Almond Star Bread Recipe

Introduction

The Almond Star Bread is a beautiful and delicious treat perfect for sharing with family and friends. This soft, layered bread filled with a sweet almond paste is both impressive in appearance and delightful in flavor. It’s a wonderful centerpiece for brunch or a festive occasion.

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup warm water (110-115°F)
• 1 package active dry yeast
• 3/4 cup warm milk (110-115°F)
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 3 1/4 to 3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup ground almonds
• 1/2 cup icing sugar
• 2 tbsp softened butter (for filling)
• 1/2 tsp almond extract
• 1 large egg white, beaten
• Melted butter for brushing on the baked bread
• Sugar for sprinkling on top (optional)

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm water and let stand for about 5 minutes until foamy.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, combine warm milk, softened butter, sugar, egg, and salt. Add the yeast mixture and 3 cups of flour. Stir with a wooden spoon until incorporated.
3. Step 3: Gradually add remaining flour just until the dough cleans the sides of the bowl and gathers in the center, forming a soft dough.
4. Step 4: Turn dough onto a floured surface and knead for 6-8 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place in a bowl, cover with a clean towel, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour.
5. Step 5: Punch down the dough and divide into 4 equal portions. Roll one portion into an 11-inch circle and place on a parchment-lined 14-inch pizza pan.
6. Step 6: Spread 1/3 of the almond filling over the circle, leaving a 1-inch border. Repeat layering: dough circle, almond filling, dough circle, almond filling, then finish with a plain dough circle on top. Even edges by gently rolling with a rolling pin.
7. Step 7: Place a 2 1/2 inch cutter in the center without pressing. Cut 16 equal strips from the cutter to the edge. Remove the cutter.
8. Step 8: Grab two adjacent strips, twist them twice away from each other, and pinch the ends together to form points of the star. Repeat for all strips.
9. Step 9: Cover loosely with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel and let rise for 30 minutes until puffy.
10. Step 10: Preheat oven to 375°F. Bake the bread for 18-22 minutes until lightly golden on top.
11. Step 11: Brush the warm bread with melted butter and sprinkle with sugar if desired before serving.
12. To make the almond filling: Combine ground almonds, icing sugar, and softened butter in a mixer bowl. Beat on medium speed until combined. Add almond extract and beaten egg white, then mix well. Store in the fridge until ready to use; it can be made up to two days ahead.

Tips & Variations

• For a richer flavor, substitute half of the milk with cream or use browned butter in the dough.
• If you don’t have almond extract, vanilla extract can be used as a substitute.
• Ensure your water and milk are at the right temperature (110-115°F) to activate yeast without killing it.
• Use a pizza cutter or sharp knife to make clean, even cuts for easier twisting.
• Try sprinkling sliced almonds on top before baking for extra texture and almond flavor.

Storage

Store the Almond Star Bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, wrap it tightly and freeze for up to 1 month. To reheat, warm gently in the oven at 300°F for 10-15 minutes to restore freshness and crispness.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?

Yes, you can substitute instant yeast, but reduce the amount slightly and add it directly to the flour instead of dissolving it in water.

Can I prepare the dough or almond filling in advance?

Absolutely. The almond filling can be made up to two days ahead and stored in the fridge. The dough can also be prepared in advance and refrigerated overnight to develop more flavor before shaping.

Almond Star Bread Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 69 reviews

Almond Star Bread is a beautifully crafted, layered star-shaped bread filled with a rich almond paste. Soft, buttery dough circles are stacked and filled with a sweet almond filling, then intricately twisted into a stunning star pattern. Perfect for special occasions or festive breakfasts, this bread combines the comforting flavors of almonds and vanilla with a tender, golden crust.

• Author: Isla
• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
• Yield: 8 servings 1x
• Category: Bread
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: European

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Bread

• 1/4 cup warm water (110–115 F)
• 1 package active dry yeast
• 3/4 cup warm milk (110–115 F)
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 3 and 1/4 cups to 3 and 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

For the Almond Filling

• 1 cup ground almonds
• 1/2 cup icing sugar
• 2 tbsp softened butter
• 1/2 tsp almond extract
• 1 large egg white, beaten

For Finishing

• Melted butter, for brushing on the baked bread
• Sugar, for sprinkling on top

Instructions

1. Activate Yeast: In a small bowl, dissolve the active dry yeast in warm water (110-115°F) and let it stand for about 5 minutes, or until foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
2. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the warm milk, softened butter, sugar, egg, and salt. Add the yeast mixture to this bowl and stir together.
3. Add Flour and Form Dough: Stir in 3 cups of the all-purpose flour with a wooden spoon until fully incorporated. Gradually add more flour as needed until the dough cleans the sides of the bowl and gathers in the center, forming a soft dough.
4. Knead Dough: Transfer the dough onto a floured surface and knead for 6-8 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.
5. First Rise: Place the kneaded dough in a bowl, cover it with a clean towel, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
6. Prepare Almond Filling: While the dough rises, combine ground almonds, icing sugar, and softened butter in a stand mixer bowl or large mixing bowl. Beat on medium speed until combined. Add almond extract and beaten egg white, and mix until smooth. Store in the fridge until ready to use.
7. Divide Dough and Roll Circles: Punch down the risen dough and divide it into 4 equal portions. On a floured surface, roll one portion into an 11-inch circle. Place it on a 14-inch parchment-lined pizza pan.
8. Layer and Fill: Spread one-third of the almond filling evenly over the first circle, leaving a 1-inch border around edges. Repeat with the second and third dough portions, each topped with almond filling. Finish with the last dough circle on top without filling. Even the edges lightly with the rolling pin.
9. Cut and Twist: Place a 2 and 1/2 inch cutter at the center of the stacked circles without pressing down. Cut 16 equal strips from the cutter to the edge of the bread. Remove the cutter. Grasp two adjacent strips, twist them twice away from each other, and pinch the ends together to form the star points.
10. Second Rise: Loosely cover the shaped star bread with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel. Let it rise for about 30 minutes until puffy.
11. Bake: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the bread for 18-22 minutes, or until the surface turns lightly golden.
12. Finish: Remove the bread from the oven and immediately brush with melted butter. Sprinkle with sugar if desired for extra sweetness and a sparkly finish.

Notes

• Preparation time does not include rising times.
• Dough recipe adapted from Taste of Home.
• The almond filling can be made up to two days in advance and stored in the refrigerator.
• Use a sharp cutter and a gentle hand when twisting the dough strips to maintain the star shape.

Keywords: Almond star bread, almond filling bread, star-shaped bread, festive bread, layered bread recipe