A beautifully baked, golden brown snowflake bread, dusted with coarse sugar, centered on the same wooden cutting board. The intricate cinnamon swirls are clearly visible within the twisted pull-apart sections. It's positioned on marble countertops with soft, natural morning light illuminating the scene. Subtle soft shadows fall gracefully, and fresh herbs are delicately blurred in the background, maintaining a clean, tidy, and warm-toned presentation. The overall feeling is deliciously appealing and inviting.

Snowflake Bread: Easy & Impressive Holiday Centerpiece

ByMaya
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An intricate close-up shot of the snowflake bread dough being twisted into its distinctive star shape on the same wooden cutting board, captured in mid-action. The cinnamon sugar filling is visible between the layers of soft, unbaked dough as the twists are formed. Natural morning light bathes the scene on marble countertops, with gentle soft shadows. Fresh herbs are subtly blurred in the background, creating a warm and authentic kitchen moment that emphasizes the creative process, without any hands or people visible.

Snowflake Bread

There are some recipes that transcend mere ingredients, becoming pure magic in the kitchen, and for me, Snowflake Bread is absolutely one of them. I vividly remember its intricate, star-like pattern making it seem like an impossible culinary feat, a true showstopper, yet the joy is in discovering that such impressive creations are surprisingly approachable.

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That initial intimidation quickly melts away once you dive into the delightful journey of shaping and swirling this cinnamon-swirled masterpiece. Creating this gorgeous bread is far simpler and more enjoyable than its stunning appearance suggests, offering a deeply satisfying, hands-on experience that fills your home with warmth and wonder, even if you typically lean towards more straightforward bakes like a no-knead whole wheat bread recipe.

The result is a tender, sweet, and utterly irresistible loaf that goes beyond just satisfying a craving. This stunning Snowflake Bread is a genuine conversation starter, a cozy treat perfect for festive mornings, or a delightful dessert that truly makes any gathering feel a little more special—it’s a holiday tradition waiting to happen in your kitchen.

Snowflake Bread: Easy & Impressive Holiday Centerpiece
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Snowflake Bread: Easy & Impressive Holiday Centerpiece

Recipe by MayaCourse: BreadsCuisine: EuropeanDifficulty: Medium
Servings

4

servings
Prep time

30

minutes
Cooking time

40

minutes
Calories

300

kcal

A visually stunning, soft, and sweet pull-apart bread, beautifully twisted into a snowflake design with a delightful cinnamon sugar filling, perfect for festive occasions.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup warm milk (105-115°F)

  • 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 standard packet)

  • ½ cup granulated sugar, divided

  • ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted and cooled, plus more for greasing

  • 1 large egg

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

  • ½ teaspoon salt

  • 3 ½ – 4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting

  • 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon

  • 2 tablespoons coarse sugar (for topping)

Directions

  • In a large bowl, combine warm milk and yeast. Stir in 1 tablespoon of the granulated sugar and let sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
  • Add remaining granulated sugar, melted butter, egg, vanilla extract, and salt to the yeast mixture. Whisk until well combined.
  • Gradually add the flour, 1 cup at a time, mixing with a wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes, until smooth and elastic. Add more flour sparingly if dough is too sticky.
  • Lightly grease a clean bowl with butter. Place the dough in the bowl, turning once to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
  • While dough rises, prepare the filling: In a small bowl, combine 2 tablespoons melted butter, ground cinnamon, and the remaining granulated sugar.
  • Once dough has risen, punch it down and divide into 4 equal pieces. On a lightly floured surface, roll one piece into a 10-inch circle. Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  • Spread one-third of the cinnamon filling evenly over the dough circle, leaving a small border. Roll out a second dough piece into a 10-inch circle and place it on top of the first, pressing gently.
  • Repeat with the remaining filling and dough layers, ending with the fourth dough circle on top. Do not spread filling on the very top layer.
  • Place a 2-inch round cookie cutter (or a small glass) in the center of the stacked dough, pressing lightly to make an indentation but not cutting through.
  • Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut the dough from the edge of the center circle outwards into 16 even strips. Do not cut through the center circle.
  • Take two adjacent strips and twist each strip twice away from each other. Pinch the ends together to form a point. Repeat with the remaining strips, forming 8 twisted points.
  • Cover the snowflake bread loosely with plastic wrap and let rise again for 30 minutes, or until slightly puffy.
  • Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through. Sprinkle with coarse sugar immediately after removing from oven. Let cool slightly before serving warm.

Notes

    • The Warmth Factor: For a perfectly fluffy dough, ensure your milk is warm (not hot!) to activate the yeast, and let your dough rise in a cozy, draft-free spot. A slightly warmed oven (turned off!) or a sunny windowsill works wonders.
    • Twist & Shout: Don’t be afraid to really twist those dough strips! The more twists you get, the more pronounced your snowflake design will be. A little messy is okay; it’s rustic charm, after all!
    • Golden Glow: Keep an eye on your bread as it bakes. If it’s browning too quickly, loosely tent it with foil to prevent over-browning while the center finishes cooking. This ensures a beautiful golden crust without sacrificing tenderness.

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