Sourdough Chai Spice Star Bread Recipe

If you’re like me and love the cozy warmth of chai spices paired with the rustic charm of sourdough, you’re going to absolutely adore this Sourdough Chai Spice Star Bread Recipe. It’s not only a feast for the eyes with its beautiful star shape but also a flavor-packed experience that’s surprisingly easy to make. Trust me, once you try this, you’ll want it for your breakfast, brunch, or even a special dessert. Let’s dive in and get you baking something truly unforgettable!

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

To nail this Sourdough Chai Spice Star Bread Recipe, the ingredients come together perfectly to balance spices with creamy richness and that signature sourdough tang. When you shop, try to get high-quality spices and fresh sourdough starter for the best results.

• Chai Spice Blend: Mixing your own blend gives you control over intensity and freshness — store it airtight to keep those warm flavors vibrant.
• Active Sourdough Starter: Make sure yours is bubbly and lively; it’s the secret to this bread’s lift and flavor complexity.
• Full Fat Coconut Milk: Adds richness and moisture without dairy — don’t shake the can before opening to preserve thickness.
• Raw Honey: A touch of natural sweetness that enhances the spices without overpowering.
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil: For crumb tenderness and a subtle fruity aroma.
• Vanilla Extract: Deepens the warmth of the chai spices beautifully.
• Kosher Salt: Essential for balancing flavors and helping the dough structure.
• All Purpose Flour: Provides the perfect gluten structure for this enriched dough.
• Whole Cane Sugar or Coconut Palm Sugar: For that caramel-like depth in the filling, making each bite irresistible.
• Melted Vegan Butter: Used to brush the dough, creating layers of tender, flaky texture and buttery goodness.
• Confectioner’s Sugar (optional): To dust on top for that extra festive, snowy finish.

Variations

I love mixing things up with this Sourdough Chai Spice Star Bread Recipe depending on the season or what I have on hand, but the basic framework always guarantees a winner. Feel free to tweak it to suit your personal taste or dietary needs.

• Spice it up or down: If you want a bolder chai flavor, I’ve sometimes doubled the spice filling — it makes the bread wonderfully aromatic and extra flavorful!
• Nut-free: For those with allergies, simply substitute the vegan butter with a good quality neutral oil like avocado oil and it still turns out beautifully soft.
• Sweetener swap: Using maple syrup instead of honey works too — it gives a slight earthiness that complements the spices.
• Gluten-free attempt: Though tricky with sourdough, swapping to a gluten-free flour blend and reducing hydration carefully might work if you’re comfortable experimenting.

How to Make Sourdough Chai Spice Star Bread Recipe

Step 1: Mix Your Magical Chai Spice Blend

Start by combining all those warmly fragrant spices into a jar — ground ginger, allspice, black pepper, cloves, star anise, nutmeg, cardamom, and cinnamon. Shake it well and smell the magic you created! I store mine in a cool, dry place so the aroma stays fresh, and you can use this blend in other recipes as well.

Step 2: Combine and Knead the Dough

Into your stand mixer bowl, measure out the active sourdough starter, coconut milk, honey, olive oil, vanilla, salt, and flour. I like to stir it gently by hand first to bring it all together, then switch to the dough hook. Knead on low speed for about 8-10 minutes until you have a soft, smooth dough that pulls away from the sides. If it feels too sticky, sprinkle in a bit more flour — remember, a little goes a long way!

Step 3: Let It Rise — Bulk Fermentation

Place your dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it, and leave it in a warm spot to rise until it’s doubled and pillowy — usually about 8 to 10 hours. I often make mine the night before so it’s perfectly ready by morning. If your kitchen is chilly, don’t worry; it might take a bit longer, but that slow rise improves flavor!

Step 4: Prepare the Filling

While the dough is rising, mix together the whole cane sugar (or coconut palm sugar) with 2 tablespoons of your chai spice blend. Melt your vegan butter and have it ready for brushing — this filling is what makes each layer sing with flavor.

Step 5: Shape Your Star Bread Layers

Once your dough has doubled, gently tip it out onto a lightly oiled surface. Divide into four equal parts. Roll each quarter into a ¼-inch thick round. Transfer the first round to a parchment-lined sheet pan, brush with melted butter, then sprinkle about one-third of your sugar-spice filling evenly on top.

Repeat layering and filling with the remaining dough rounds, stacking them up — finishing with a final plain dough layer on top. This stack is the canvas for your star design!

Step 6: Cut and Twist Your Star Points

Place an upside-down small glass in the center of the dough stack — this keeps the center intact as you cut. Use a sharp knife to cut the dough from the edge of the glass to the outer edge into 16 even strips. I start by cutting into quarters, then halves, and finally sixteenths to stay precise.