I was the host kitchen for the Bread Baking Babes (BBB) this month, and I had a delightful time.

I chose a bread that had been floating around the web for a long time but I hadn’t had a chance to make yet.  This bread goes by many names — Nutella Brioche Flower, Star Bread or Snowflake Bread — to name a few and makes a show-stopping display.  It can be savory or sweet depending on what filling is used, and even if it isn’t shaped perfectly, it still turns out awesome.

 

 

The flowers/stars/snowflakes the Babes made:

They look the same, yet different. I love it!

 

I’m thrilled that so many bakers were as excited as I was to make this bread.  I had fun watching all of the different versions popping up on Facebook and in my inbox.  Even members from other baking groups joined in the fun and baked the star bread.  Not all of them shared their photos with us but I saw them posted everywhere.

I invite you to feast your eyes on the roundup of magnificent brioche breads made by the Bread Baking Buddies.  They filled their loaves with all sorts of delightful things.   You won’t be disappointed.

 

The flowers/stars/snowflakes the Buddies baked:

Gilad (http://giladayalonvegan.vkav.org) made a vegan version, based on roux. He substituted non-vegan chocolate paste (Nutella) with a vegan one on which he sprinkled cinnamon. He had a lot of fun shaping this bread with his son.  His post is in English and Hebrew and he even did a YouTube video with instructions.

 

Sue made a beautiful Nutella Brioche Bread.  I’m delighted she baked along with us this month.  Lovely shaping and photo.

 

Robert sounded so excited when he posted a photo of his bread on FB.  He said, “I did it I did it!”  He sure did.  He mentioned that he had a bit of trouble rolling out the dough in a circle… me too.  It just takes patience and using parchment paper does make things easier.

 

Kelly (http://amessykitchen.blogspot.com) chose an apricot and cream cheese filling: apricot, cream cheese, apricot, for the three layers.  She said the scrap bun she made tasted totally amazing!  It looks amazing.  I loved the drizzled glaze.

 

This was Angelina’s first post with us. She doesn’t blog but she sure did an awesome job and took a fabulous photo. She made this bread to take to call her first Square Dance. How cool is that!

 

Judy (Judy Gross Eats http://wandasue22.blogspot.com) made her version with Speculoos Cookie Butter.  It sounds divine!  What a perfect and beautifully-shaped brioche flower.

 

Jessica said she recently found the BBB.  She couldn’t resist making a Jam Brioche Flower Bread because she is currently work on a book about recipes using jam. She used chocolate blueberry jam for the filling.  Yum! She also said, “This is a great recipe for taking anywhere – it is so pretty, and delicious and downright USEFUL.”  I totally agree.

 

Peggy posted on FB that “This was fun to make. Very easy. Not overly sweet. It was delicious while still warm and gooey.”  It looks wonderful!

 

Renee related that she had some problems with the pieces staying pressed together so she improvised and used a chopstick to garnish the ends and the middle. What a great idea! The filling is made of cinnamon, sugar, cocoa powder and cardamom. They enjoyed it Christmas morning.  It sounds divine!

 

Lindsay said this was the first time she baked along. She didn’t think she quite mastered the twist, but I think it’s perfect. She served it for Christmas Eve brunch!  Lovely, just lovely!

 

 

Laura (cafebacaro.blogspot.it) made a gorgeous Brioche Snowflake.  She said, “In Italian we say “anche l’occhio vuole la sua parte”, which means that even the eye has to be pleased.”  Well, these eyes are definitely pleased.

 

Louise made a Savory Star Braid filled with spinach and cheese for Christmas Eve dinner. She said her family was very happy. I don’t blame them. It looks and sounds delicious!

 

Louise made another Star Bread for New Year’s Day.  This one is Nutella filled Swiss Zopf. Gorgeous!

 

Carola (sweetandthatsit.blogspot.ch) made a Brioche Flower with Spiced Prune Mousse – Fior di Brioche con Mousse di Prugne Speziata.  She had some leftover dough so she made a double decker brioche flower.  Show off!  “Wow” is all I have to say.  And, she used spelt.

 

Karen (http://www.karenskitchenstories.com)  called her bread a “wild flower”.  She filled hers with cherry preserves, which she said made the layers quite slippery.  Slippery layers, I like that.  It looks awesome!  I bet it tasted just as good. Gorgeous photo!

 

Trudi filled her beautiful Snowflake Star Bread with a butter brown sugar mix with cardamom.  I love the sound of that.  Now I want to make this bread again.

 

Bonnie (runthiskitchen) decided to try the Brioche as well. She said “… it was DELICOUS! I had NO idea Nutella was so yummy!”  I didn’t either.  I love the Nutella oozing out of this one.

 

Soep Kipje (http://www.ipernity.com/doc/soepkipje/36422786) baked this beautiful Brioche Flower.  Lovely, just lovely and perfect shaping.

 

 

Way to go Buddies! You guys and gals continue to amaze me with your bread-baking finesse.

Thanks so much for baking with us this month.

 

Happy Baking!

Cathy