Easy Cinnamon Star Bread

This easy Cinnamon Star Bread is a stunning holiday showstopper that’s surprisingly simple to make. Perfect for breakfast or brunch, it’s soft, sweet, and beautifully twisted with warm cinnamon sugar in every bite.

Easy Cinnamon Star Bread

Hi, I’m Jana, and I love creating recipes that look impressive but are actually incredibly simple. This cinnamon star bread may appear elaborate, but it’s truly not. I use frozen bread dough, layer it with cinnamon sugar, twist it into a star, and bake—yet it comes out looking like I spent hours in the kitchen.

It’s the perfect holiday bake when you want something beautiful without the fuss. Whether you’re serving it for breakfast, brunch, or a festive gathering, this star bread always delivers that cozy “wow” factor with minimal effort.

The Cowboys’ Rating: 10/10

Every time I make a new recipe, I have my family rate the recipe out of 10. By the time, these recipes make the blog, they’ve been tried and tested by some of my hardest tiny critics!

What Ingredients Are Cinnamon Star Bread?

• Frozen Bread Dough – My go-to here is Rhodes Frozen Bread Dough. I just pull it out of the freezer and thaw according to the package directions. It saves so much time and yet is still so good.
• Cinnamon
• Brown Sugar
• White Sugar
• Salted Butter – I use salted butter because it’s what I have. I never buy the unsalted butter because I don’t ever use it. I’m a big fan of just using what you have on hand.
• Egg – I like to add an egg wash over top of the bread before baking so that it has that golden brown appearance. It also makes the top slightly crisp which is so yummy.

GLAZE

• Milk
• Powdered Sugar
• Vanilla

Tools You’ll Need

• Measuring Cups & Spoons
• Baking Sheet Pan
• Flour Sack Dish Towels to cover dough
• Pizza Cutter

How to Make Cinnamon Star Bread

1. A few hours before making the cinnamon star bread, remove two frozen bread loaves from the freezer and thaw according to the package directions.
2. Once the dough is fully thawed and risen, generously flour your countertop and place the dough on the floured surface.
3. Cut the two loaves in half to create four equal sections.
4. Knead one section a few times, then roll it out into a large circle.
5. Transfer the rolled dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.
6. Spread a thin, even layer of softened butter over the dough.
7. In a small mixing bowl, combine white and brown sugar and cinnamon until well combined.
8. Sprinkle a few tablespoons of the sugar mixture over top of the bread.
9. Roll out a second dough section to match the size of the first circle, then place it on top.
10. Spread with butter sprinkle with a few tablespoons of the cinnamon-sugar mixture as before.
11. Repeat the process with the third dough section.
12. For the fourth and final section, roll it out, place it on top, and leave the surface plain.
13. Place a small cup or bowl (about 2 inches in diameter) in the center of the dough stack. Using a pizza cutter, slice the dough into 12 equal strips, cutting from the edge of the bowl to the outside edge through all layers.
14. Remove the bowl. Take two adjacent strips and twist them away from each other twice, then pinch the ends together so the top side faces up again. Repeat with all remaining pairs.
15. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and water. Brush the egg wash over the top of the star bread.
16. Bake at 375°F for 25–30 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown. If it begins to brown too quickly, lightly tent it with aluminum foil.
17. Remove from the oven and let the bread cool completely.
18. Once cooled, whisk the glaze ingredients until smooth, then drizzle over the top of the cinnamon star bread.
19. Slice, serve, and enjoy!

Storage and Reheating

I store the cinnamon star bread in an airtight container on the counter for up to 3-5 days. I like to use a baking sheet pan lid like this one here to cover any baked goods. The bread is absolutely delicious cold, but you can also pop it in the microwave for about 10 seconds to make it warm and taste like it just came out of the oven.