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Cinnamon Roll Star Bread with Cream Cheese Dip

This Cinnamon Roll Star Bread is a soft, pull-apart yeast bread layered with buttery cinnamon sugar and baked into a beautiful star shape. Finished with a creamy vanilla cream cheese dip, it’s perfect for holidays, brunch, or special mornings.
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Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cinnamon bread recipe, Cinnamon Roll Bread, cinnamon star bread, cream cheese frosting, cream cheese icing, homemade cinnamon rolls, Pull apart cinnamon rolls, sweet breakfast recipes
Prep Time: 35 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Rise Time: 4 hours
Total Time: 5 hours
Servings: 12 servings

Ingredients

Dough

  • 1 cup whole milk warmed (105°F–115°F)
  • 3 teaspoons active dry yeast
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
  • 2 large eggs
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour

Cinnamon Filling

  • ½ cup light brown sugar
  • 1½ tablespoons cinnamon
  • 5 tablespoons unsalted butter softened

Egg Wash

  • 1 large egg
  • 2 tablespoons heavy cream

Cream Cheese Dip

  • 2 ounces cream cheese softened
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons heavy cream more as needed
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

Make the Dough

  • Warm the milk gently until it reaches 105–115°F. Pour into a small bowl, add the yeast, stir, and let sit for about 10 minutes until foamy.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook, add butter, eggs, sugar, salt, and flour. Mix briefly to combine.
  • Pour in the milk and yeast mixture. Knead on medium speed for 4–5 minutes until a smooth, elastic dough forms.
  • Divide the dough into 2 equal portions. Place each portion in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let rise 1½–2 hours, until doubled.

Prepare the Filling

  • While the dough rises, mix the brown sugar and cinnamon together in a small bowl. Set aside.

Shape the Star Bread

  • Turn dough out onto a floured surface and roll each portion into a 12-inch circle.
  • Place one dough circle onto a parchment lined extra large baking sheet.
  • Spread softened butter evenly over the dough, leaving a ½-inch border around the edge. Sprinkle evenly with the cinnamon sugar mixture.
  • Place the second dough circle on top.
  • Place a 3 inch bowl in the center of the dough. Using a sharp knife, cut 16 even slices from the edge of the bowl outward.
  • Take two adjacent strips, twist them away from each other 3 times, then pinch the ends together. Repeat all the way around to form a star.
  • Remove the bowl, cover loosely, and let rise 1 hour.

Bake

  • Preheat oven to 375°F.
  • Whisk together egg and heavy cream. Brush over the dough.
  • Bake for 25–30 minutes, until golden brown.
  • Let cool for 10 minutes. Dust with powdered sugar if desired.

Make the Cream Cheese Dip

  • While the bread bakes, beat cream cheese and butter together until smooth.
  • Add vanilla and mix again.
  • Add powdered sugar and salt and beat until fully combined (mixture will be thick).
  • Add heavy cream 1 tablespoon at a time until desired dipping or drizzling consistency is reached.

Serve

  • Serve warm with cream cheese dip on the side or drizzled over the top. Enjoy!