Looking for a way to add some pizzazz to your bread-making game? Look no further than Sourdough Star Bread! This stunning and delicious creation is sure to impress anyone who lays eyes on it (and especially those who get to taste it).
With its intricate design and satisfying flavor, this bread is truly out of this world. So, why settle for plain old loaves when you can make something that’s both beautiful and delicious? Get ready to become the star of your next dinner party with sourdough star bread!
If you haven’t made my Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls before, give them a try, they’re soooooo good!
Ingredients Needed for This Star Bread Recipe
Are you wondering what the best ingredients are for making star bread? Here is my recipe for making this sweet yeast dough.
- Water is the essential liquid that is used in countless recipes, including bread baking. It helps to hydrate the dough and activate the yeast, leading to a perfect rise and texture.
- Bubbly Starter is a mixture of flour and water that has been fermented with wild yeast and bacteria. This “starter” is what gives sourdough bread its distinctive tangy flavor and chewy texture.
- Sea Salt is a natural salt that is harvested from evaporated seawater. It adds flavor to the bread while also helping to regulate fermentation and strengthen the gluten structure. Find my favorite salt HERE and use code LAURA15 for a discount.
- Honey is a sweetener that is often used in bread baking to add depth of flavor and moisture. It also acts as food for the yeast, helping it to grow and thrive.
- Avocado Oil is a healthy oil that is rich in monounsaturated fats, vitamins, and minerals. It can be used in bread baking to add richness and moisture to the dough.
- Eggs are a protein-rich ingredient that adds structure and richness to baked goods. In sourdough star bread, eggs help create a tender crumb while also adding a lovely golden color.
- The main ingredient in bread baking, flour provides structure to the dough through its gluten content.
- You will also need a thin coat of the beaten egg to make the egg wash.
A lot of bread recipes use these ingredients to make a soft dough. Using these ingredients, you’re going to be able to make a bread dough that will make Christmas Star Bread and it’s so delicious!
How to Make Sourdough Sweet Bread
- Combine the water, starter, salt, honey, oil and eggs and mix until well combined. Add the flour to the mixture, a cup at a time, allowing the mixer to incorporate the flour each time.
- Continue adding flour (start watching around 3 1/2 cups for it to be done) until the dough cleans the sides of the mixing bowl. Knead for 10 minutes. The dough should not be sticky, but should be elastic and have stretch to it.
- Take the dough out of the bowl and form it into a ball. Place it in a bowl big enough for the dough to double in size.Cover the bowl and let rise somewhere warm until it is nearly double. If doing a long ferment, let rise and then refrigerate for 1-3 days.
- Turn the dough onto the counter. Separate it into 4 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a 10 inch circle.
- In a bowl, combine 1/2 cup coconut sugar with 1 T cinnamon. Lay the first circle out and spread a layer of softened butter over the top. Cover it to the edges with 1/3 of the cinnamon sugar filling. Layer the next dough circle and repeat. You’ll have 4 dough layers and 3 filling layers.
- Using a 3 inch glass or circular object, place it in the center and create an indent.
- With a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut 16 even strips all the way around.
- Take two strips and twist them away from each other, two times, and then press the ends together. The star will have 8 points.
- Cover the star and let rise somewhere warm for 2-3 hours, until soft and risen.
- Preheat the oven to 350°. Beat one egg and brush it lightly over the star. Bake for 20-30 minutes, doing another egg wash halfway through the baking time.
- Let cool slightly and dust with powdered sugar (or frosting).
How to Store Sourdough Star Bread
To store your sourdough star bread, it is important to let it cool completely before wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap or beeswax. You can also place the bread in a paper bag and seal it closed. Store the bread at room temperature for up to 3 days.
If you want to keep it fresh for longer, you can freeze the bread by wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap and then placing it in a freezer-safe bag. Frozen sourdough star bread will keep for up to 2 months. When you are ready to enjoy your bread, simply thaw it at room temperature and reheat in a 250° oven until warmed throughout before serving. This is even delicious cold or room temperature!
Remember that sourdough bread tends to stale more quickly than other types of bread, so be sure to enjoy your delicious creation as soon as possible!
List of Star Bread Fillings
There are many delicious fillings that you can use for your sourdough star bread. Here are some ideas:
- Cinnamon sugar: A classic filling that is perfect for breakfast or brunch.
- Nutella and chopped hazelnuts: For a decadent chocolatey treat.
- Pesto and shredded mozzarella cheese: A savory filling that is perfect for lunch or dinner.
- Apple cinnamon: Sliced apples, brown sugar, and cinnamon make a deliciously sweet filling.
- Spinach and feta cheese: A flavorful vegetarian option that is packed with nutrients.
- Sundried tomatoes, olives, and goat cheese: Another savory option that is bursting with Mediterranean flavors.
- Blueberry cream cheese: Creamy cheese filling mixed with fresh blueberries makes a delightful dessert or breakfast option.
- Nutella: If you’re a fan of Nutella, then that is also something delicious to put inside of the top of the filling-covered circle.
These are just a few ideas to get you started, feel free to experiment with different flavor combinations based on your personal taste preferences!
FAQs for Sourdough Star Bread
Why did my sourdough starter mold?
If your sourdough starter has developed mold, it is likely due to one of two reasons: contamination or neglect.
Contamination can occur if your starter comes into contact with harmful bacteria or spores from the environment. This can happen if you use unclean utensils or containers when feeding your starter, or if you store it in an area that is not properly ventilated.
Neglect can also lead to mold growth in your sourdough starter. If you don’t feed it regularly, the acidity level in the starter can drop too low, which creates a hospitable environment for mold to grow.
To prevent mold growth in your sourdough starter, be sure to keep all utensils and containers clean and sanitize them regularly. Store your starter in a well-ventilated area at room temperature and feed it regularly according to the instructions for your particular recipe.
If you notice any signs of mold growth on your starter, discard it immediately and start over with a fresh batch using these precautions to avoid future contamination or neglect issues.
Can a sourdough starter die?
Yes, a sourdough starter can die if it is not properly taken care of. A sourdough starter is a living organism made up of yeast and bacteria. Like all living things, it needs food and water to survive. If you neglect your sourdough starter for too long or don’t feed it regularly, the yeast and bacteria can die off.
More Sourdough Recipes:
Interested in all things sourdough? Grab my The Sourdough Essentials Digital Cookbook!
Watch me make this recipe here!
Sourdough Star Bread
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup bubbly starter
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup avocado oil
- 2 eggs
- 4-4 1/2 cups flour
- 1 egg for an egg wash
- Softened butter
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Filling:
- 1/2 cup coconut sugar
- 1 T cinnamon
- Other filling ideas: -jam -honey -chopped nuts
Instructions
- Combine the water, starter, salt, honey, oil and eggs and mix until well combined. Add the flour to the mixture, a cup at a time, allowing the mixer to incorporate the flour each time.
- Continue adding flour (start watching around 3 1/2 cups for it to be done) until the dough cleans the sides of the mixing bowl. Knead for 10 minutes. The dough should not be sticky, but should be elastic and have stretch to it.
- Take the dough out of the bowl and form it into a ball. Place it in a bowl big enough for the dough to double in size.Cover the bowl and let rise somewhere warm until it is nearly double. If doing a long ferment, let rise and then refrigerate for 1-3 days.
- Turn the dough onto the counter. Separate it into 4 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a 10 inch circle.
- In a bowl, combine 1/2 cup coconut sugar with 1 T cinnamon.Lay the first circle out and spread a layer of softened butter over the top. Cover it to the edges with 1/3 of the cinnamon sugar filling. Layer the next dough circle and repeat. You’ll have 4 dough layers and 3 filling layers.
- Using a 3 inch glass or circular object, place it in the center and create an indent.
- With a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut 16 even strips all the way around.
- Take two strips and twist them away from each other, two times, and then press the ends together. The star will have 8 points.
- Cover the star and let rise somewhere warm for 2-3 hours, until soft and risen.
- Preheat the oven to 350°. Beat one egg and brush it lightly over the star. Bake for 20-30 minutes, doing another egg wash halfway through the baking time.
- Let cool slightly and dust with powdered sugar (or frosting). Enjoy!