Description
This festive Sourdough Discard Star Bread transforms leftover starter into a soft, golden centerpiece with buttery cinnamon swirls and a hint of sourdough tang. Perfect for Christmas brunches, dessert tables, or edible gifts.
Ingredients
1 cup whole milk (warmed to 100–110°F)
¼ cup granulated sugar
2¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
1 egg
½ cup sourdough discard
3½ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon kosher salt
4 tablespoons butter (room temperature)
Filling:
4 tablespoons butter (room temperature)
½ cup dark brown sugar
2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons flour or cornstarch (optional)
Egg wash:
1 egg
2 tablespoons water or milk/cream
Topping:
¼ cup powdered sugar
Instructions
1. Warm milk and mix with sugar and yeast; let sit until foamy.
2. Whisk in sourdough discard and egg.
3. Add flour, butter, and salt; knead with dough hook until soft and elastic, adding extra flour if too sticky.
4. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 1 hour.
5. Prepare filling by mixing butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and optional flour or cornstarch until smooth.
6. Divide dough into three equal balls.
7. Roll one into a 10-inch circle on parchment, spread half the filling.
8. Repeat with second ball, layer over first, spread remaining filling.
9. Add final dough layer on top.
10. Place a small jar in the center, cut dough into 16 even strips from center outward.
11. Twist pairs of strips away from each other 4–5 times and pinch ends to form star points.
12. Cover and let rise about 1 hour until puffy.
13. Preheat oven to 350°F during the final rise.
14. Brush with egg wash and bake 25–30 minutes until golden.
15. Cool slightly and dust with powdered sugar before serving.
Notes
Assemble bread and refrigerate overnight after the second rise; bring to room temperature before baking.
Dough may be divided into six smaller portions for mini stars (5–6 inches each).
Some filling may leak during rising, especially with an overnight chill — this is normal and won’t affect the final result.
Using a thickener in the filling may reduce leakage.
Build bread directly on parchment to avoid transferring after shaping.
Add flavor variations like citrus zest, extracts, or chocolate spread.
- Prep Time: 2 hours
- Cook Time: 25–30 minutes
- Category: Easy & Decadent Christmas Desserts
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 11g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 45mg