Christmas star twisted bread

It’s never too early to start your Christmas dish planning. This will be great to take as a Christmas gift to house parties or served at your own home for breakfast.

You will need:

1 package instant yeast

(2 1/4 tsp instant yeast)

1/4 cup warm water

3/4 cup warm milk

1 large egg

1/4 cup butter, softened

1/4 cup sugar

1 tsp salt

3 1/4 to 3 3/4 cups flour{{more}}

3/4 cup seedless raspberry jam

(or whatever flavour)

2 tablespoons butter, melted

Confectioner’s sugar

Method

Dissolve yeast in warm water until foamy. In another bowl, combine milk, egg, butter, sugar and salt; add yeast mixture and 3 cups flour. Beat on medium speed until smooth, about 1 minute. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover with plastic wrap; let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour. Punch down dough. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide into four portions. Roll one portion into a 12” circle. Place on a greased 14” pizza pan. Spread with 1/3 of the jam to within 1/2” from edge. Repeat twice, layering dough and jam, and ending with final portion of dough. Place a 2 1/2 round cutter or bowl on top of the dough in centre of circle (do not press down). With a sharp knife, make 16 evenly spaced cuts from round cutter to edge of dough, forming a starburst. Remove cutter; grasp two strips and rotate twice outward. Pinch ends together. Repeat with remaining strips. Cover with plastic wrap; let rise until almost doubled, about 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 375°. Bake until golden brown, 18-22 minutes. (Watch during final 5 minutes for any dripping.) Remove from oven; brush with melted butter, avoiding areas where jam is visible. Cool completely on a wire rack. Dust with confectioner’s sugar and enjoy.

Tip – If jam is not your thing, then make into a cinnamon bread by brushing the individual rolled dough with 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted, then sprinkle a combination of 3/4 cup granulated sugar and 3 tsp cinnamon. Increase measurement if needed and follow process as directed.