Christmas Star Twisted Bread
This gorgeous sweet bread swirled with jam may look tricky, but it’s not. The best part is opening the oven to find this star-shaped beauty in all its glory. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon
Christmas Star Twisted Bread Recipe photo by Taste of HomeNext Recipe
Total Time
Prep: 45 min. + rising Bake: 20 min. + cooling
Makes 16 servings

Ingredients
  • 1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast
  • 1/4 cup warm water (110° to 115°)
  • 3/4 cup warm whole milk (110° to 115°)
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 cup butter, softened
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 3-1/4 to 3-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup seedless raspberry jam
  • 2 tablespoons butter, melted
  • Confectioners' sugar
Directions
  1. 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.
  2. Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, 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.
  3. Punch down dough. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide into four portions. Roll one portion into a 12-in. circle. Place on a greased 14-in. pizza pan. Spread with one-third of the jam to within 1/2 in. from edge. Repeat twice, layering dough and jam, and ending with final portion of dough.
  4. Place a 2-1/2-in. round cutter on top of the dough in center 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.
  5. 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 confectioners' sugar.
Editor’s Note: Kickstart the flavor by trying blueberry jam and 1 teaspoon grated lemon peel, or blackberry jam and 1/2 teaspoon cardamom.

Nutrition Facts1 piece: 193 calories, 5g fat (3g saturated fat), 24mg cholesterol, 192mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.
Originally published as Christmas Star Twisted Bread in Taste of Home November 2016