new favorite: (coconut-based) super fluffy star bread

This star-shaped bread is so fluffy I'm gonna die.

I first spotted this nutella star bread on a YouTube video trending on Facebook. But the guy who was making it (@DaveHax) used pre-made frozen pizza dough as the base. While that's a quick and convenient option, I didn't have pre-made dough on hand. Plus, it was almost midnight after a long week of classes, and I was looking forward to unwinding with one solid dough-kneading workout session. It really takes a lot of tension out of you, you know?

Star bread is a traditional Christmas pull-apart bread with layers of nutella sandwiched between layers of dough, which are carefully cut and folded into a lovely star shape. Or flower shape. Or snowflake shape. Or, as in this case, a starburst?

Although nutella is traditionally used as the filling, I chose to spread peanut butter because I didn't have nutella (and also because I'm a peanut butter addict). I can imagine a plethora of sweet and savory filling ideas, though. Cookie butter or cinnamon sugar, maybe? Or garlic butter? The possibilities are endless.

Mmmmm. Bread.

Maybe it was the recipe I used or the way I kneaded it - but the bread layers puffed up, so the star turned into a starburst/blossom shape. And the bread inside was magically soft and springy. I lightly sprinkled the surface of the bread with white sugar while it was cooling, but this bread is sweet, so that's not a necessary step. I also think the richness and saltiness of the peanut butter complemented the sweetness of the bread well. It was hard to resist eating this whole thing fresh out of the oven!

peanut butter star bread [df] (adapted from Handimania)

approx. 2 1/2 all purpose flour
2 Tbs coconut oil
1/2 Tbs vegetable oil
1/4 cup + 1 Tbs white granulated sugar
1 1/2 tsp dry active yeast
3/4 cup coconut milk, warmed
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup peanut butter
2 eggs, separated and at room temperature

1. Microwave the coconut milk until warmed. In a small bowl, combine the yeast, 1 Tbs sugar and warmed coconut milk. Let sit for 10-15 minutes.
2. In a separate bowl, combine 2 cups of flour, salt and 1/4 cup of sugar.
3. In the dry ingredients, add the egg yolks, coconut and vegetable oils as well as the yeast mixture.
4. Mix and combine into dough, kneading until the dough comes together. Slowly add in the remaining 1/2 cup of flour, if necessary, until the dough is smoother. The dough might appear to be "layered", but that's okay.
5. Place the dough ball in a greased, covered bowl, and let it rise in a warm place for 40 min. to 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
6. Knead the dough for a few minutes. Divide into 4 equal pieces.
7. Roll out each piece of dough into round sheets about a few millimeters thin.
8. Check out Handimania's great tutorial on how to layer and cut the dough. Trace a round plate (or something similar) onto each sheet. Smooth peanut butter within the traced lines of 3 of the sheets, layering them on top of one another. Place the final, peanut butter-free sheet on top.
9. Check out Handimania's great tutorial for a visual guide on how to cut and twist the dough into the star design. Place a glass cup (or something similar) or lid in the center of the dough layers. Make 16 equidistant cuts around the cup, being careful to not cut into the center. Twist 8 pairs of cut pieces away from one another.
10. Bake at 350 F for 10 minutes. Turn off the heat, and leave the bread in the oven for another 5-7 minutes. This bread is best served fresh out of the oven. :)

Star bread, I knead you in my life.