Snowflake Bread
A stunning and delicious centrepiece for any festive table, this pillowy soft bread is filled with sweet cinnamon sugar. Bake it for friends as a special Christmas gift or keep for yourself to enjoy at home.
How long will it take?
2 ½ hours
What’s the serving size?
Serves 8
What do I need?
For the Dough
- 2 ¼ tsp instant dried yeast
- ¾ cup warm milk (approx. 43C)
- ¼ cup caster sugar
- 2 eggs
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp salt
- 3 ½ - 4 cups plain flour
For the Cinnamon Sugar
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ¼ cup caster sugar
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
For the Egg Wash
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tbsp milk
To serve
- 1 tbsp caster sugar
How do I make it?
- Add yeast, milk and sugar to a large bowl and mix. Set aside for 5-10 minutes to activate the yeast – the mixture should be frothy.
- Add eggs, butter, vanilla, and salt to the yeast mixture. Mix in flour gradually until a soft dough forms. Knead for 8-10 minutes by hand or 5-6 minutes with a stand mixer until smooth and elastic. The dough should be tacky but not sticky. Add more flour if needed.
- Place dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean tea towel and let rise in a warm spot for 1-1 ½ hours, or until doubled in size.
- Punch down the dough and divide into 4 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a 25-centimetre circle.
- Place 1 dough circle on a baking tray lined with baking paper.
- Make the Cinnamon Sugar by combining butter, sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl and mixing well.
- Spread 1/3 of the Cinnamon Sugar over the first dough circle, then top with a second circle and spread with Cinnamon Sugar. Add third dough circle and spread with Cinnamon Sugar, then top with the final dough circle but do not add Cinnamon Sugar to it.
- To shape the dough into the Snowflake place a small glass or a round cookie cutter in the centre of the dough. Use a sharp knife to cut 16 equal slices from the edge of the glass to the edge of the dough. Take 2 adjacent strips and twist them away from each other twice, then pinch the ends together to form a point. Repeat with remaining pairs until 8 points are formed.
- Cover the Snowflake loosely and let rise in a warm spot for 20-30 minutes while the oven preheats to 180C.
- Combine egg yolk and milk in a small bowl to make the Egg Wash. Brush Snowflake with egg wash, then bake in oven for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
- Remove from oven and sprinkle with 1 tbsp caster sugar.
TOP TIPS
- You can serve the Snowflake warm or at room temperature.
- Customise the Snowflake with different fillings – try Nutella, jam, or a savoury version with pesto, sun-dried tomatoes and cheese.
- Keep an eye on the Snowflake during the second rising – if it is left for too long, you risk losing the Snowflake shape.
