Description

This Cheesy Garlic Butter and Herb Star Bread is a visually stunning and irresistibly flavorful bread perfect for sharing. Layered with creamy Boursin garlic and herb cheese and a blend of fresh herbs, this star-shaped loaf combines soft, buttery dough with a rich, cheesy filling. It’s an impressive yet approachable recipe that steals the show at any gathering.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough Ingredients

½ cup Warm Water (around 110°F for optimal results)
2 teaspoons Sugar (feeds the yeast)
1 packet Active Dry Yeast (or 2 ¼ teaspoons)
3 ½ cups All-Purpose Flour (substitute with gluten-free flour blend if needed)
1 teaspoon Baking Powder (adds extra lift)
12 tablespoons Cold Unsalted Butter (cut into pats)
1 teaspoon Salt (elevates flavor)
½ cup Milk (almond milk makes a great dairy alternative)

Cheese Filling

5 oz Boursin Garlic and Herb Cheese (substitute with Rondele or Aloutte if desired)
¼ cup Shredded Parmesan (Pecorino Romano can also work)
1 tablespoon Chopped Fresh Parsley (or switch to dried herbs)
1 tablespoon Butter (softened)
1 teaspoon Fresh Thyme (or use dried thyme)
1 Large Egg (beaten)

Finishing Ingredients

2 tablespoons Melted Butter (for basting)
1-2 cloves Garlic (minced)
½ teaspoon Italian Seasoning (substitute with your favorite dried mix)
½ teaspoon Parsley (fresh is better)
¼ teaspoon Basil (use fresh for the best flavor)
1 beaten egg (for egg wash before baking)

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Instructions

Prepare the Dough: Heat ½ cup of warm water to around 110°F and stir in 2 teaspoons of sugar. Sprinkle 1 packet of active dry yeast on top and let it sit until frothy, about 5 minutes. In a large bowl, combine 3 ½ cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, and 1 teaspoon salt. Add the yeast mixture, 12 tablespoons cold butter, and ½ cup milk. Knead the mixture until a smooth dough ball forms. Cover the dough and let it rise for 1 hour until it doubles in size.
Make the Cheese Filling: In a mixing bowl, blend 5 oz Boursin garlic and herb cheese, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, 1 tablespoon softened butter, 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, and the beaten large egg. Mix well until the filling is smooth and well combined.
Shape the Star Bread: Roll out half of the dough into an 11-inch circle. Spread the cheese filling evenly over this dough, leaving a ½ inch border around the edges. Sprinkle ¼ cup shredded Parmesan cheese on top. Roll out the second half of the dough into a similar-sized circle and place it over the filling, sealing the edges tightly.
Create the Star Shape: Mark a small circle at the center of the dough stack. Slice the outer dough into 16 equal sections, carefully twisting each pair of adjacent slices away from each other to create the star pattern. Let the shaped bread proof for an additional 30 minutes to rise slightly.
Bake the Bread: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Brush the star bread with 1 beaten egg for a shiny golden finish. Bake the bread for 23 to 36 minutes, until it turns golden brown and crusty.
Cool and Serve: Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy the warm, cheesy, buttery bread fresh from the oven.

Notes

Ensure the water temperature is around 110°F to activate the yeast properly without killing it.
You can substitute the Boursin garlic and herb cheese with similar creamy cheese spreads like Rondele or Aloutte depending on availability.
Using fresh herbs enhances flavor, but dried herbs can be used as alternatives.
For a dairy-free option, substitute milk with almond milk and use a vegan butter alternative.
Kneading the dough well and allowing proper rising time ensures a soft, fluffy bread texture.
Be careful when twisting the dough slices to maintain the star shape and prevent tearing.
Adjust baking time depending on your oven’s heat distribution; start checking at 23 minutes.