10 minutes or microwave slices for 15–20 seconds.
FAQs
What is star bread?
Star bread is a layered, twisted, pull-apart bread shaped like a star, typically filled with sweet or savory ingredients.
Can I use store-bought cranberry sauce?
Yes, canned or jarred cranberry sauce works perfectly. Make sure it’s not too runny.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, after the first rise, refrigerate the dough overnight. Bring to room temperature before rolling and shaping.
Why didn’t my bread rise well?
Check that your yeast is fresh and the dough had enough time and warmth to rise. Cold kitchens may slow fermentation.
Can I make this without eggs?
Yes, substitute with a flax egg or egg replacer, though texture may be slightly different.
What if I don’t have a round cutter for the center?
Use a drinking glass or eyeball it—it’s just a guide for even twisting.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes, but bake each star on a separate sheet to allow even baking.
How do I get clean layers?
Use just enough filling to flavor but not so much that it seeps out. Roll dough evenly and chill the cranberry sauce if it’s too runny.
What flour is best for this bread?
All-purpose flour works well for a soft texture. Bread flour gives a bit more chew.
Do I have to use cranberry?
No—feel free to swap in your favorite jam, fruit compote, or chocolate spread.
Conclusion
Cranberry star bread is the perfect blend of beauty and flavor—a stunning centerpiece that’s surprisingly simple to make. With its soft layers, sweet-tart filling, and festive flair, it’s sure to impress family and friends at any gathering. Whether for a holiday breakfast or cozy winter treat, this pull-apart bread is a delicious way to brighten your table.
PrintCranberry Star Bread
Cranberry star bread is a stunning pull-apart pastry filled with sweet-tart cranberry sauce, twisted into a festive star shape. With soft, enriched dough and a glossy golden crust, it’s perfect for holiday breakfasts or entertaining guests.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours
- Yield: 1 star bread (8–12 servings)
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup warm milk (about 110°F)
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup cranberry sauce (homemade or store-bought)
- Optional: 1 tsp orange zest
- Optional: 1/4 cup chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts)
- Egg wash (1 egg + 1 tbsp water)
- Powdered sugar, for dusting (optional)
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine warm milk, a pinch of sugar, and yeast. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
- In a large bowl or stand mixer, mix flour, remaining sugar, and salt. Add the yeast mixture, eggs, and softened butter. Knead for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
- Punch down the dough and divide into 4 equal parts. Roll each into a 10-inch circle.
- Place one circle on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Spread a thin layer of cranberry sauce (plus optional zest or nuts) over the surface, leaving a ½-inch border. Repeat with the next two circles. Top with the final circle (no filling on top).
- Place a small round cutter or glass in the center. Cut the dough into 16 equal strips from the edge of the center circle outward.
- Twist two adjacent strips away from each other twice and pinch ends together to form a point. Repeat around the circle to create 8 star points.
- Cover and let rise for 30–45 minutes, until puffy.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Brush the star with egg wash.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Cool for 10 minutes. Dust with powdered sugar if desired and serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- Use chilled cranberry sauce to avoid excessive leaking during shaping.
- Don’t overfill layers or it may be hard to twist cleanly.
- You can prepare the dough a day ahead and refrigerate after the first rise.
- This bread also works with jam, Nutella, or cinnamon sugar.
- Leftovers make great French toast or bread pudding.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/10 of loaf)
- Calories: 240
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 170mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
