Chai-Spiced Star Bread

Chai-Spiced Star Bread Recipe photo by Taste of Home

• Total Time: Prep: 45 min. + rising Bake: 20 min. + cooling

• Makes: 16 servings

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1/2 cup warm water (110° to 115°)
• 1/2 cup warm whole milk (110° to 115°)
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 2-3/4 to 3-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• FILLING:
• 5 tablespoons butter, softened
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 medium Bartlett pear, peeled and chopped
• 1 large egg, beaten

Directions

• In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. In a large bowl, combine milk, sugar, yeast mixture and 1.5 cups flour; beat on medium speed until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough (dough will be sticky).
• Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover with plastic wrap; let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
• Punch down dough. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide into 4 portions. Roll each into a 12-in. circle. Place 1 circle on a parchment-lined 14-in. pizza pan. For filling, combine butter, brown sugar, vanilla and spices. Spread circle with a third of the filling. Repeat twice, layering dough and filling; top with pears. Top with final portion of dough.
• Place a 2-1/2-in. round cutter on top of the dough in center of circle (do not press down). With a sharp knife, make 16 evenly spaced cuts from round cutter to edge of dough, forming a starburst. Remove cutter; grasp 2 strips and rotate twice outward. Pinch ends together. Repeat with remaining strips.
• Cover with a kitchen towel; almost doubled, about 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 375°. Brush with beaten egg. Bake until golden brown, 20-25 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack.

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SOURCE: Taste of Home