Cinnamon Star Bread Recipe

• Prepare the cinnamon star roll dough by mixing the warm milk, melted butter, maple syrup, and salt. Sprinkle the active dry yeast evenly across the top of the mixture, stir gently, and let it sit for about 10 minutes.
• Add the all-purpose flour and mix until a dough forms. Leaving the dough in the bowl, form it into a round mound and cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel. Allow it to sit for an hour. I like to sit my bowl on top of an oven preheated to 350 or in the sun. The warmth helps the dough rise faster. Expect the dough to nearly double in size.
• After the dough has risen for an hour place it on a floured sheet of parchment paper and divide it into 3 balls. On the parchment paper, roll one dough ball into a ⅓ inch thick circle (add more flour if the dough is too sticky to roll). Spread half of the the softened butter, sugar and cinnamon on top. Roll out your second ball into another ⅓ inch thick circle and place it on top of the first. Spread the other half of the butter, sugar, and cinnamon on top. Roll out the third ball of dough and place it on top of the stack.
• Place a small bowl in the center of the dough and press down gently to create a circle within the center of the dough. Then, using a sharp knife, slice strips of dough around the circle slicing from the circle to the outer edge of the dough.
• Use your hands to take two strips that are side by side and twist them together to form a point of your star. Repeat until you've used all of the strips of dough. You should have many points on your star now. See photos for helpful instructions here. Transfer the entire sheet of parchment paper with the cinnamon star on it into your round baking dish or onto a baking sheet.
• Preheat the oven to 350. Cover your star with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel and let it rise again in your warm spot, this time only for 30 minutes. Once it is done rising, place it in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes.
• While the Cinnamon Star Bread is baking, make the cream cheese frosting by using an electric hand mixer to mix together the softened butter, powdered sugar, and cream cheese together. Allow the cinnamon star bread to cool and spread the icing over top. Serve warm and enjoy!