Introduction

This Cheesy Garlic Butter and Herb Star Bread is a beautiful, flavorful centerpiece perfect for sharing. Soft, buttery dough pairs with a rich garlic and herb cheese filling, baked to golden perfection and brushed with a savory garlic butter glaze. It’s as fun to make as it is delicious to eat.

Several golden brown bread rolls with a shiny, slightly crispy crust if shown on a white plate. The bread is twisted or braided with a soft, fluffy white inside that looks very light. The top of the bread is sprinkled with green herbs, adding texture and color. In the background, more bread rests on a black cooling rack, and two stacked white bowls sit calmly. A soft white cloth is partly under the plate, all placed on a white marbled surface with a gentle, neutral gray wall behind. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

½ cup warm water (about 110˚F)
2 teaspoons sugar
1 packet active dry yeast (2 ¼ teaspoons)
3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
12 tablespoons cold unsalted butter (cut into small pats)
1 teaspoon salt
½ cup milk
1 (5 oz) package soft Boursin Garlic and Herb Cheese (or Rondele/Aloutte)
¼ cup shredded Parmesan
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
1 tablespoon butter (softened)
1 teaspoon fresh thyme (finely chopped)
1 large egg (beaten)
2 tablespoons melted butter (for topping)
1-2 garlic cloves (minced)
½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon parsley (dried or fresh)
¼ teaspoon basil (dried)

Instructions

Step 1: In a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, stir warm water and sugar until dissolved. Add yeast and let sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
Step 2: In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this flour mixture and cold butter pats into the mixer bowl.
Step 3: As the dough kneads, slowly pour in the milk. Once mixed, turn dough out onto a floured surface and knead until smooth and formed into a ball.
Step 4: Place the dough ball in a greased bowl, cover with a towel, and let rise for 1 hour.
Step 5: Meanwhile, mix Boursin cheese, parsley, softened butter, thyme, and beaten egg in a small bowl until smooth to create the filling.
Step 6: Once risen, turn dough onto a floured surface and knead briefly. Pat dough to one-inch thickness and divide in half.
Step 7: Line a rimless baking sheet or pizza pan with parchment paper. Roll one half of the dough into an 11-inch round and transfer to the pan.
Step 8: Spread the cheese filling evenly over this dough, leaving a ½ inch border. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese evenly on top.
Step 9: Roll out the second half of dough into an 11-inch round and place over the filling. Seal the edges by pinching together.
Step 10: Place the rim of a small drinking glass in the center and gently press down to create a ring. Make 4 equally spaced cuts from the ring to the edge, then 4 more cuts evenly between those, for a total of 16 slices.
Step 11: Starting from the top, twist pairs of adjacent slices away from each other 3 times and pinch the ends to form points. Repeat until all 8 pairs have twists and points.
Step 12: Let the formed star bread proof for another 30 minutes.
Step 13: Preheat oven to 400°F. If needed, pinch the edges of the bread to reseal. Brush the entire bread with beaten egg.
Step 14: Bake for 20-33 minutes, until golden brown. Three minutes before done, baste with the garlic butter topping (see next step), then finish baking.
Step 15: To make the garlic butter topping, melt 2 tablespoons butter and stir in minced garlic, Italian seasoning, parsley, and basil.
Step 16: Let the bread cool for 5 minutes on the pan before serving. Enjoy with bread dipping oil if desired.

Tips & Variations

Use cold butter in small pats for a flaky texture in the dough.
Fresh herbs can be substituted for dried in the garlic butter topping for a brighter flavor.
Try adding cooked bacon or sun-dried tomatoes into the cheese filling for added savory notes.
If you don’t have Boursin cheese, cream cheese blended with garlic and herbs works well as a substitute.
Use a pizza stone instead of a baking sheet for a crisper crust.

Storage

Store leftover star bread covered at room temperature for up to 2 days or wrapped tightly in foil in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven for 5-10 minutes to refresh the crust. It can also be frozen wrapped well in foil for up to 2 months; thaw overnight before reheating.

How to Serve

A large, golden-brown twisted bread shaped like a flower with multiple twisted segments radiating from the center, each segment showing a shiny, herb-speckled crust with visible flecks of seasoning and a soft, flaky texture inside. Behind the bread is a white bowl with a honeycomb pattern filled with a dark golden liquid dressing speckled with herbs and spices. To the left, there are stacked white plates with two forks resting on top, all placed on a surface with a white marbled texture, and a white cloth casually draped in the background. The photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this bread without a stand mixer?

Yes, you can mix and knead the dough by hand using a large bowl and a floured surface. It will take more effort but works just as well.

What if I don’t have fresh thyme or parsley?

Dried herbs can be used instead, but reduce the quantity by about one-third since dried herbs are more concentrated. You can also omit or substitute with Italian seasoning.