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Cranberry Orange Brioche Star Bread with glaze on the top.
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4.88 from 8 votes

Cranberry Orange Brioche Star Loaf

If you are looking for the perfect seasonal bread, this is it!!
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
resting time1 day
Total Time1 day 45 minutes
Course: Bread
Cuisine: American
Keyword: brioche for the holidays, cranberry orange brioche, star loaf, whole wheat brioche
Servings: 20
Author: Amy Sandidge

Equipment

  • stand mixer, sheet pan

Ingredients

  • ½ cup warm milk I like it right about 100 degrees, or warm to the touch
  • 3 eggs
  • 2 ½ teaspoon instant yeast
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • 1 ¾ cups whole wheat flour I used a white wheat for this
  • 1 ¾-2 cups all- purpose flour
  • ½ cup softened butter
  • 1 ¾-2 cups cranberry orange sauce This can be homemade or canned.

Orange Sugar

  • ⅓ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons orange zest

Egg Wash

  • 1 egg for egg wash
  • 2 tablespoons milk for egg wash

Orange Glaze

  • 1 ½ cup powdered sugar
  • 2-4 tablespoons fresh squeezed orange juice.

Instructions

  • Place milk, whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, salt, yeast, brown sugar, and eggs to a stand mixer. This can also be done by hand with kneading if you prefer. Mix for about 1 minute until the dough comes together.
    Now, turn your mixer on medium. "Dot" in your butter. This means taking small chunks of the butter, about 1 tablespoon, adding them into the dough as it is mixing. Let one mix in, then add in another. The process should take about 3-4 minutes. Continue to let the dough mix until it is smooth, usually about 5 minutes.
    The dough is best to refrigerate overnight. So, add to a container, making sure to give enough space for it to rise a bit. cover and place in the fridge.
  • The next day, combine your granulated sugar and orange zest to make the orange sugar. Set it aside.
  • Have 2 sheets of parchment paper ready and 2 baking sheets.
  • Remove your dough from the fridge and divide it into 4 equal pieces.
  • On a lightly floured surface, roll each one to about 12-inch circles. Place 2 of the circles on the 2 pieces of parchment.
  • Spread the cranberry sauce divided between the 2 circles. Spread it out, leaving about ¼ inch around the edges so you can seal it.
  • Divide your orange sugar and sprinkle it over the cranberry sauce. Take the other 2 circles and put one on each of your filled circles. You should now have 2 filled 12-inch circles.
  • With each of the circles, press a small cup in the center to mark. I used a 3-inch glass. Now, cut slits into your circles. I started with 4 slits, to keep things even, then cut into each of those wedges.
  • Move the parchment to your baking sheets carefully. Now, start twisting the wedges to form the star. Once you have finished both stars, cover and let them double.
  • When they are almost risen, preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Combine your egg and milk, then mix well. This will be your egg wash.
  • Brush the bread with the egg wash, place in the oven, and bake until it is a beautiful golden brown.
  • Remove from the oven. Let it cool slightly. Then make your glaze. Add the powdered sugar to a bowl and add the orange juice. If you need to add more, do it. I like a thicker glaze, but you can thin it if you prefer.
  • Drizzle with the glaze and it is ready to go! Now, stand back because this bread is going to go fast!!

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