Vegan Chocolate Star Bread (30 Minutes)

A no-yeast, 30-minute chocolate star bread that makes an impressive bake to serve to friends and family. It is naturally vegan, uses simple ingredients and is simple to make.

I love yeasted bakes, but as I have said before, they often scare me. I worry so much while they’re rising and then when they proof a second time that they’ll rise enough… so I often like to find little shortcuts so I can still enjoy warm baked fluffy goods without all the kneading, proofing and waiting around. Plus, I know from previous bakes, that a lot of you like these no-yeast options, too!

This holiday season, I have a long list of recipes I want to create and share with you so you, in turn, can share with your loved ones. Cooking for me, really is about sharing with the ones I love; I relish in being able to send my baked goods home with friends and dropping slices of cake off at my neighbours. Of course, I also love feeding my family, too!

One thing that I was desperate to try out is a star bread or yeasted wreath of some kind, so one Sunday afternoon, I thought I may as well try my own take on this classic. There’s no-yeast, no kneading and no waiting around (apart from the 16 minutes it takes to bake). If you’ve never made a star bread before, I’d suggest reading through the steps a few times, but I also have a video showing how to make it, too.

Here’s all we need:

• Plant-based milk: as always, any milk will do. I used oat milk for this particular one.
• Vegan butter/margarine: I tend to use vegan margarine as we always have some in the fridge and love the creamy texture and the “buttery” texture.
• Self-raising flour: this is the secret ingredient that keeps this recipe no-yeast but still so fluffy and light with a crisp exterior. I haven’t yet tried this with a GF self-raising flour but will keep you informed.
• Coconut or caster sugar:” just a little sugar is needed to sweeten the dough.
• A pinch of salt: just for flavour.

That’s all we need for the 30 Minute Chocolate Star Bread dough: melt the milk and butter, stir it all together and “knead” for 1 minute. The next few steps are the important bits:

1. Divide the dough into 4 equal pieces: it’s good to be precise and weigh them if you can as even when I think I’ve been even, they never are!
2. Roll each piece of dough into a circle: make sure all the circles are the same size of thereabouts. I’m really bad at rolling dough into circles, and this recipe is forgiving if they are slightly oval.
3. Keep the circles on parchment paper: to stop them sticking to the surface and so you can lift them easily without deforming them.
4. Layer the dough: place one circle down, top with chocolate spread and mixed spice and then place the second one on top. Spread with chocolate and mixed spice and repeat with the third circle of dough. When it comes to the final pieces of just place it on top.
5. Using a small cup to make the centre: this guides your knife to make that classic star shape inside. Cut from the edge of the circle to this cup.
6. Cut the dough into 16 strips: work your way from 4 cuts then 8 and then 16.
7. Take two strips of dough and twist them outwards away from each other: then press the ends of the two strips together into a point. Work your way round to make 8 points for your star.
8. Brush with milk: and then bake your 30 Minute Chocolate Star Bread.

Take a look at the video below for a visual guide on how to make this Vegan Chocolate Star Bread:

It really is that easy. In just a few simple steps and about 30 minutes, you can have a warming slice of fluffy, festive star shaped bread and a cup of tea or coffee. It’s fully vegan and contains no-yeast so I’d like to say it’s pretty fail-proof. It’s a delicious showstopper to present to friends and family this festive season (and beyond).

The inside is light and fluffy, and the outside is crisp and golden with lots of melting chocolate and warming spices throughout – because of the pattern, you get chocolate in every mouthful!

I hope you will love this 30 Minute Chocolate Star Bread and if you are looking for other impressive bread/dough bakes, how about my:

• Quick Protein Cinnamon Rolls for 2 (No-Yeast)
• Raspberry Jam Babka (Yeasted)
• Toffee Pecan Banana Bread (No-Yeast)
• Cinnamon Raisin No Yeast Swirl Buns (No-Yeast)
• Hazelnut Chocolate Swirl Buns (No-Yeast)

Vegan Chocolate Star Bread (30 Minutes)

• Servings: 1 bread, serves 10
• Time: 30 minutes plus cooling
• Difficulty: easy
• Print

A no-yeast, 30-minute chocolate star bread that makes an impressive bake to serve to friends and family. It is naturally vegan, uses simple ingredients and is simple to make.

Ingredients

Dough:
• 250ml plant-based milk
• 40g vegan butter/margarine
• 400g self-raising flour, plus extra for dusting/rolling
• 30g coconut or caster sugar
• A pinch of salt
Filling:
• 80g chocolate spread, warmed
• 1 tsp mixed spice
• 1 tbsp plant-based milk
• To serve: icing sugar, chopped hazelnuts

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 160Fan/180*C and have a baking sheet and a few bits of parchment paper to hand.
2. Warm together the milk and butter/margarine until melted.
3. Stir together the flour, sugar and salt and pour the wet mixture into the bowl. Stir to bring to a dough and tip onto a lightly floured surface. Knead gently for 1 minute.
4. Divide into 4 equal portions (it’s good to weigh them) and roll each one into a 22-cm circle, flouring the surface as needed. Keep them on top of parchment paper to stop them sticking.
5. Place the baking tray on your surface with a piece of parchment (bigger than your circle) on top. Place the first circle of dough in the centre and spread with some of the warmed chocolate spread. Sprinkle with some mixed spice. Place the second circle of dough directly on top, spread with chocolate spread, sprinkle with mixed spice and repeat with the third circle of dough. Place the fourth circle of dough on top.
6. Position a cup (about 8-cm diameter) in the centre and cut from the edge of the cup to the edge of the dough to make 4 equal sections. Slice each section in half and in half again to make 16 strips.
7. Take two strips (side by side) and twist them outwards on themselves and press the edges together in a point. Work your way around the dough to make 8 points.
8. Brush the dough with plant-based milk and bake for 16-18 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
9. Allow to cool on a wire rack slightly before dusting with icing sugar and some chopped hazelnuts. Enjoy warm or cold. Once cold, store in an airtight container for 1 day.

I look forward to hearing what you think of this 30 Minute Chocolate Star Bread so please let me know in the comments below and tag me in your bakes! I love seeing them, I’m @nourishing.amy on Instagram and use the hashtag #nourishingamy. I’m also on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest  – please say hello!

With quick star bread love x