Star Bread

Ingredients 2 teaspoons instant or active dry yeast* 3 Tablespoons granulated sugar 3/4 cup milk 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature 1 large egg 1 egg white

2  1/3 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt ½ Tablespoon rosemary

1 teaspoon basil

1 teaspoon oregano

1 cup Filling of your choice (Please see my recipe for cranberry habanero sauce for a savory appetizer. I’ve seen others use Nutella for a dessert)

Directions

1. Prepare the dough: Add yeast and sugar in the the mixer or a large bowl

2.Preheat oven to 150 degrees Fahrenheit

3.Heat the milk in the microwave until warm, (105-115 degrees). (Caution: higher temps will kill the yeast so it’s important to use a thermometer to check before adding to the yeast)

4.Pour the warm milk into the yeast/sugar mixture and combine gently.

5.Cover with a clean kitchen towel and let it sit for 5-10 minutes. The mixture will be frothy.

6.After resting, add butter, egg, flour, salt, oregano, basil,and rosemary to the yeast mixture. Beat on low for 3 minutes.

7.Dough will be soft. Lightly cover hands with olive oil to prevent the dough sticking to your hands. Use your hands to form dough into a ball. If the dough is too sticky to handle, add 1-3 more Tablespoons of flour.

8.Spray baking pan with cooking spray, pour in dough, and cover with aluminum foil. (Hint, spray the underside of the foil as well to prevent the dough from sticking as it rises.)

9.Turn oven off and place the dough in a warm environment and let it rise until it is doubled in size, around 60-90 minutes.

           (I like to use an oven. Preheat the oven to 150°F, then turn the oven off once it is preheating is done and place covered dough inside and close the door.)

10. Prepare the filling of your choice: line a large baking sheet with parchment paper for the star.

11.Once the dough is done rising, it is time for assembly.

11. Pre heat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit

12. Punch down the dough to release the air

Divide dough into two pieces

13.On a floured surface take one piece and roll out to a 10 inch circle, you can use the top of a pie tin or bowl on top to lay on top of the dough and use a knife to cut out an even circle , use the scraps of the two layers to make the third layer

14. Place parchment paper on the baking sheet, then place the bottom circle of dough on the parchment paper. If it lost its circle shape, use your hands to fix any uneven edges

15. Top with filling, then repeat processes with the remaining layers.

16. Do not cover the top with the filling .

17.Using a sharp knife or a pizza cutter, cut any scraps around the edges to make an even circle.

Place a small round bowl on top of the dough to make an indentation.

18. Now cut strips from the outer edge of this bowl to the edge of the dough. The bowl and/or indentation remind you to not cut all the way to the center.

19. Cut 10 even strips.

20. Using both hands, grab two strips and twist them the opposite direction away from each other, then place the ends together to make a point. Repeat this so by the end you will make 5 points. Now your bread will look like a star.

21. Lightly brush the bread star with egg wash. (Use only egg whites to make the egg wash)

22.Bake for about 25- 30 minutes or until golden brown on top. Check occasionally to make sure edges aren’t burning. If they are turning brown too fast cover edges loosely with aluminum foil

23.When golden brown, remove from the oven and cool for 5 minutes.

Assembly steps