Strawberry Cream Cheese Star Bread (AKA Snowflake Bread)

In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine warm milk, yeast, sugar, salt, butter, and eggs. Add in flour. Use a dough hook and turn on to a low speed.

Once the flour starts to incorporate into the dough, increase the speed to a medium range. Add more flour as necessary so that the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl. The dough mixture should be soft and tacky, but not stick to your hands. Add more or less flour until the dough reaches the desired consistency. The amount of flour you add in bread making is always an approximation and you should go by feel.

Transfer the dough to a lightly greased mixing bowl. Cover with a towel and let rise until double in size, about 1 hour.

Take dough and divide it into 4 even pieces. Roll each piece into a large circle, roughly the width of your baking sheet.⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

Lay one circle down onto a parchment lined baking sheet. Spread 1/3 of the cream cheese across the dough then a layer of strawberry jam on top of that leaving 1/4 inch around the edge of the circle.

Continue layering with the remaining pieces, but leave the 4th and final piece plain on top. ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

Use a small 2-inch bowl to mark the center (or eyeball it) and then use a knife to cut 16 equal strands, leaving the small circle in the center.⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

Take two of the strands and twist in opposite directions, 2-3 times, and then pinch the edges shut to seal. Continue twisting pieces together until all pieces are twisted and you have a large star shape. ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

Bake immediately (no rising) in a 350 degree F oven for 20-25 minutes. ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣Once cooled, drizzle with cream cheese glaze, serve plain, frost with your favorite frosting, or dust with powdered sugar.⁣⁣

In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese with an electric mixer until it is smooth and creamy. Add the powdered sugar and beat until it is well combined and there are no lumps.

Gradually add the milk or water, beating until the glaze is smooth and has a pourable consistency. You may need to add more or less milk depending on the desired consistency. Stir in the vanilla extract, if using, for extra flavor.

Use the glaze immediately, or transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.