Vegan Cinnamon Star Bread: A Festive and Delicious Recipe
Indulge in the delightful experience of making and enjoying a Vegan Cinnamon Star Bread, a stunning and flavorful twist on traditional cinnamon rolls. This yeasted pull-apart bread, filled with a luscious buttery cinnamon sugar mixture, is guaranteed to be a showstopper at any occasion. Whether you’re looking for a perfect festive breakfast, a delightful brunch option, or a satisfying dessert, this recipe is sure to impress.
Also known as snowflake bread, this vegan cinnamon star bread is surprisingly easy to create, despite its intricate appearance! Layers of soft, fluffy dough are generously filled with a decadent buttery cinnamon sugar mixture, then artfully cut and twisted to form a visually stunning star or snowflake shape. The result is a treat that’s as beautiful as it is delicious.
A light dusting of snowy icing sugar adds the perfect finishing touch, making this bread an ideal treat for Christmas celebrations. However, its irresistible flavor and texture make it equally enjoyable any time of year. Prepare to impress your family and friends with this extraordinary baked creation.
Detailed Ingredient Breakdown:
Understanding the role of each ingredient is crucial for achieving the best possible results with this Vegan Cinnamon Star Bread recipe. Here’s a closer look:
Bread Flour: Using white bread flour is highly recommended as it provides the necessary gluten development to create a soft, fluffy, and slightly chewy texture. While plain (all-purpose) flour can be substituted, the resulting texture will be slightly different. Wholemeal flour is not recommended as it will make the bread too dense and heavy.
Instant Yeast: Instant yeast, also known as fast-action yeast, is preferred for its convenience. It can be added directly to the flour without needing to be activated separately. This simplifies the baking process and ensures consistent results. Ensure your yeast is fresh for optimal rising.
Salt: Salt is an essential ingredient in bread making. It not only enhances the flavor but also controls the yeast activity and strengthens the gluten structure. Do not omit salt from the recipe, as it plays a crucial role in the final product.
Non-Dairy Milk: Soy milk is a fantastic choice for baking as it closely resembles dairy milk in terms of protein content. However, any unsweetened non-dairy milk alternative, such as almond, oat, or cashew milk, can be used successfully. Opting for an unsweetened variety will prevent the bread from becoming overly sweet.
Sugar: The recipe utilizes both caster sugar for the dough and light brown soft sugar for the filling. Caster sugar, also known as superfine sugar, dissolves easily into the dough, contributing to its overall texture. Light brown soft sugar adds a rich, caramel-like flavor to the filling. Granulated sugar can be used as a substitute for caster sugar. Dark brown sugar can also be used in the filling, but it will impart a stronger molasses flavor.
Vegan Butter: Using a block-style vegan butter, such as Flora Plant Butter or Naturli Vegan Block, is highly recommended. These butters have a higher fat content and will create a richer, more flavorful dough. Spreadable vegan butters can be used, but the resulting dough may be softer and more challenging to work with.
Cinnamon: Cinnamon is, of course, the star of the filling! It provides the classic warm, comforting flavor that we associate with cinnamon rolls. For a twist, you can substitute pumpkin spice or add other complementary spices like ginger, nutmeg, or cardamom to create a unique flavor profile.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Create Your Vegan Cinnamon Star Bread
This guide will walk you through each step of the process, from making the dough to shaping the star and baking it to perfection. Follow these instructions carefully for a guaranteed delicious result.
(Full measurements and detailed instructions are available in the recipe card at the bottom of this page.)
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine the bread flour, instant yeast, sugar, and salt. Add the lukewarm non-dairy milk and vanilla extract, mixing until a shaggy dough forms.
- Step 2: Knead the dough for 5-10 minutes, either by hand or with a stand mixer, until it becomes smooth and elastic. The dough will initially be sticky, but resist the urge to add more flour.
- Step 3: Knead the softened vegan butter into the dough until fully incorporated. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size.
- Step 4: Punch down the risen dough to release the air. Divide it into four equal pieces and shape each piece into a ball.
- Step 5: Roll out one of the dough balls into a 25cm (10-inch) circle. Transfer the circle to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush the dough with melted vegan butter and sprinkle generously with cinnamon sugar.
- Step 6: Repeat the process with the remaining dough balls, stacking them on top of each other and layering with melted butter and cinnamon sugar. The final layer should be plain dough without any topping.
- Step 7: Place a 7.5cm (3-inch) round cookie cutter or ramekin in the center of the dough stack. Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut the dough into quarters, starting from the edge and stopping at the edge of the cutter in the center.
- Step 8: Cut each quarter in half, resulting in eight equal sections.
- Step 9: Divide each of the eight sections in half again, creating a total of sixteen strips of dough that are connected in the center.
- Step 10: Take two adjacent strips of dough, one in each hand, and twist them away from each other twice.
- Step 11: Give the twisted strips a third half-twist so that the flat ends face each other. Pinch the ends together firmly to create a pointed end.
- Step 12: Repeat the twisting and pinching process with the remaining strips of dough until the entire star is formed.
- Step 13: Cover the shaped star loosely with plastic wrap or a clean tea towel and let it rise for about 20-45 minutes, or until it looks slightly puffy.
- Step 14: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Prepare the glaze by whisking together the non-dairy milk, maple syrup, and olive oil. Gently brush the risen star bread with the glaze and bake for 22-25 minutes, or until golden brown.
Essential Tips for Baking Success:
To ensure your Vegan Cinnamon Star Bread turns out perfectly, keep these crucial tips in mind:
Use a Kitchen Scale: For accurate measurements and consistent results, always use a digital kitchen scale to measure ingredients in grams. Cup measurements can be inaccurate and lead to variations in the final product.
Proper Measuring Spoons: When measuring teaspoons and tablespoons, use proper measuring spoons, not regular kitchen spoons. A tablespoon is 15ml, and a teaspoon is 5ml. Level the measurements rather than heaping them.
Even Dough Circles: Strive to roll the dough into even circles of the same size for consistent layering. If necessary, stretch the dough slightly as you stack the layers to even them out and trim off any overhanging bits.
Check Your Yeast: Make sure your yeast isn’t expired. Old yeast can result in dough that doesn’t rise properly. If you’re unsure, test your yeast by mixing it with warm water and sugar to see if it foams.
Rising Time: The rising time of the dough will vary depending on the ambient temperature. On warmer days, the dough will rise faster than on colder days. Keep an eye on the dough and adjust the rising time accordingly.
Overnight Rise: For an even better flavor and to break up the workload, you can allow the dough to rise overnight in the refrigerator. This slow fermentation process enhances the bread’s taste and texture.
Assemble on Baking Sheet: Assemble and shape the star bread directly on the lined baking sheet, as it will be impossible to move it without deforming it once it’s formed.
Cutting the Dough: The best tool for cutting the dough is a metal bench scraper or dough cutter. A pizza wheel or a very sharp knife will also work effectively. Ensure your cuts are clean and precise for a well-defined star shape.
Second Rise: Be careful not to let the star bread over-proof during its second rise. It should rise just enough to become slightly puffy. Over-proofing can cause the star to lose definition during baking. The rising time will vary depending on the temperature; in a warm environment, it could take as little as 20 minutes, or up to 45 minutes if it’s cold or if the dough was refrigerated for its first rise.
Internal Temperature: The best way to determine if the bread is cooked through is to use a probe thermometer. The internal temperature should reach 90°C / 195°F. Baking times can vary depending on individual ovens, so relying on temperature is the most accurate method.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
How should I store Vegan Cinnamon Star Bread?
This bread is best enjoyed on the day it is baked. However, it will keep for 2-3 days in an airtight container at room temperature. To refresh it, warm it in the microwave or a low oven before serving.
Can I freeze Vegan Cinnamon Star Bread?
While it’s not recommended to freeze the entire loaf in advance, any leftovers can be frozen, well-wrapped, for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature and warm before serving.
Can I knead the dough by hand?
Yes, you can absolutely knead the dough by hand. However, it is a soft, sticky dough, so it’s easiest made in a stand mixer. If kneading by hand, avoid adding extra flour to the surface, as this will make the dough too dry. Instead, lightly oil the work surface and your hands. A bench scraper can be helpful for unsticking the dough.
Can I make it gluten-free?
Unfortunately, this recipe cannot be easily adapted for gluten-free baking. Gluten-free bread making requires significant recipe adjustments and is a specialized area. It’s best to use a recipe specifically designed to be gluten-free rather than trying to adapt a non-gluten-free one.
More Vegan Christmas Breads to Explore:
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