Baklava Star 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.

In a bowl, mix together nuts, sugar, cinnamon, and cloves. Set aside.

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 about 2-3 tablespoons of butter across the dough, sprinkle approx. 1/3 of the Baklava mixture on top of the butter, leaving 1/4-inch around the edge of the circle.

Continue layering dough, butter, and 1/3 of the Baklava mixture, 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. Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes. Drizzle honey on top of your star bread, sprinkle on top any extra Baklava mixture you may have, and enjoy!