Cranberry Star Bread Recipe

Introduction

The Cranberry Star Bread is a festive and visually stunning treat that combines a soft, buttery dough with a flavorful cranberry and spice filling. Perfect for holiday gatherings or cozy breakfasts, this bread delights with its beautiful star shape and zesty citrus notes.

Ingredients

• 1 package instant dry yeast
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup whole milk, warmed to 110°F
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature, cut into tablespoons
• 3 large eggs, at room temperature
• 3 1/2 to 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon orange zest
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 1/2 cups cranberries, fresh or frozen
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup orange juice
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/3 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 large egg, at room temperature (for egg wash)
• 1 teaspoon water (for egg wash)
• Confectioners sugar, for dusting

Instructions

1. Step 1: In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine the yeast, granulated sugar, and warm milk. Let it sit for 2 to 5 minutes until the yeast starts to bubble, indicating it’s active.
2. Step 2: Add the butter and eggs to the mixture. Using the paddle attachment on medium speed, mix until everything is well combined.
3. Step 3: Add 3 1/2 cups of flour, orange zest, and salt. Mix the ingredients together until combined.
4. Step 4: Switch to the dough hook attachment and knead the dough for 5 minutes. If the dough feels sticky and won’t form a ball, gradually add the remaining flour until it reaches the right consistency. The dough should be stretchy and not tear easily when pulled thin.
5. Step 5: Knead the dough for an additional 5 minutes. If kneading by hand, this may take about 15 minutes to develop proper gluten structure.
6. Step 6: Shape the dough into a smooth ball, place it in a bowl, and cover with a hand towel. Leave it in a warm spot to rise and double in size, about 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
7. Step 7: While the dough is rising, prepare the cranberry filling. In a medium saucepan, combine the cranberries, granulated sugar, orange juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, ground ginger, and ground cloves. Cook over medium heat until the cranberries have softened and the mixture thickens slightly, about 10 minutes. Set aside to cool.

Tips & Variations

• Use fresh cranberries for a bright tart flavor or frozen if fresh are unavailable; just thaw them before cooking.
• For an extra citrus punch, add a tablespoon of fresh orange juice to the dough.
• Swap out cranberries for other berries like blueberries or raspberries for a twist on the filling.
• If you don’t have an electric mixer, the dough can be kneaded entirely by hand—just be prepared for a bit more arm work.

Storage

Store the Cranberry Star Bread in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in plastic wrap at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, wrap it well and freeze for up to 1 month. To reheat, warm slices briefly in a toaster oven or microwave until soft and fragrant. Dust with confectioners sugar just before serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough the night before and refrigerate it overnight. Allow it to come to room temperature and complete its rise before shaping and baking.

What can I substitute for whole milk?

You can use 2% or even skim milk, though whole milk yields a richer dough. For a dairy-free option, try unsweetened almond or oat milk warmed to the appropriate temperature.

Cranberry Star Bread Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 117 reviews

This Cranberry Star Bread is a festive and visually stunning sweet bread perfect for holiday breakfasts or brunches. It features a soft, enriched dough bursting with bright orange zest and a spiced cranberry filling that creates a beautiful star shape when sliced. Finished with an egg wash for a glossy crust and a dusting of confectioners sugar, this bread is both flavorful and impressive.

• Author: Hannah
• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
• Yield: 12 servings 1x
• Category: Bread
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dough

• 1 package instant dry yeast
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup whole milk (warmed to 110°F)
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter (at room temperature, cut into tablespoons)
• 3 large eggs (at room temperature)
• 3 1/2 to 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon orange zest
• 1 teaspoon salt

Filling

• 2 1/2 cups cranberries (fresh or frozen)
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup orange juice
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/3 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves

Egg Wash

• 1 large egg (at room temperature)
• 1 teaspoon water

For Serving

• Confectioners sugar (for dusting)

Instructions

1. Activate yeast: Combine the instant dry yeast, granulated sugar, and warm whole milk (110°F) in the bowl of an electric mixer. Let the mixture sit for 2 to 5 minutes until the yeast begins to bubble, indicating it is active.
2. Add butter and eggs: Add the room-temperature unsalted butter and eggs to the yeast mixture. Using the paddle attachment, mix on medium speed until the mixture is uniform and combined.
3. Incorporate flour and flavorings: Add 3 ½ cups of all-purpose flour, orange zest, and salt to the mixture and stir until combined thoroughly.
4. Knead the dough: Switch to the dough hook attachment and knead for 5 minutes. If the dough is sticky and does not form a ball, add the remaining flour gradually until the dough stretches thin without tearing. Knead an additional 5 minutes or 15 minutes if kneading by hand for a smooth, elastic dough.
5. First rise: Shape the dough into a smooth ball and place it in a greased bowl. Cover with a clean towel and set in a warm location for about 1 to 1 ½ hours until it doubles in size.
6. Prepare filling: While the dough rises, combine cranberries, granulated sugar, orange juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, ground ginger, and ground cloves in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook until cranberries burst and filling thickens slightly. Remove from heat and cool completely.
7. Shape the bread: Once risen, punch down the dough and divide into four equal parts. Roll each piece into a circle of equal size. Place one circle on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Spread a quarter of the cooled cranberry filling evenly over the dough circle, then cover with the next dough circle. Repeat layering until all four dough circles are stacked with filling in between, ending with a dough layer on top.
8. Create the star shape: Mark the center of the stacked dough lightly with a glass. Cut the dough into 16 equal strips from the center to the edges. Take two adjacent strips and twist them away from each other two to three times, then pinch the ends together to form a star point. Repeat with all pairs of strips around the circle.
9. Second rise: Cover the shaped bread loosely with a towel and allow it to rise for 30 to 45 minutes until puffy.
10. Apply egg wash: Beat the egg with water and brush it gently over the star bread for a shiny, golden crust.
11. Bake the bread: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the bread for 30 to 35 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
12. Cool and serve: Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack. Dust with confectioners sugar before serving for an extra festive touch.

Notes

• Use fresh or frozen cranberries for the filling; if using frozen, do not thaw before cooking.
• Ensure all eggs and butter are at room temperature for proper dough consistency.
• Kneading by hand will require more time — about 15 minutes total — to develop gluten properly.
• Allow the filling to cool completely before assembling the bread to prevent dough from becoming soggy.
• The star bread can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage.
• For best results, use a stand mixer with dough hook for easier kneading.
• The warming of milk should be carefully monitored to not exceed 110°F to avoid killing the yeast.

Keywords: cranberry bread, star bread, holiday bread, sweet bread, orange zest bread, festive bread