Christmas Star Bread: 12 Twisted Holiday Loaves That Look Bakery Hard but Start With Simple Dough

Christmas star bread is the holiday bake that makes everyone stop and stare. Layers of soft dough and filling are cut and twisted into a giant golden snowflake, and each point pulls away into its own sweet or savory bite. It is no surprise that star bread videos keep going around every December, with one passing 10.1 million views and another just over 9 million. The secret is that it looks bakery hard but starts with one simple yeast dough (see this step-by-step cinnamon star bread method), four thin circles and a few easy cuts. This gallery shares the classic chocolate hazelnut star, cozy cinnamon and gingerbread versions, fruity jam stars and savory garlic and pizza stars for parties, plus a crescent dough shortcut. Christmas morning will never look the same. Flour the counter..

Chocolate Hazelnut Christmas Star Bread

This is the version that made star bread famous: soft, golden dough layered with chocolate hazelnut spread and twisted into a glossy star. It is the perfect place to start, since the thick spread is easy to work with. The tip: chill the filled stack for 15 minutes before cutting, so the layers firm up and the twists stay neat and defined. Brush with egg wash for a shiny finish. Love holiday breads? See holiday pull-apart bread. Ready to twist..

You will need: Dough: 3 1/4 cups flour, 1/4 cup sugar, 2 1/4 tsp instant yeast, 1 tsp salt, 3/4 cup warm milk, 1/4 cup melted butter, 1 egg. Filling: 3/4 cup chocolate hazelnut spread. 1 egg for brushing, powdered sugar

How to make it: 1. Mix dough, knead 8 minutes and let rise 1 hour. 2. Divide in 4, roll into 10-inch circles and stack with spread between. 3. Set a glass in the center and cut 16 strips to it. 4. Twist pairs of strips away from each other and pinch the ends. 5. Rise 30 minutes, brush with egg and bake at 350 degrees F for 20 to 25 minutes.

Cinnamon Sugar Star Bread

Cinnamon, brown sugar and a little white sugar are all this filling needs. If you love cinnamon rolls, this Christmas star bread is for you. Brown sugar, cinnamon and butter melt between the layers into gooey ribbons, and the twisted points pull apart like a sweet roll. The tip: use very soft butter, not melted, so it spreads evenly without soaking into the dough or leaking out during baking. Drizzle with a simple vanilla glaze while it is still warm. Love cinnamon? See soft, gooey cinnamon rolls. Will this be your Christmas morning star?

You will need: 1 batch soft sweet yeast dough (3 cups flour), 1/3 cup very soft butter, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1 tbsp cinnamon, 1 egg (beaten). Glaze: 1 cup powdered sugar, 2 tbsp milk, 1/2 tsp vanilla

How to make it: 1. Divide risen dough in 4 and roll into 10-inch circles. 2. Spread butter on 3 circles and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar, then stack. 3. Cut 16 strips around a center glass, twist pairs and pinch. 4. Rise 30 minutes, brush with egg and bake at 350 degrees F for 20 to 25 minutes. 5. Drizzle with glaze.

Cranberry Orange Christmas Star Bread

Fresh cranberries and juicy oranges are the start of this one. Tart cranberries and bright orange zest make this Christmas star bread taste as festive as it looks. The ruby jam peeks out from every twist like little holiday ornaments. The tip: use a thick cranberry sauce or jam and spread it thinly, leaving a half-inch border, because too much wet filling makes the layers slide. A dusting of powdered sugar adds snowy sparkle. Love cranberries? See cranberry desserts for the holidays. Will this be on your brunch table?

You will need: 1 batch soft sweet yeast dough (3 cups flour) with 1 tbsp orange zest added, 3/4 cup thick cranberry sauce or jam, 1 egg (beaten), powdered sugar

How to make it: 1. Roll the risen dough into 4 thin circles. 2. Spread cranberry filling on 3 circles and stack. 3. Cut, twist and pinch into a star. 4. Rise 30 minutes and brush with egg. 5. Bake at 350 degrees F for 20 to 25 minutes and dust with powdered sugar.

Raspberry Jam Star Bread

A jar of good raspberry jam, homemade or from the pantry, does almost all the work here. Raspberry jam turns Christmas star bread into a jewel-toned centerpiece with a sweet, tangy flavor. It is one of the easiest fillings since you just open a jar. The tip: stir the jam with a spoon until smooth and spreadable, and choose a seedless jam if you want neat, clean layers. Pair it with a bowl of whipped cream cheese on the side. Love raspberry treats? See raspberry oatmeal bars. Which jam will you try?

You will need: 1 batch soft sweet yeast dough (3 cups flour), 3/4 cup seedless raspberry jam, 1 egg (beaten), 2 tbsp sliced almonds, powdered sugar

How to make it: 1. Roll the risen dough into 4 thin circles. 2. Spread jam on 3 circles and stack. 3. Cut 16 strips, twist pairs and pinch. 4. Rise 30 minutes, brush with egg and sprinkle almonds. 5. Bake at 350 degrees F for 20 to 25 minutes and dust with powdered sugar.

Gingerbread Spice Christmas Star Bread

Warm spices like cinnamon, ginger and cloves set the mood for this loaf. Gingerbread flavor makes this Christmas star bread taste like a holiday cookie in bread form. Molasses, ginger, cinnamon and cloves warm up the filling, and the entire kitchen smells like December. The tip: mix the spices into soft butter and brown sugar to create a paste, which spreads smoothly and keeps the spices from clumping. Drizzle with a cream cheese glaze. Love gingerbread? See gingerbread treats for Christmas. Is this the coziest one?

You will need: 1 batch soft sweet yeast dough (3 cups flour), 1/3 cup soft butter, 1/3 cup brown sugar, 1 tbsp molasses, 2 tsp ginger, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp cloves, 1 egg (beaten), cream cheese glaze

How to make it: 1. Mix butter, brown sugar, molasses and spices into a paste. 2. Roll risen dough into 4 circles, spread paste on 3 and stack. 3. Cut, twist and pinch into a star. 4. Rise 30 minutes, brush with egg and bake at 350 degrees F for 20 to 25 minutes. 5. Drizzle with glaze.

Apple Pie Star Bread

Think of a baked holiday apple with cinnamon and vanilla sauce, then fold those flavors into bread. Apple pie filling layered between soft dough makes a Christmas star bread that tastes like a holiday pie you can pull apart with your fingers. The tip: chop the apples very small and cook them first with butter, sugar and cinnamon until thick, then cool completely, so they do not release liquid into the dough. A little caramel drizzle on top makes it extra special. Love apple desserts? See old-fashioned apple desserts. Will you add caramel?

You will need: 1 batch soft sweet yeast dough (3 cups flour), 2 apples (finely diced), 2 tbsp butter, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1 tsp cornstarch, 1 egg (beaten), caramel sauce

How to make it: 1. Cook apples with butter, sugar, cinnamon and cornstarch until thick, then cool. 2. Roll risen dough into 4 circles and layer with apple filling. 3. Cut, twist and pinch into a star. 4. Rise, brush with egg and bake at 350 degrees F for 22 to 25 minutes. 5. Drizzle with caramel.

Cookie Butter Christmas Star Bread

Crisp spiced holiday cookies like these are what cookie butter is made from. Cookie butter, the creamy spread made from spiced cookies, melts into the dough with a caramel-cinnamon flavor that tastes like Christmas. It is a fun twist on the chocolate version. The tip: warm the cookie butter for 10 seconds in the microwave so it spreads easily without tearing the thin dough. Sprinkle crushed spiced cookies on top for crunch. Love cookie desserts? See cookie butter desserts. Chocolate or cookie butter?

You will need: 1 batch soft sweet yeast dough (3 cups flour), 3/4 cup cookie butter spread, 1 egg (beaten), 1/4 cup crushed spiced cookies

How to make it: 1. Warm cookie butter until spreadable. 2. Roll risen dough into 4 circles and spread on 3, then stack. 3. Cut, twist and pinch into a star. 4. Rise and brush with egg. 5. Bake at 350 degrees F for 20 to 25 minutes and sprinkle crushed cookies.

Pecan Praline Star Bread

A plate of toasted pecans is the heart of this filling. Pecan praline star bread is a Southern-style dream, with a gooey brown sugar and toasted pecan filling. The nuts add crunch and the caramel flavor deepens as it bakes. The tip: chop the pecans finely and toast them first, so they spread evenly and the strips twist cleanly without tearing. Drizzle a little warm praline glaze over the top. Love pecans? See pecan desserts from grandma’s holiday kitchen. Is this the best one yet?

You will need: 1 batch soft sweet yeast dough (3 cups flour), 1/3 cup soft butter, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 3/4 cup finely chopped toasted pecans, 1 egg (beaten). Glaze: 2 tbsp butter, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 2 tbsp cream

How to make it: 1. Roll risen dough into 4 circles. 2. Spread butter, brown sugar and pecans on 3 and stack. 3. Cut, twist and pinch into a star. 4. Rise, brush with egg and bake at 350 degrees F for 20 to 25 minutes. 5. Simmer glaze ingredients 1 minute and drizzle over.

Cream Cheese Danish Christmas Star Bread

Bakery cream cheese Danishes like these inspired this filling. A sweet cream cheese filling with a touch of lemon gives this star the flavor of a bakery Danish. It is rich, tangy and absolutely beautiful on a holiday brunch board. The tip: beat the cream cheese with powdered sugar and an egg yolk until smooth and thick, so it stays in place when you cut and twist. A spoonful of jam at the center makes it even prettier. Love brunch bakes? See Christmas breakfast casseroles. Will you add berries?

You will need: 1 batch soft sweet yeast dough (3 cups flour), 8 oz cream cheese (soft), 1/3 cup powdered sugar, 1 egg yolk, 1 tsp lemon zest, 1 tsp vanilla, 1 egg (beaten for brushing)

How to make it: 1. Beat cream cheese, sugar, yolk, zest and vanilla until smooth. 2. Roll risen dough into 4 circles and spread filling on 3, then stack. 3. Chill 15 minutes, then cut, twist and pinch. 4. Rise 30 minutes and brush with egg. 5. Bake at 350 degrees F for 22 to 25 minutes.

Garlic Herb Butter Star Bread

If you love toasted garlic herb bread like this, the star version will win you over. A savory Christmas star bread is just as stunning and makes a perfect partner for holiday soups, roasts and pasta dinners. Garlic, butter and fresh herbs turn each twist into a golden, fragrant breadstick. The tip: mix the garlic butter with a little grated cheese so it forms a paste that stays put when you cut. Brush more garlic butter on top right out of the oven. Love garlic bread? See family favorite garlic bread recipes. Soup night or holiday dinner?

You will need: 1 batch soft yeast dough (3 cups flour, 1 tbsp sugar), 1/2 cup soft butter, 4 garlic cloves (minced), 2 tbsp chopped parsley, 1/2 cup grated hard Italian cheese, 1 egg (beaten)

How to make it: 1. Mix butter, garlic, parsley and cheese. 2. Roll risen dough into 4 circles and spread on 3, then stack. 3. Cut, twist and pinch into a star. 4. Rise, brush with egg and bake at 375 degrees F for 20 minutes. 5. Brush with more garlic butter.

Pizza Star Bread With Pepperoni and Mozzarella

Pizza pinwheels like these use the same idea as a pizza star: dough, sauce and cheese rolled or twisted together. Pizza star bread is a crowd-pleaser for game day or holiday parties, with pepperoni and gooey mozzarella in every twist. Serve it with warm marinara for dipping. The tip: use low-moisture mozzarella and chop the pepperoni small, so the filling stays thin enough to twist without tearing. A sprinkle of Italian seasoning on top adds flavor. Love pizza nights? See homemade pizza night ideas. Will the kids help twist?

You will need: 2 lb store-bought pizza dough or 1 batch soft yeast dough, 1/2 cup pizza sauce, 1 1/2 cups shredded low-moisture mozzarella, 1/2 cup chopped pepperoni, 1 egg (beaten), 1 tsp Italian seasoning, marinara for dipping

How to make it: 1. Roll dough into 4 circles. 2. Spread a thin layer of sauce and sprinkle cheese and pepperoni on 3, then stack. 3. Cut, twist and pinch into a star. 4. Brush with egg and sprinkle seasoning. 5. Bake at 400 degrees F for 18 to 20 minutes and serve with marinara.

Crescent Roll Shortcut Star Bread

Flaky crescent dough, the kind you roll into golden crescents like these, makes the fastest star of all. Short on time? This shortcut uses refrigerated crescent dough sheets, so there is no rising or kneading at all. It still twists into a flaky Christmas star bread in about 30 minutes. The tip: press the perforations closed firmly and chill the dough sheets before cutting, which makes them much easier to twist. Fill with chocolate spread or cinnamon sugar. Need more quick holiday bakes? See crescent roll recipes. Will you try the shortcut first?

You will need: 2 cans refrigerated crescent dough sheets (or crescent rolls pressed together), 1/2 cup chocolate hazelnut spread or 1/2 cup cinnamon sugar with 3 tbsp soft butter, 1 egg (beaten), powdered sugar

How to make it: 1. Heat oven to 375 degrees F. 2. Cut 4 equal circles from the dough sheets. 3. Layer with filling between. 4. Chill 10 minutes, then cut, twist and pinch. 5. Brush with egg and bake 15 to 18 minutes, then dust with powdered sugar.