Imagine pulling a breathtaking, golden-brown star-shaped bread out of the oven that not only looks like a work of art but fills your kitchen with the most incredible aroma of tangy cranberries and vibrant orange. This Cranberry Orange Star Bread isn't just a recipe—it's a culinary masterpiece that transforms ordinary baking into an extraordinary experience that will have everyone asking, "How did you make that?"
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 45 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 1 loaf
Ingredients
- 1 package (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup warm milk
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup fresh cranberries, chopped
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 1/4 cup orange juice
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the warm milk and active dry yeast. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy. This indicates that the yeast is active.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, melted unsalted butter, salt, and the large egg until well combined.
- Add the frothy yeast mixture to the sugar and butter mixture, stirring gently to combine.
- Gradually add the all-purpose flour to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms. You may need to adjust the flour amount slightly depending on humidity and the consistency of the dough.
- Once the dough comes together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead it for about 5-7 minutes until it is smooth and elastic.
- Place the kneaded dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.
- While the dough is rising, prepare the filling by mixing the chopped fresh cranberries, orange zest, and orange juice in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release the air. Divide the dough into four equal pieces.
- Roll out the first piece of dough into a circle about 12 inches in diameter on a lightly floured surface.
- Spread a quarter of the cranberry-orange filling evenly over the surface of the dough circle.
- Roll out the second piece of dough and place it on top of the first filled circle. Repeat the process of spreading the filling and layering the dough until all four pieces are stacked with filling in between.
- After stacking, roll out the final piece of dough and place it on top without any filling.
- Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut the stacked dough into 16 equal wedges, leaving the center intact (do not cut all the way through).
- Take two adjacent wedges and twist them away from each other, then pinch the ends together to form a point. Repeat this process for all the wedges around the circle to create a star shape.
- Cover the shaped star bread with a towel and let it rise for an additional 20-30 minutes until slightly puffed.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) while the dough is rising.
- Once the dough has risen, bake it in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
- Remove the star bread from the oven and allow it to cool on a wire rack for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your delicious Cranberry Orange Star Bread!
Tips
- Temperature Matters: Ensure your milk is warm (not hot) when activating the yeast to prevent killing the yeast cultures.
- Kneading Technique: Take your time kneading the dough to develop proper gluten structure, which ensures a light and airy texture.
- Rising Environment: Place your dough in a draft-free, warm spot like near a preheating oven or inside a turned-off oven with the light on.
- Filling Distribution: Spread the cranberry-orange filling evenly to guarantee consistent flavor in every bite.
- Precise Cutting: When creating the star shape, use a sharp knife and be careful not to cut through the center completely.
- Visual Cue: Look for a golden-brown color as your doneness indicator, which signals perfect baking.
- Cooling is Crucial: Allow the bread to cool slightly before serving to let the structure set and prevent burning your mouth.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 250kcal
Carbohydrates: 42g
Protein: 5g
Fat: 7g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Cholesterol: 35mg
