Learn how to make chocolate star bread—a stunning treat with soft bread and a rich chocolate filling. It’s easier than it looks and perfect for baking with the kids. Follow my simple video and step-by-step guide to create this delicious and comforting dessert!
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Chocolate star bread is a delightful homemade brioche, perfect for holiday brunch with the kids. With its snowflake or star shape, it’s not only delicious but also a beautiful addition to your table. This comforting treat is just what you need to embrace the winter season.
Surprisingly easy to make, this star bread is filled with rich chocolate, making it irresistibly delicious. You can also customize it with Nutella, jam, or even savory fillings like pesto or cheese.
Ideal for sharing with family and friends, this star bread is perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert. It’s a fun recipe to make together, and everyone will love enjoying the chocolatey layers.
Why you'll love this recipe
Ingredients You Need
You need these ingredients to make this Chocolate snowflake bread:
Sweet bread dough:
- Flour: Use all-purpose flour or bread flour for best results.
- Milk: Whole milk or 2% milk is ideal, but you can also use water or a plant-based milk.
- Butter: Unsalted butter, softened or melted butter and slightly cooled, gives the brioche a rich flavor.
- Yeast: Instant yeast or dry active yeast rehydrated in warm liquid, or fresh yeast if available.
- Sugar: Granulated white sugar or light brown sugar, depending on your preference.
- Egg: Egg yolk only at room temperature for easy mixing.
- Salt: Table salt to enhance the flavor.
Chocolate filling
- Chocolate: Use finely chopped dark or semi-sweet chocolate for a rich, intense flavor that melts beautifully within the bread.
- Butter: Unsalted butter, softened or melted, adds richness and helps bind the filling together, ensuring a smooth and creamy texture.
- Brown sugar: Packed brown sugar adds sweetness and a subtle caramel flavor that complements the chocolate perfectly.
- Cocoa powder: Unsweetened cocoa powder deepens the chocolate flavor and gives the filling an extra layer of richness.
How to Make Chocolate Star Bread
Here are some quick visual instructions. Don't forget that full recipe instructions with exact ingredients can be found in the recipe card below!
Step 1: If using active dry yeast, rehydrate it by mixing it with the warm milk and letting it sit for 5-10 minutes.
Step 2: In a large bowl or a large mixing bowl of the stand mixer fitted with the dough hook, place all the ingredients: flour, sugar, egg yolks, salt, melted butter, and the milk and yeast mixture.
Step 3: Mix on medium speed for 5 to 7 minutes until a smooth dough forms. Cover with a kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm place for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
Step 4: Punch down the dough on a lightly floured surface and divide it into 4 equal parts.
Step 5: Roll out each ball of dough with a rolling pin to about 10-inch circle (25 cm) in diameter on parchment paper to make 4 layers of dough.
Step 6: Place all ingredients in a medium bowl, chopped chocolate, powdered sugar, softened butter and cocoa powder and melt in a microwave or double boiler until liquid and smooth.
Step 7: Apply a layer of chocolate filling on the first disc of dough and cover with another disc and repeat for the third disc and cover with the fourth and final disc of dough.
Step 8: Mark the center of the dough with a small bowl or glass, just to have a mark to limit cutting and with a sharp knife or a pizza cutter, cut the round of dough into 4 quarters without going over the center mark.
Step 9: Cut each quarter in half again to make 8 pieces, then cut again to make 16 strips.
Step 10: Wrap around itself twice 2 strips of dough in opposite directions (see image or video) and alternate the direction of the twist for each strip and finish by welding the ends together to form a star shape.
Step 11: Let it rise at room temperature for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Step 12: Preheat oven to 347°F / 175°C line a large baking sheet with parchment paper et place the shaped star bread.
Step 13: After the second rise apply a layer of egg wash with the remaining egg white and a pastry brush and bake for about 20 minutes until you have a golden brown crust.
Enjoy! Let cool slightly before serving with a sprinkling of confectioner's sugar.
Serving Suggestions
- Warm with Butter: Serve the star bread warm with a pat of butter for a simple yet delicious addition.
- Dust with Powdered Sugar: Lightly dust the bread with powdered sugar before serving for a festive and sweet touch.
- Top with Whipped Cream: Add a dollop of whipped cream on each slice for a light and creamy complement to the rich chocolate filling.
- Serve with Fresh Fruit: Pair slices of star bread with fresh berries or sliced fruit like strawberries, raspberries, or oranges for a refreshing contrast.
- Drizzle with Chocolate Sauce: Enhance the chocolate flavor by drizzling melted chocolate or chocolate sauce over the bread before serving.
- Spread with Nutella: Add an extra layer of indulgence by spreading Nutella on each slice for a double chocolate experience.
- Add a Scoop of Ice Cream: Serve warm star bread with a scoop of vanilla or chocolate ice cream for a decadent dessert.
- Garnish with Crushed Nuts: Sprinkle chopped hazelnuts, almonds, or pistachios over the bread for added crunch and flavor.
- Turn into French Toast: Use leftover star bread to make a luxurious French toast by dipping slices in egg batter and frying them until golden.
Tips for this recipe
Storage instructions
In the Fridge/Room Temperature: Store leftover star bread should be stored in the fridge in an airtight container or wrapped in plastic wrap for up to 5 days.
Freezing: You can also freeze them for up to 3 months by placing them in a freezer bag or a freezer-safe container.
Variations & Substitutions
Recipe Questions
Can I use a different filling?
Yes! While chocolate is classic, you can also fill the star bread with Nutella, fruit jam, cinnamon sugar, or even savory options like pesto, cheese, or tomato sauce.
Can I make Chocolate Star Bread ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the dough and shape the bread the night before, then refrigerate it. Let it come to room temperature before baking the next day.
What occasions are best for serving Chocolate Star Bread?
Chocolate Star Bread is perfect for holiday gatherings, brunches, or as a festive dessert. It’s also a great treat to share with family and friends during special occasions.
Can I make a vegan version of Chocolate Star Bread?
Yes, you can substitute the butter, milk, and eggs with plant-based alternatives and use vegan chocolate for the filling.
More Brioche Recipes
I hope you love this star bread with chocolate filling. If you make it, be sure to leave a comment and a rating so I know how you liked it. Happy Baking!
Print
Chocolate Star Bread
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
Description
This Chocolate Star Bread is a delicious and impressive treat. Soft, buttery dough filled with rich chocolate, perfect for sharing. Makes a 10-inch (25 cm) bread, serving 12.
Ingredients
Brioche dough
- 200 ml ( ¾ cup) milk - lukewarm
- 8 g ( 2 ¼ tsp) active dry yeast or instant yeast
- 450 g ( 3 ½ cups) flour - all-purpose
- 70 g (⅓ cup) sugar - granulated
- 1 pinch salt
- 2 egg yolks - room temperature
- 30 g ( 2 tbsps) butter - unsalted, melted and cooled
Chocolate filling
- 200 g ( 7 oz) chocolate - semi-sweet
- 100 g (½ cup) butter - unsalted and softened
- 60 g ( ¼ cup) brown sugar
- 50 g (½ cup) cocoa powder - unsweetened
Instructions
Brioche Dough
- Rehydrate the dry yeast in warm milk and let it sit for about 5 minutes.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook, combine the flour, powdered sugar, and salt. Mix on medium speed.
- Add the melted and cooled butter, egg yolks, and the milk with the yeast. Knead for about 5 to 7 minutes until a smooth ball of dough forms.
- Cover the bowl with a cloth and let the dough rise at room temperature for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until it doubles in size.
- Place the dough on a floured surface and punch it down to release the air. Divide the dough into 4 equal balls, and roll each out on parchment paper into large discs about ⅛ inch (3 mm) thick.
Chocolate Filling
- In a small bowl, combine the chopped chocolate, butter, brown sugar, and powdered sugar. Microwave for 1-2 minutes until melted and smooth, stirring occasionally.
Assembly
- Place the first disc of dough on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Spread a layer of chocolate filling over the entire surface, then cover with a second disc of dough.
- Repeat this step two more times, finishing with the fourth disc on top.
- Trim the edges by cutting a round shape using a large plate, approximately 10 inches (25 cm) in diameter.
- Lightly press the center with a glass or small bowl to mark it. Cut the dough into 4 pieces, leaving the center intact.
- Then, cut each piece in half again to create 8 pieces, and repeat until you have 16 strips.
- Twist each strip about 2 times in opposite directions, then pinch the ends together to seal. Let the dough rise for another 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Baking
- Preheat the oven to 347°F (175°C). Brush the dough with the remaining egg white using a pastry brush. Bake for about 20 minutes, or until the brioche is puffy and golden brown.
- Let it cool slightly, sprinkle with confectioner's sugar, and serve.
Notes
Storage: at room temperature for 4-5 days in a storage box or in the freezer for about 3 months.
- Reheat the brioche a little in the microwave to give it back its softness.
- You can replace the filling with homemade spread, Nutella, jam.
For a savoury version: remove the sugar from the brioche dough and add a savoury topping, tomato sauce, pesto, fresh cheese and herbs.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: cake, Dessert
- Cuisine: american
Nutrition
- Calories: 372
- Sugar: 20
- Sodium: 94
- Fat: 17
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 53
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 7
- Cholesterol: 58
What type of flour for this recipe?
Hi, You must use all-purpose flour to make this recipe.
Do we use sugar or powdered sugar for the dough
I made the recipe, and the brioche is delicious—rich, soft, and fluffy. I just replaced the filling with chocolate spread, and it was great. Thank you!