Holiday Star Bread (with chocolate!)

from Zoe Bakes and Artisan Bread in 5 website

Eva and I made this for New Year's Day 2019!

Holiday Star Bread
2 pounds Challah

3/4 c. water

1/2 T. yeast

1/2 T. salt

2 eggs, beaten

1/4 c. butter, melted

1/4 c. honey

3.5 c. flour

Let rise, covered, for 2 hours then refrigerate

Divide the Challah into four equal pieces. Roll the pieces into balls, and let rest for 20 minutes, covering with plastic wrap.

In a small bowl, mix together the sugar, pumpkin pie spice, and salt.
OR spread with Nutella!

With a rolling pin, roll out all the dough balls into 10-inch circles. Place one of the circles on a piece of parchment paper. Brush with some of the egg wash with a pastry brush, and sprinkle with 1/3 of the sugar mixture.

Place another circle on top of the first circle, and brush with egg wash and sprinkle with another 1/3 of sugar. Repeat with one more circle, then place the final circle on top.

Place a 2 1/2-inch biscuit cutter (or other round object) in the center of the circle, and then use a bench scraper to cut the circle into 16 equal strips (starting at the circle and out to the end), cutting through all the layers.

Take two pieces of dough, and twist them away from each other twice. Repeat around the whole circle.

Pinch the ends of the pairs of strips firmly together to create the star (you should end up with 8 points).

Remove the biscuit cutter. Transfer the star on the parchment tobaking sheet. Cover the star gently with plastic wrap and let rise for 45 minutes – 1 hour, until a bit puffy. During this time, preheat the oven to 400F. Before putting into the oven, brush the star with egg wash. Bake for 20-35 minutes, until golden brown.

Remove from the oven and let cool on a wire rack for 15-20 minutes. Dust with powdered sugar if desired. Best eaten the day it’s made.