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    Home » Recipes » Breads & Buns

    Matcha Star Bread

    Published: Nov 1, 2022 by Michelle · 7 Comments

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    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

    This Matcha Star Bread is a festive and fun way to showcase tender pull-apart buns filled with a homemade Matcha Hazelnut Spread.

    Matcha Star Bread on a round wooden board.

    What is star bread?

    It is a bread dough that is shaped into star or snowflake, usually served at Christmas time.

    Typically, it is is filled with a combination of cinnamon sugar, or brown sugar.

    However, there are savoury versions as well using pesto or tomato sauce.

    Why you'll love this recipe

    This recipe yields a smaller 8-9" Star Bread, perfect for feeding a few people.

    It is filled with my Matcha Hazelnut Spread, a green tea spin on Italian Chocolate Hazelnut Spread (Gianduja)/Nutella which is commonly used as a filling.

    The yeasted bread is soft and fluffy, with hints of green tea and hazelnut woven throughout.

    It only requires a few ingredients to make at home.

    Torn Matcha Star Bread placed on a round wooden board.

    Ingredients you'll need

    • whole milk: warmed, or any non-dairy alternative
    • active dry yeast
    • granulated sugar: or any sweetener, adds a little sweetness to the dough
    • bread flour or all-purpose flour
    • sea salt: balances out the flavour of the dough
    • vegetable oil: adds a little moisture to keep the buns soft; or softened butter
    • vanilla extract: use a good quality pure vanilla extract, adds a little flavour to the dough
    • Matcha Hazelnut Spread: or you can substitute with Chocolate Hazelnut Spread

    Matcha Star Bread on a round wooden board.
    How to make it

    Make the dough

    Combine the warmed milk, yeast and sugar in a bowl and give it a stir. Let it sit for 5 minutes, until the yeast is bubbly and active.

    In a stand mixer bowl fitted with a dough hook attachment, add in the flour and sea salt.

    Add in the yeast mixture, oil and vanilla extract and knead until the dough is soft and shiny, about 5 minutes.

    Transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl and cover with a damp towel or plastic wrap.

    Leave it to rest in a warm location, until doubled in size, about 1 hour.

    Step by step instructions on how to make matcha star bread, with text overlay.

    Assemble

    Divide the dough into 4 equal balls.

    On a large work surface, with a rolling pin, roll each dough ball out into an 8-9" circle.

    Place the rolled out dough onto a piece of parchment paper and transfer to a large baking sheet (Step 1 above).

    Add 2 tablespoon of Matcha Hazelnut Spread to the dough and use an offset spatula to spread it over the surface, leaving about 1" border from the edge of the dough (Step 2 & 3 above).

    Place another rolled out dough over top and repeat with spreading the Matcha Hazelnut Spread, leaving the top layer blank (Step 4 above).

    Use a round 1.5" lid to make an imprint in the center of the dough. (This acts as a guide). (Step 5 below)

    Use a sharp bench scraper or cutter to make 4 cuts (North, South, East, and West), working from the exterior of the centre imprint (Step 6 below).

    Then, make 3 additional cuts in each quarter so you end up with 12 pieces total (Step 7 below).

    Take two pieces of dough and twist twice opposite of each other, and pinch the ends together.

    Repeat until all the dough sections have been twisted (Step 8 below).

    Cover with plastic wrap and leave in a warm location, until the bread is puffy.

    Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350F.

    Bake the Matcha Star Bread at 350F for 17-20 minutes, until lightly golden. If the bread is browning too quickly, cover with aluminum foil halfway through.

    Transfer the star bread to a wire rack to cool.

    Step by step instructions on how to make Matcha Star Bread, with text overlay.
    How to store

    Store the Matcha Star Bread in an airtight container for up to 3 days at room temperature.

    Place into the fridge for up to 1 week.

    How to enjoy

    Similar to pull-apart bread, you can pull off each "star tip" and enjoy.

    Serve the Matcha Star Bread at room temperature, or reheated for approximately 20 seconds in the microwave.

    Other filling ideas

    Feel free to try a different filling such as:

    • Adzuki Red Bean Paste
    • Taro Paste
    • Black Sesame Paste
    • Ube Halaya (Purple Yam Jam)

    Or try adding chopped nuts, candied ginger, orange zest, or lemon zest.

    For a savoury version, try adding herbs and spices like garlic, basil pesto or tomato sauce.

    Matcha star bread on a round wooden board.

    Other recipes you may like

    Be sure to check out these recipes:

    Matcha Shokupan (Japanese Milk Bread)

    Mini Wool Bread Buns with Purple Sweet Potato

    Small-Batch Cinnamon Rolls

    Matcha Raspberry Cream Cheese Rolls

    Matcha Milk Jam/Green Tea Milk Spread

    Let me know if you try out this recipe -- tag me on Instagram @siftandsimmer or leave me a comment/rating below!

    Matcha Star Bread on a round wooden board.

     

    Print Recipe
    5 from 5 votes

    Matcha Star Bread

    This Matcha Star Bread is a festive and fun way to showcase tender pull-apart buns filled with a homemade Matcha Hazelnut Spread.
    Prep Time20 mins
    Cook Time20 mins
    Resting Time1 hr 20 mins
    Total Time2 hrs
    Course: Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert
    Cuisine: Asian, Japanese
    Servings: 8
    Calories: 201kcal
    Author: Michelle

    For accuracy and precision in baking recipes, use weight (metric) measurements when available.

    Ingredients

    Dough:

    • 130 ml whole milk warmed
    • 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
    • 10 g granulated sugar
    • 160 g bread flour or all-purpose flour
    • pinch of sea salt
    • 30 g vegetable oil or butter
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

    Filling:

    • ½ C Matcha Hazelnut Spread
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Combine the warmed milk, yeast and sugar in a bowl and give it a stir. Let it sit for 5 minutes, until the yeast is bubbly and active.
    • In a stand mixer bowl fitted with a dough hook attachment, add in the flour and sea salt.
    • Add in the yeast mixture, vegetable oil and vanilla extract and knead until the dough is soft and shiny, about 5 minutes.
    • Transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl and cover with a damp towel or plastic wrap.
    • Leave it to rest in a warm location, until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
    • Divide the dough into 4 equal balls.
    • On a large work surface, with a rolling pin, roll each dough ball out into an 8-9" circle.
    • Place the rolled out dough onto a piece of parchment paper and transfer to a large baking sheet.
    • Add 2 tablespoon of Matcha Hazelnut Spread to the dough and use an offset spatula to spread it over the surface, leaving about 1" border from the edge.
    • Place another rolled out dough over top and repeat with spreading the Matcha Hazelnut Spread, leaving the top layer blank.
    • Use a round 1.5" lid to make an imprint in the centre of the dough. (This acts as a guide).
    • Use a sharp bench scraper to make 4 cuts (North, South, East, and West), working from the exterior of the centre imprint.
    • Then, make 3 additional cuts in each quarter so you end up with 12 pieces total.
    • Take two pieces of dough and twist twice opposite of each other, and pinch the ends together.
    • Repeat until all the dough sections have been twisted.
    • Cover with plastic wrap and leave in a warm location, until the bread is puffy.
    • Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350°F/177°C.
    • Bake the Matcha Star Bread at 350°F/177°C for 17-20 minutes, until lightly golden. If the bread is browning too quickly, cover with aluminum foil halfway through.
    • Transfer the star bread to a wire rack to cool.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 201kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 2mg | Sodium: 16mg | Potassium: 137mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 27IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 43mg | Iron: 1mg

    The nutritional information provided should be considered as approximate and is not guaranteed. Please use your best judgment to ensure food is safely prepared and/or a good fit for your diet.

    Did you try this recipe?Mention @siftandsimmer or tag #siftandsimmer!
    « Classic Matcha Chiffon Cake
    All Natural Rainbow Cake »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Heidi | The Frugal Girls

      November 01, 2022 at 2:25 pm

      Your gorgeous pull apart bread would literally become the star of any dinner. I especially love the fun color that the matcha adds to the bread!

      Reply
    2. Healthy World Cuisine

      November 01, 2022 at 5:12 pm

      5 stars
      Just stunning! Decorate the house with delicious baked goods instead of ornaments. We are all about that! Thank you for all of those very helpful step by step photos to make this matcha star bread.

      Reply
    3. Raymund | angsarap.net

      November 01, 2022 at 6:40 pm

      5 stars
      Another bread perfection Michelle, really impressive

      Reply
    4. David @ Spiced

      November 02, 2022 at 4:46 am

      5 stars
      Wow, this is so fun! I've never come across star bread before...which is shocking since I (1) love to bake and (2) love cinnamon rolls. This matcha version is really fun. I wonder if you could incorporate some red in there for the holidays somehow? Maybe sugared cranberries?? Would that work?

      Reply
      • Michelle

        November 19, 2022 at 8:01 am

        Thanks David! Sugared cranberries would be a fantastic addition 🙂

    5. Linsey

      November 09, 2022 at 2:52 pm

      5 stars
      Beautiful and very festive. Looks yummy too.

      Reply
    6. 2pots2cook

      November 19, 2022 at 1:32 am

      5 stars
      Such a clean work and festive treat. Pinned to Christmas!!!!!

      Reply

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