Sourdough Chai Spice Star Bread Recipe

If you’re looking to wow your friends and family with something both beautiful and delicious, you’re going to absolutely love this Sourdough Chai Spice Star Bread Recipe. I first made it on a cozy weekend morning, and it quickly became a favorite around my kitchen table. The combination of warm chai spices and soft, fluffy sourdough is like a hug in bread form. Trust me, once you try this recipe, you’ll want to make it again and again—perfect for holiday breakfasts or a special weekend treat.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

What’s great about this Sourdough Chai Spice Star Bread Recipe is the way the spices blend seamlessly with the rich, creamy coconut milk and active sourdough starter. Using raw honey adds just the right touch of natural sweetness without overpowering the chai flavors.

• Ground ginger: Adds a lovely bit of warmth and mild spice.
• Ground all-spice: Brings subtle hints of cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove.
• Black pepper: A whisper of heat to balance the sweetness.
• Ground cloves: Intensifies the aromatic profile.
• Ground star anise: Gives a licorice-like depth to the spice mix.
• Grated whole nutmeg: Freshly grated nutmeg really makes a difference with its sharp, earthy notes.
• Ground cardamom: A bright, floral spice that feels luxurious.
• Ground cinnamon: The heart of chai spice; you’ll want this in generous amounts.
• Active sourdough starter: This brings the bread’s signature tang and rise — make sure it’s bubbly and active!
• Full fat coconut milk: For richness and a tender crumb.
• Raw honey: Adds sweetness and moisture, plus it complements the spices beautifully.
• Extra virgin olive oil: Keeps the bread soft and adds subtle fruitiness.
• Vanilla extract: Enhances the overall aroma and flavor depth.
• Kosher salt: Balances sweetness and strengthens gluten.
• All purpose flour: The backbone of the dough; you want good quality for best texture.
• Whole cane sugar or coconut palm sugar: Used in the filling for caramelized sweetness.
• Chai spice blend: The star of the show, made from the spices above.
• Melted vegan butter: For that rich buttery flavor, plus used to brush layers and top.
• Confectioner’s sugar (optional): A pretty dusting for the finished bread if you want to get fancy.

Variations

I love how versatile this Sourdough Chai Spice Star Bread Recipe can be—you can tweak the spice levels or change up the filling to suit your mood. Feel free to experiment; I promise the results will still be delicious.

• Nut-Free Variation: I once swapped vegan butter for coconut oil and it worked beautifully for my nut-allergic friend.
• Extra Spice Kick: If you like it spicy, add a pinch of cayenne or some fresh grated ginger to the spice mix—it really wakes up the flavors.
• Savory Twist: You can reduce the sugar and instead add finely chopped fresh rosemary and a sprinkle of sea salt between layers for a savory version, which my family also enjoys as a snack.
• Seasonal Decoration: Around the holidays, I love adding a sprinkle of crushed crystallized ginger on top before baking—it makes it extra festive!

How to Make Sourdough Chai Spice Star Bread Recipe

Step 1: Get Your Chai Spice Blend Ready

The very first thing I do is combine all the spices in a jar—ginger, all-spice, cloves, star anise, nutmeg, cardamom, cinnamon, black pepper. Shake it up and store it somewhere cool and dry. This blend is your magic dust and will keep beautifully for future batches, too. Mixing all the spices upfront saves a lot of time later!

Step 2: Mix and Knead the Dough

Next, I measure the sourdough starter, coconut milk, raw honey, olive oil, vanilla, salt, flour, and sugar into my stand mixer bowl. I give it a quick stir to bring it all together into a rough dough. Then, using the dough hook on low speed, I knead for about 8-10 minutes. You’ll want a soft, smooth ball that pulls away nicely from the bowl. If your dough feels sticky, sprinkle in a little more flour — I’ve learned it’s better to go slow here than add too much at once. No mixer? No worries! A good 10-minute hand kneading session works great on a lightly floured surface.

Step 3: Bulk Fermentation—Patience Is Key

Place the dough in an oiled bowl, cover with a towel or cling wrap, and let it rise until doubled and pillowy—about 8-10 hours. I usually do this overnight; by morning, the dough is perfectly ready for shaping. If your kitchen is cool, it might take a bit longer, so be patient. I learned this the hard way when my bread was under-proofed and dense!

Step 4: Prepare the Filling and Assemble

While the dough ferments, mix your sugar and chai spice blend together for the filling. Have melted vegan butter ready in a separate bowl with a pastry brush too. Once risen, transfer your dough onto a lightly oiled surface, divide into four equal quarters, then roll each into roughly a 1/4 inch thick round. Stack the rounds on parchment paper, brushing each layer with melted butter and sprinkling a third of the sugar-spice mix. The layering is what gives this bread those beautiful, flavorful swirls.

Step 5: Shape the Star

Place a small inverted glass in the center of the stacked dough. Cut from the rim of the glass outward into sixteen equal segments—start by halving, then quarters, eighths, and sixteenths. Press the glass down lightly for an indentation, then remove it. Take two adjacent dough strips and twist them away from each other, like mirrored arms of a star. Repeat all around to form an eight-point star. Pinch the tips of each star point to keep them intact during baking. This step felt intimidating at first, but once I saw the star come to life, I loved the process—it’s a real showstopper!

Step 6: Proof and Bake

Brush the star top generously with melted butter and cover it with a clean tea towel. Let it proof in a warm spot for about an hour, or until it puffs up nicely. Preheat your oven to 400°F (205°C). Bake the bread for 20 minutes at this high temp, then reduce the heat to 350°F (175°C) and continue baking for another 10 minutes. Your bread is done when it’s dark golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom—classic sourdough tell! Cooling it on a rack before serving helps the texture settle perfectly.

Before serving, I like to brush the top again with melted butter for that gorgeous sheen, then sprinkle a little confectioner’s sugar for an extra festive touch. This bread smells incredible while baking—your kitchen will thank you.

How to Serve Sourdough Chai Spice Star Bread Recipe

Garnishes

I usually keep garnishes simple—a light dusting of confectioner’s sugar lets the bread’s beautiful star shape shine without overpowering. But I’ve also sprinkled some crushed toasted pistachios for a bit of crunch and color, which my family really enjoys!

Side Dishes

This star bread pairs perfectly with a warm cup of chai tea or coffee. For a more substantial meal, try serving it alongside fresh fruit or a dollop of coconut yogurt. I sometimes add a little smear of almond butter for an extra protein boost—it’s surprisingly delightful!

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve placed the star bread on a wooden board surrounded by edible flowers or sprigs of fresh rosemary to enhance the rustic feel. Another fun idea is to drizzle a simple glaze of powdered sugar and coconut milk over the cooled bread for a festive shine. Your guests will be impressed by both the taste and the show-stopping appearance.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled completely, I store leftover slices in an airtight container at room temperature, and they stay soft for 2-3 days. If I’m serving the bread later in the week, I prefer to refrigerate it wrapped tightly in foil or plastic wrap to keep it fresh longer.

Freezing

If you want to make this star bread ahead of time, it freezes beautifully! I slice it first, then freeze the pieces in a zip-top bag separated by parchment layers. This way, you can pull out just what you need for toast or snacks. When thawed, it tastes nearly as fresh as the day it was baked.

Reheating

Reheat slices in a toaster oven or a preheated 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes for a warm, soft texture with a slightly crisp crust. Avoid microwaving if you can; it tends to make the bread gummy rather than fluffy.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Sourdough Chai Spice Star Bread Recipe is truly one of those recipes that brings joy not just in eating but in making—its gorgeous shape, its heady seasonal spices, and that tender crumb all combine for a special experience. I still remember the first time I twisted those dough strips into star points and the sense of pride I felt sharing it fresh out of the oven. Give it a try; you’ll find it’s easier than it looks and way more delicious than you expect. Happy baking, my friend!

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