Almond Star Bread Recipe

Introduction

The Almond Star Bread is a stunningly beautiful and delicious treat perfect for breakfast or a special brunch. With soft, tender dough layered with sweet almond filling and topped with crunchy slivered almonds, it’s a delightful centerpiece that’s easier to make than it looks.

Ingredients

• 1 cup warm milk
• 1 tablespoon instant dry yeast
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons softened salted butter
• 1 egg
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup almond paste (softened)
• 1/4 cup softened butter
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 large egg white
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1/2 cup slivered almonds

Instructions

1. Step 1: In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine warm milk, yeast, sugar, salt, softened butter, and the egg. Add the flour. Using a dough hook, mix on low speed until the flour begins to incorporate.
2. Step 2: Increase the mixer speed to medium and continue kneading. Add flour gradually until the dough pulls away from the sides and is soft and tacky but not sticky to the touch.
3. Step 3: Transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl, cover with a towel, and let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
4. Step 4: Divide the risen dough into 4 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a circle roughly the size of your baking sheet.
5. Step 5: Place one dough circle on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Spread one third of the almond filling (combine almond paste, softened butter, and brown sugar) evenly over it, leaving a 1/4 inch border.
6. Step 6: Repeat layering with the next two dough circles and almond filling. Place the fourth dough circle plain on top.
7. Step 7: Mark the center using a small bowl or by eye, then cut the dough into 16 equal strips from the edge of the center circle outwards, leaving the middle intact.
8. Step 8: Twist every two adjacent strips in opposite directions 2-3 times, then pinch the ends to seal. Continue until all strips form a large star shape.
9. Step 9: Whisk together the egg white and water to make an egg wash. Brush it over the dough’s surface and sprinkle with slivered almonds.
10. Step 10: Bake the bread immediately at 350°F (175°C) for 20-25 minutes, until golden brown. Let cool before serving plain, frosted, or dusted with powdered sugar.

Tips & Variations

• For a more intense almond flavor, add a splash of almond extract to the filling mixture.
• If you don’t have almond paste, finely chopped blanched almonds mixed with sugar and a bit of butter can be used as a substitute.
• Brush the star bread with melted butter after baking for extra richness.
• Instead of slivered almonds, try toasted chopped pistachios for a colorful twist.

Storage

Store leftover Almond Star Bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To keep it longer, wrap tightly and freeze for up to 1 month. Reheat slices gently in a low oven or toaster oven to regain freshness and crunch.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the dough by hand without a stand mixer?

Yes, you can mix and knead the dough by hand. It will take about 10 minutes of kneading until the dough is smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky but not sticky.

Do I need to let the star bread rise after shaping?

No additional rising is needed after shaping. The bread goes straight into the oven once assembled and brushed with egg wash.

Almond Star Bread Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.4 from 50 reviews

This Almond Star Bread is a beautifully layered, twisted bread featuring a rich almond paste filling and a crunchy slivered almond topping. Perfect as a festive centerpiece or a delightful treat, this soft and buttery bread combines the sweetness of almond and brown sugar with a light, fluffy texture, baked to golden perfection.

• Author: Lila
• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
• Yield: 1 large star bread (serves 8-10) 1x
• Category: Bread
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: European

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dough

• 1 cup warm milk
• 1 tablespoon instant dry yeast
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons softened salted butter
• 1 egg
• 3 cups all-purpose flour

Almond Filling

• 1/2 cup almond paste (softened)
• 1/4 cup softened butter
• 1/4 cup brown sugar

Topping

• 1 large egg white
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1/2 cup slivered almonds

Instructions

1. Prepare Dough: In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine warm milk, instant dry yeast, granulated sugar, salt, softened salted butter, and whole egg. Mix briefly to combine.
2. Add Flour and Knead: Gradually add all-purpose flour while mixing with a dough hook on low speed. Once flour starts incorporating, increase to medium speed, adding more flour as needed until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl and feels soft and tacky but not sticky to the hands.
3. 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, approximately 1 hour.
4. Divide and Roll Dough: Punch down the risen dough and divide it into 4 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a large circle roughly the size of your baking sheet.
5. Layer and Fill: Place one dough circle onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Spread one-third of the almond filling mixture (almond paste, softened butter, and brown sugar combined) evenly, leaving a 1/4 inch border around the edge. Repeat layering with the second and third circles with filling. Place the fourth circle on top plain.
6. Cut and Twist: Mark the center of the layered dough stack using a small bowl or by eye, then cut 16 equal strips from the edge toward the center circle, leaving the small center intact. Take two adjacent strips, twist them in opposite directions 2-3 times, and pinch the ends together to seal. Repeat this twisting with all strips to form a star shape.
7. Apply Egg Wash and Add Topping: In a small bowl, whisk together the egg white and water. Brush the surface of the shaped bread with the egg wash. Sprinkle slivered almonds evenly over the top for a crunchy finishing touch.
8. Bake: Bake immediately in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 20-25 minutes, until golden brown. No additional rising time is needed before baking.
9. Cool and Serve: Allow the bread to cool completely on a wire rack. Serve plain, dusted with powdered sugar, or frosted as desired.

Notes

• Ensure the milk is warm but not hot to activate the yeast properly without killing it.
• Adding flour should be done gradually; the dough should be soft and tacky but not overly sticky.
• The almond filling can be varied by adding a few drops of almond extract for more intense flavor.
• Use room temperature eggs and butter to ensure better dough incorporation.
• The bread freezes well once baked; thaw at room temperature before serving.

Keywords: almond star bread, twisted bread, almond paste bread, sweet bread recipe, festive bread