Cinnamon Sugar Star Bread with Fresh Milled Flour

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There’s nothing quite like waking up to the smell of freshly baked bread wafting through the kitchen. This Cinnamon Sugar Star Bread is a delightful treat that’s perfect for Christmas morning, special occasions, or cozy weekends. Soft, tender layers made with fresh milled flour and a sweet cinnamon sugar filling come together in a stunning star shape that’s as beautiful as it is delicious. Enjoy it warm with a cup of coffee, and you’ll see why it’s quickly becoming one of my favorite bread recipes to share. If it’s your first time making star bread, don’t worry—follow my step-by-step directions for the best results. It’s a festive, heartwarming bake you’ll want to make again and again. Happy baking!

What Makes This Recipe Great  

Freshly milled flour adds incredible flavor.
Using freshly milled flour gives the bread a richer, nuttier taste and a delightful texture that you just can’t get from store-bought flour. It’s a little extra effort, but it makes a big difference you’ll notice bite after bite.

The star shape steals the show.
Cutting and twisting the dough into a star shape is not only fun but creates beautiful layers of dough where the cinnamon sugar caramelizes just right. It’s impressive to serve but surprisingly easy to pull off.

Simple ingredients with a big impact.
This recipe uses pantry staples like cinnamon, sugar, butter, and yeast, but the magic lies in how these ingredients come together. It’s a perfect example of comfort food that feels special without being intimidating.

For more fresh milled Christmas recipes, try this Christmas Tree Pull-Apart Bread or this Stollen Bread!

Overview of Ingredients  

Fresh Milled Flour
Freshly milled flour is the heart of this recipe, providing the best flavor and texture. If you don’t have a mill, high-quality whole wheat flour or bread flour can work as substitutes but expect subtle differences in aroma and crumb.

Cinnamon Sugar
This classic duo is what fills the star bread with its warm sweetness. You can adjust the cinnamon amount to be milder if you’re new to the spice or even add a pinch of nutmeg for a twist.

Butter
Butter enriches the dough and helps the sugar caramelize in the layers. Unsalted butter is preferred so you can control salt levels, but salted butter is fine too — just reduce additional salt in the recipe.

Yeast
Active dry yeast or instant yeast both work well here. If you’re wary about working with yeast, just be sure it’s fresh and the dough has time to rise properly, which is key for that soft texture.

Milk
Milk adds tenderness and richness to the dough, but you can substitute with a plant-based milk like almond or oat milk to keep things dairy-free.

Sugar
 Sugar is used in the filling, creating that sweet crunch. Brown sugar works well too if you want a deeper molasses flavor.

Tips for Success

#1 Use room temperature ingredients
Allow your butter, milk, and eggs to come to room temperature before mixing. This helps the dough come together more smoothly and rise better.

#2 Don’t rush the rising
Patience is key with yeast dough. Letting the dough rise in a warm, draft-free spot until it doubles in size will make your bread fluffier and lighter.

#3 Roll dough evenly
When you roll out the dough before layering the cinnamon sugar, aim for an even thickness and about a 10-inch circle. Uneven dough can cause the star to bake unevenly and affect the texture.

#4 Generously butter the layers
Butter between your dough layers isn’t just delicious, it helps the cinnamon sugar stick and caramelize for that irresistibly gooey filling.

#5 Use a sharp knife or pizza cutter
For cutting the star shape and the dough strips, a sharp blade ensures clean edges and crisp twists without tearing the dough.

Helpful Tools & Supplies

Whether you’re just dipping your toes into the world of fresh milled flour or you’re a seasoned home baker, I’ve taken the guesswork out of what you truly need. All of these tools and resources are available in my shop, designed to help your journey be smooth and nourishing:

Grain Mills

• NutriMill Classic Grain Mill – My go-to for fine, consistent milling; perfect for sandwich breads and everyday baking.
• NutriMill Harvest Grain Mill – Stone-ground elegance: this model delivers whole-grain flavor with a beautiful appearance.

Mixers

• Ankarsrum Mixer – A powerhouse kitchen companion with multiple speeds and attachments—ideal for kneading bread dough effortlessly.

Baking & Bread Tools

• Bread Bow Knife – Artisan-made with a high-carbon steel blade and cherry wood handle—this knife slices loaves with ease.
• Sourdough Essentials Kit With Starter – Complete starter kit that includes dehydrated sourdough starter, banneton baskets, a dough whisk, scoring lame, and more.

Cookbooks & eBook Bundles

• Everyday Whole Grains Vol. 1 & 2 (printed & digital) – Packed with 70+ recipes built around fresh milled flour, from breads to snacks and desserts.
• The Fresh Breads Bundle – A comprehensive set including eBooks like The Perfect Loaf, the Cookie Jar, bulk baking guides, and a sourdough mini‑course—all centered on fresh milled flour.
• Freshly Milled Made Simple Guide – A video-based guide that walks you through milling and baking basics, making the process feel easy and approachable.

Specialty Items

• Dehydrated Sourdough Starter – Just add water and flour to rehydrate this starter—perfect for bakers without an active sourdough culture.
• I Knead Fresh Flour Mug – A charming, handmade 12 oz ceramic mug—great for coffee breaks during dough rising!

Why These Are Worth It

Every tool in this collection has been personally vetted to support you in baking with fresh milled flour. From the grain mills that make your flour, to mixers that knead dough, to resources that teach you every step—it’s all here to make sure your homemade bread journey is joyful, nourishing, and successful.

➡️ Explore all of these items and more in the Generation Acres Farm Shop — your one-stop spot for fresh milled flour baking essentials.

Equipment:  

Rolling pin
Sharp knife or bench scraper
Mixing bowls
Pastry brush
Baking sheet  

How to Make Cinnamon Sugar Star Bread with Fresh Milled Flour

Ingredients

Dough:

• ¾ cup warm water (165 grams)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ¼ cup olive oil (52 grams)
• ¼ cup honey (64 grams)
• 3 – 3 ½ cups freshly milled hard white wheat flour, finely milled (390-455 grams)
• 1 ½ teaspoons yeast
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice

Cinnamon Filling:

• 1 ½ cups brown sugar, sucanat, maple sugar, or coconut sugar (180 grams)
• 3 tablespoons freshly milled hard white wheat flour, finely milled
• 5 tablespoons melted butter (72 grams)
• 1 ½ tablespoons cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon nutmeg

Directions:

• Combine the warm water, salt, oil, honey, and lemon juice in the bowl of a stand mixer.

• Next add half of the flour. Mix until well combined. 

• Allow the dough to rest in the mixer for 10 minutes.

• Add the yeast and the rest of the flour, ½ cup at a time and watch how the dough reacts. You don’t want to add too much flour. Add just enough to where a soft dough forms and the dough begins to pull away from the sides of the bowl. 
• Knead the dough until it reaches windowpane.

• Cover the dough, place in a lightly greased bowl, and allow to rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.

• Preheat oven to 350* F. Line flat baking sheet with parchment paper.

• Cut the dough into thirds. On a lightly floured work surface, roll the first piece of dough into a thin circle. Using a large plate, lay it on top of the flattened dough and cut a perfect circle with a knife or something similar.

• Move the dough to the baking sheet. Spread half of the cinnamon sugar mixture onto the flattened dough.

• Repeat with the second piece of dough, then move the dough on top of the other circle with cinnamon sugar on it and add the rest of the cinnamon sugar mixture.

• Flatten the last piece of dough and place on top of the others on the baking sheet.

• Place a small cup in the center of the circle, your cuts will begin just outside of the cup. Using a knife or pizza cutter, cut the circle of dough at the 12 o’clock, 3 o’clock, 6 o’clock and 9 o’clock positions. Then cut each of those sections in half, then each of those sections in half.

• Find the first cuts you made and begin by grabbing the two pieces of dough and twisting them away from each other several times and then pinch the ends together. Repeat for all sections.

• Bake in oven for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown and dough is cooked through. Dust with powdered sugar once slightly cooled.

Recipe Variations  

Add nuts:
Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts between the layers for an extra crunch and a hint of earthiness.

Swap cinnamon for other spices:
Try cardamom or pumpkin pie spice for a different but equally delightful flavor profile.

Use a glaze:
Top the baked star bread with a simple powdered sugar glaze or cream cheese drizzle to add a touch of elegance.

Fruit fill-in:
Add thin slices of apple or dried cranberries along with the cinnamon sugar for a fruity surprise.

Make it vegan:
Replace butter with coconut oil or vegan margarine and use a plant-based milk to create a vegan-friendly version.

Troubleshooting Common Problems with this Recipe  

Dough doesn’t rise
Yeast might be old or water/milk temperature too hot or cold. Check freshness of yeast and always use lukewarm liquids (around 100-110°F). Give the dough a warmer place to rise, like near a sunny window.

Bread turns out dense
If the dough is overworked or didn’t rise enough, it can be dense. Be gentle when kneading and allow adequate rising time for a light texture.

Cinnamon sugar leaks out
Not enough butter or uneven layers can cause filling to leak during baking. Make sure to thoroughly butter between layers and handle dough gently while twisting.

Bread is too sweet or bland
Adjust sugar in the filling to taste. If you like it less sweet, reduce sugar; if you prefer more cinnamon kick, add extra cinnamon.

Bread baked unevenly
Ensure your oven is fully preheated and use the middle rack. Rotate the baking sheet halfway through baking to promote even color and cooking.

Freezing & Storing Leftovers  

Freezing:
For longer storage, let the bread cool completely before wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap and then foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. To enjoy later, thaw at room temperature wrapped in foil, then warm in a low oven.

Storing:
Keep the bread in an airtight container or zipped bag at room temperature for 2-3 days. For longer freshness, refrigerate but expect a slight change in texture.

How To Reheat  

Oven Method
Best for: Restoring that freshly baked texture and warming the cinnamon layers without sogginess. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Wrap the bread loosely in foil and heat for 10-15 minutes until warm. Unwrap in the last few minutes to refresh the crust.

Microwave Method
Best for: Quick warming when you’re short on time. Place a slice on a microwave-safe plate and cover it with a damp paper towel. Heat for 20-30 seconds but watch out for softening the crust.

Toaster Oven Method
Best for: A smaller portion or slice with a crispy edge. Toast the bread for 3-5 minutes at 350°F (175°C), checking so it doesn’t over-brown.

Extra FAQs  

Can I make this bread without fresh milled flour?
Yes, you can use whole wheat flour or all-purpose flour as a substitute, though the flavor and texture will be slightly different from fresh milled flour and you will miss out on the health benefits of freshly milled flour.

How long does the dough need to rise?
Typically, the dough should rise until it doubles in size, usually about 1 to 1.5 hours depending on the room temperature.

Can I freeze the dough before baking?
You can freeze the shaped dough before its second rise. Thaw it in the fridge overnight and let it rise at room temperature before baking.

What’s the best way to slice the star bread?
Use a serrated knife or pizza cutter to gently cut along the stars or into wedges after baking for clean slices.

Is this bread good for breakfast or dessert?
Both. Its sweet cinnamon layers and soft crumb make it perfect for a cozy breakfast or a lightly sweet dessert with coffee or tea.