Paul Hollywood Cinnamon Snowflake Bread Recipe

Paul Hollywood Cinnamon Snowflake Bread Recipe brings you a stunning dessert that you won’t want to miss.

This soft, pull-apart bread is shaped like a snowflake and filled with a sweet cinnamon butter mixture. It may look complicated, but you can easily make it at home.

Paul Hollywood is a highly respected baker, and his snowflake bread is popular with many people. The soft dough and warm cinnamon filling make it a favorite treat. It looks beautiful on the table and tastes just as good.

This is a refined version of a recipe inspired by Paul Hollywood’s method. While it is not his official recipe, every step has been carefully tested to ensure it will turn out well. You can count on it to look and taste wonderful.

What Does This Cinnamon Snowflake Bread Taste Like?

Paul Hollywood’s Cinnamon Snowflake Bread has a cozy and special flavor. The bread is soft and slightly sweet with a tender texture.

A cinnamon butter filling swirls through each layer, adding warm spice to every piece you pull apart. The dough contains butter and eggs, making it richer than plain bread but still light in texture.

The cinnamon filling is sweet but not overwhelming, creating a balanced taste. Some people like to sprinkle powdered sugar on top for extra sweetness and a snowy appearance. Each pull-apart piece is soft, slightly chewy at the edges, and filled with buttery cinnamon flavor.

Paul Hollywood Cinnamon Snowflake Bread Ingredients

For the Dough:

• Strong White Bread Flour (about 4 cups): Use bread flour for better texture. You can substitute with all-purpose flour, but it might be less chewy.
• Fast-Action Dried Yeast (1 packet): This type of yeast goes directly into the flour. If you have active dry yeast, dissolve it in warm milk for 5 minutes first.
• Salt (1 teaspoon): Salt helps strengthen the dough and balances the sweetness. Use fine sea salt or kosher salt.
• Caster Sugar (about ¼ cup): Caster sugar dissolves easily in dough. You can also use granulated sugar, but it may take longer to mix in.
• Warm Milk (about ¾ cup): Warm milk adds richness and helps the yeast. Heat it to about 100-110°F. For a dairy-free option, choose oat or almond milk.
• Warm Water (about ⅓ cup): This helps bring the dough together with the milk.
• Unsalted Butter, softened (3 ½ tablespoons): Butter keeps the dough soft. You can use salted butter, but reduce the added salt. Vegan butter is a dairy-free alternative.
• Large Egg (1): This adds richness and binds the dough. For an egg-free version, use a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water, rested for 5 minutes).

For the Cinnamon Filling:

• Unsalted Butter, very soft (about 5 tablespoons): It should be easy to spread, similar to thick cream. Vegan butter works well here, too.
• Ground Cinnamon (2 teaspoons): This is the main flavor. Choose high-quality cinnamon for the best taste. Ceylon cinnamon is milder and sweeter, while Cassia cinnamon is stronger. Adjust the amount based on your taste.
• Soft Light Brown Sugar (about ⅓ cup): This adds a warm sweetness. You can use dark brown sugar for a richer flavor. Caster or granulated sugar is an option, but the taste will be simpler.

For Finishing:

• Powdered Sugar (for dusting, optional): This adds a nice snowy look and extra sweetness on top. It’s not necessary, but great for a presentation.

Essential Kitchen Equipment

1. Stand mixer with dough hook: This helps you knead the dough easily.
2. Large mixing bowl: Use this to let the dough rise.
3. Rolling pin: Roll the dough into flat circles.
4. Sharp knife or pizza cutter: Cut slits in the dough with this.
5. Baking sheet or large tray: This is for shaping the dough.
6. Parchment paper: This keeps the dough from sticking to the tray.
7. Pastry brush: Use this to spread butter on the dough evenly.
8. Kitchen scale: This helps you measure ingredients accurately.
9. Ruler or tape measure: This makes sure the circles are the right size.
10. Small bowl: Use this for mixing the filling.
11. Plastic wrap or clean kitchen towel: Cover the dough while it rises with this.
12. Fine mesh sieve: Use this to dust powdered sugar on top.

How to Make Paul Hollywood Cinnamon Snowflake Bread

1. Make the Dough: In a stand mixer, mix 500 g of strong white bread flour, 7 g of fast-action dried yeast, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 50 g of caster sugar (keep salt and yeast separate). Add warm milk, warm water, and one egg. Mix on low speed until a rough dough forms.

Knead on medium speed for 5 minutes. Add 50 g of softened butter and knead for another 5 minutes until the dough is smooth and slightly sticky.

2. First Rise: Shape the dough into a ball. Place it in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 to 1.5 hours until it doubles in size. After rising, punch it down and divide it into 4 pieces. Roll each piece into a circle about 25-26 cm in diameter.

3. Make the Cinnamon Filling: Mix 75 g softened butter, 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, and 75 g soft light brown sugar until smooth. Leave this mixture at room temperature. Place the first circle on a baking sheet. Spread a third of the cinnamon filling on top, then add the second circle and repeat. Finish with the fourth circle on top.

4. Shape the Snowflake: Mark a circle about 5-6 cm wide in the center. Cut out 16 strips from the edge to the outer edge of the dough. Twist each pair of strips (half clockwise and half counterclockwise) and seal the ends. Let the snowflake bread rest for 30-45 minutes. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).

5. Bake the Bread: Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown. If it browns too quickly, cover it with foil. Let it cool for 10 minutes, dust with powdered sugar, and serve warm to enjoy the gooey filling.

Useful Tips for Getting the Best Results

Keep Salt Away from Yeast: When you mix ingredients, place salt and yeast on opposite sides of the bowl. If salt comes into contact with yeast, it can slow it down or kill it.

Use Soft Butter: Make sure the butter for the filling is soft and easy to spread. Cold butter can tear the dough. If it’s cool in your kitchen, use the microwave on low power for 10-second intervals to soften the butter until it’s creamy.

Roll Circles to the Same Size: Make all four dough circles the same size for a neater snowflake shape. Use a ruler or tape to measure. Uneven circles can make the twists look crooked.

Press Twisted Ends Together Well: After twisting each pair of strips, press the ends together tightly. Loose ends might come apart during baking, ruining the snowflake shape.

Mark the Center Before Cutting: Always mark the center circle before cutting. Mistaking the center can make the shape fall apart. Use a small round cutter or the rim of a glass to mark it.

Watch the Color While Baking: The dough can brown quickly because of the sugar in the filling and base. Check it at 18 minutes. If the edges get dark, loosely cover them with foil for the rest of the baking time.

Cool Before Adding Powdered Sugar: Wait at least 10 minutes before dusting with powdered sugar. If the bread is too hot, the sugar will melt. A light dusting after it cools will give a nice snowy look.

Alternative Methods for Baking This Bread

1. Overnight Cold Proof Method: Instead of letting the shaped snowflake bread rise at room temperature, cover it tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate it overnight after shaping. The next morning, take it out and let it sit at room temperature for 30 to 45 minutes before baking.

This slow, cold rise gives the bread a slightly deeper flavor and is great if you want to prepare it the night before and bake it fresh in the morning.

2. Dutch Oven Method: You can use a large Dutch oven to bake this bread for a softer crust and a more even bake. Preheat the Dutch oven inside the oven before adding the bread on a piece of parchment.

Bake it covered for the first 15 minutes, then remove the lid for the last 8 to 10 minutes to let the top turn golden. This method traps steam inside, keeping the bread’s outer layer extra soft.

What to Serve with Cinnamon Snowflake Bread

This bread is always the star of the table. Its delicious smell draws everyone in. When I bake it, I like to keep things simple by serving a few items that go well with its warm, sweet cinnamon flavor. This way, I can create a special spread with minimal effort.

Here are some great options to serve alongside it: hot coffee, a latte, or a strong cup of tea; warm apple cider or hot chocolate; a bowl of fresh mixed berries or sliced oranges; whipped cream or lightly sweetened mascarpone for dipping; honey or maple syrup on the side; vanilla yogurt with granola; and a simple fruit compote made with berries and a bit of sugar.

How to Store and Reheat This Bread

After the bread cools completely, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or put it in an airtight container. It will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The cinnamon filling may firm up a bit when cold, but it will soften again when warmed.

This bread also freezes well. Let it cool completely, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and place it in a freezer-safe bag or container. It will keep in the freezer for up to 2 months. To freeze individual pieces, wrap each one separately. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator when you’re ready to use it.

How to Prepare This Bread in Advance

You can prepare the dough and shape the bread the night before you plan to serve it. After shaping, cover it tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. The next morning, take it out and let it sit at room temperature for 30 to 45 minutes, then bake as directed. This makes serving easier on the day you want to enjoy it.

To reheat individual pieces, place them on a microwave-safe plate and heat for 15 to 20 seconds. To reheat the whole bread, loosely cover it with foil and warm it in the oven at 300°F for 8 to 10 minutes. Adding a small pat of butter on top before reheating helps keep the bread moist and brings back its fresh-baked softness.

Frequently Asked Questions About This Recipe

1. What type of flour works best for this snowflake bread?

Use strong white bread flour for this recipe. This flour has more protein, which helps the dough have a better structure and a chewier texture than all-purpose flour. Bread flour also helps the dough retain its shape during twisting and shaping, ensuring the snowflake design stays neat.

2. Can the snowflake bread be made without a stand mixer?

Yes, you can make the dough by hand. First, mix all the dry ingredients. Then add the wet ingredients and stir until a rough dough forms. Place it on a lightly floured surface and knead by hand for about 10 minutes. Add the softened butter in small pieces and continue kneading for another 5 to 8 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.

It takes more work, but the result is the same.

3. How do I keep the snowflake shape from falling apart during baking?

Press the twisted ends together firmly after each twist. If the ends are loose, they may open up in the oven. Also, do not cut into the center circle when making the snowflake cuts. Keeping that center intact is important to hold the shape together while baking.

4. Can I add other fillings instead of cinnamon sugar?

Yes, you can use other fillings. Nutella, or chocolate-hazelnut spread, is a popular choice. A mix of softened butter, lemon zest, and sugar gives a nice citrus flavor. A pesto or garlic herb butter filling works well for a savory option, perfect for dinner. Just make sure any filling you use is soft and spreadable to avoid tearing the dough.

5. Why did my bread not turn golden brown on top?

This usually happens because of the oven temperature. Make sure your oven is fully preheated to 375°F before baking the bread. An oven that is not hot enough can bake the bread unevenly or keep it pale on top. Also, place your baking tray in the center of the oven for even heat distribution.

Paul Hollywood Cinnamon Rolls Recipe is a rewarding bake. The soft dough, sweet cinnamon layers, and pretty shape make it a recipe you’ll want to try again.

Give it a go, and I think you’ll be happy with how it turns out. Please leave a comment below and rate it to share how yours looked!