Orange Star Bread Recipe
Introduction
Orange Star Bread is a beautiful and flavorful braided bread infused with bright citrus notes. Its soft, tender dough layered with a sweet orange filling makes it a perfect centerpiece for breakfast or dessert. This visually stunning bread is easier to make than it looks and sure to impress your guests.
Ingredients
- 1 cup warm milk
- 1 teaspoon orange extract
- 1 tablespoon instant dry yeast
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons salted butter (softened)
- 1 egg
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup salted butter (softened)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 to 2 tablespoons water or milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon orange zest (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Step 1: In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine warm milk, orange extract, yeast, sugar, salt, softened butter, and egg. Add the flour. Attach a dough hook and mix on low speed until the flour begins to incorporate.
- Step 2: Increase the mixer speed to medium and continue kneading, adding more flour as needed until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl. The dough should be soft and slightly tacky but not sticky.
- Step 3: Transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl, cover with a towel, and let it rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
- Step 4: In a small bowl, combine the 1/4 cup softened butter, 1/2 cup sugar, and 1 tablespoon orange zest to make the orange filling. Set aside.
- Step 5: Punch down the risen dough and divide it into four equal pieces. Roll each piece into a large circle approximately the width of your baking sheet.
- Step 6: Place one dough circle on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Spread one-third of the orange filling evenly over the dough, leaving a 1/4-inch border around the edge. Repeat layering with the next two dough circles and orange filling, leaving the last circle plain on top.
- Step 7: Using a small 2-inch bowl as a guide, mark the center of the layered dough stack. Cut 16 evenly spaced strips from the edge toward the center, leaving the center uncut.
- Step 8: Twist two adjacent strips in opposite directions 1-2 times and pinch the ends to seal. Continue twisting all pairs, creating a star shape.
- Step 9: Bake the star bread immediately at 350°F (175°C) for 20-25 minutes until golden brown. Allow to cool completely on a wire rack.
- Step 10: To make the glaze, whisk powdered sugar with 1 tablespoon water or milk and vanilla extract in a small bowl. Add more liquid if needed to reach a drizzling consistency. Drizzle over the cooled bread and sprinkle with extra orange zest if desired.
Tips & Variations
- Use fresh orange zest for the most vibrant flavor and aroma in the filling and glaze.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute butter with coconut oil and use a plant-based milk.
- Try adding a handful of chopped nuts or dried cranberries to the filling for extra texture and flavor.
- If you don’t have orange extract, substitute with lemon or almond extract for a different but delicious twist.
Storage
Store the Orange Star Bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, wrap tightly and freeze for up to 1 month. Reheat thawed bread in a 350°F oven for 5-10 minutes to restore freshness. The glaze is best applied just before serving to maintain its texture.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I make the dough by hand instead of using a stand mixer?
Absolutely! Mix and knead the dough by hand on a lightly floured surface for about 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. It may take a bit more effort but works just as well.
Is it necessary to let the final shaped bread rise before baking?
No, this recipe calls for baking the shaped bread immediately after twisting without a second rise. This helps keep the star shape defined and the bread tender.
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Orange Star Bread Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Yield: 1 large star bread (serves 8-10) 1x
Description
This delightful Orange Star Bread recipe combines a soft, tender yeast dough infused with orange extract and a vibrant orange butter-sugar filling. The dough is carefully layered and twisted into a beautiful star shape, baked to golden perfection, and optionally topped with a sweet vanilla-orange glaze, making it a stunning centerpiece dessert or breakfast bread.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough Ingredients
- 1 cup warm milk
- 1 teaspoon orange extract
- 1 tablespoon instant dry yeast
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons salted butter (softened)
- 1 egg
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
Orange Filling
- 1/4 cup salted butter (softened)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
Glaze (Optional)
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 to 2 tablespoons water or milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon orange zest (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine warm milk, orange extract, instant dry yeast, granulated sugar, salt, softened butter, and egg. Mix briefly to combine, then gradually add the flour while using the dough hook attachment on low speed.
- Knead the Dough: Once the flour begins to incorporate, increase the mixer speed to medium. Continue adding flour as needed so the dough pulls away from the bowl’s sides but remains soft and tacky, not sticky to the touch. Adjust flour quantity based on dough feel.
- First Rise: Transfer the dough to a lightly greased mixing bowl, cover with a towel, and let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
- Prepare Orange Filling: In a small mixing bowl, combine softened butter, granulated sugar, and orange zest until well mixed. Set aside.
- Shape the Dough: After rising, divide the dough into four equal parts. Roll each piece into large circles approximately the width of your baking sheet.
- Layer the Dough and Filling: Lay the first dough circle on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Spread one-third of the orange filling over the dough, leaving a 1/4 inch border. Repeat layering with the next two circles and filling, leaving the final fourth dough circle plain on top.
- Cut and Twist: Mark the center of the stacked dough circles using a small 2-inch bowl or by estimation. Cut the dough into 16 equal strips starting from the edge of the center circle. Take two adjacent strips and twist them in opposite directions 1–2 times, then pinch their ends together to seal. Repeat with all pairs to form a large star shape.
- Bake: Without additional rising, bake the shaped bread in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through. Allow the bread to cool completely before glazing or serving.
- Make the Glaze (Optional): In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon water or milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Add more liquid as necessary to achieve a thin, drizzleable consistency.
- Glaze and Garnish: Drizzle the glaze over the cooled star bread and optionally sprinkle with additional orange zest for a burst of flavor and color. Serve and enjoy.
Notes
- Ensure the milk used is warm (about 110°F/43°C) to activate the yeast properly, but not too hot to kill the yeast.
- The amount of flour needed may vary slightly based on humidity and flour type; rely on dough texture rather than exact quantities.
- Do not let the shaped star bread rise again before baking to maintain the defined shape and layers.
- The glaze is optional but adds lovely sweetness and moisture; powdered sugar dusting is an alternative garnish.
- For stronger orange flavor, consider adding extra orange zest or a few drops of orange extract in the glaze.
- Store leftovers covered at room temperature for up to 2 days or freeze for longer storage.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: orange star bread, yeast bread, orange butter filling, star shaped bread, breakfast bread, orange glaze, holiday bread
