Cheesy Sourdough Star Bread

 

This Cheesy Sourdough Star Bread is made with a soft dough layered with roasted garlic butter and melty mozzarella. Twisted into a star shape, it makes the perfect savory center piece for any gathering.

It takes a bit of time to make it, but it's nothing when you see the finished product!

The original recipe is here  https://countryroadssourdough.com/cheesy-sourdough-star-bread/

Ingredients 

• ▢ 300 grams milk, warmed to 100℉, 1 ¼ cup
• ▢ 55 grams butter, melted, ¼ cup
• ▢ 1 large egg, 50 grams
• ▢ 25 grams granulated sugar, 2 Tablespoons
• ▢ 10 grams salt, 2 teaspoons
• ▢ 200 grams active sourdough starter, scant 1 cup
• ▢ 600 grams all-purpose flour, 4 ¼ cups

Filling

• ▢ 30-40 grams garlic, 1 small head 
• ▢ 114 grams butter, ½ cup
• ▢ 5 grams fresh parsley, ¼ cup
• ▢ 400 grams mozzarella cheese, 3 ¾ cups

Egg wash

• ▢ 1 egg
• ▢ 1 teaspoon water

Instructions 

• Mix together the dough ingredients in a bowl or straight edge container until combined. Place the dough on a lightly floured surface and knead the dough for a couple of minutes until the dough is soft and forms a smooth ball. Add a little extra flour if the dough is too sticky to work with. Alternatively, you can knead it in a stand mixer with the dough hook attachment on low speed for a few minutes.

  300 grams milk, 55 grams butter, 1 large egg, 25 grams granulated sugar, 10 grams salt, 200 grams active sourdough starter, 600 grams all-purpose flour
• Set the dough in a warm spot covered, and leave to rise until the dough has doubled in size. At 80°F, it takes about 4-5 hours. 

  Alternatively, you can leave the dough to rise overnight at 68-70°F.
• Meanwhile, prepare the filling. Roast a head of garlic by cutting off the top of the head and peel off excess skin. Wrap the garlic head in foil with a drizzle of oil on top. Roast at 400ºF for about 40 minutes or until soft. 

  30-40 grams garlic
• Once roasted, squeeze out the garlic and beat with the butter and fresh parsley.

  114 grams butter, 5 grams fresh parsley
• Dump the dough onto a lightly floured work surface and divide into four equal pieces.
• Roll out one section in a 9-inch diameter circle. I like to roll it on a round silicone mat. Repeat with the remaining three balls. 
• Place one piece of dough down on the silicone mat or on a piece of parchment paper. Spread ⅓ of the garlic butter mixture on top of the dough and sprinkle with ⅓ of the cheese.
• 

  Place a second layer of dough on top. Repeat that 2 more times, ending with dough on top.
• Place a shot glass or similar sized cup in the center of the dough. Begin by cutting the dough into 4 equal sections, stopping at the cup so the center stays intact. Then cut each section into an additional 4 equal sections. Use a sharp knife or a pizza cutter to easily cut the dough into equal strips. Now you should have 16 cuts around the dough.
• Take 2 strips of dough and twist them in opposite directions two or three times. Squeeze the ends together. Repeat this 7 more times.
• 
• Place the star bread onto a rimmed sheet pan and cover it with a lid or foil. Let the dough rise in a warm spot for about 1-2 hours to rise more until it looks puffy and aerated.
• Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Make an egg wash and brush it on top of the star with a pastry brush. Bake for 40 minutes uncovered.
  
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