Save The first time I brought this snowflake to a Christmas morning brunch, my cousin actually gasped when she saw it. We had all been in our pajamas for hours, drinking coffee and waiting for something special to happen, and there it was on the counter all golden and twisting like something out of a winter fairy tale. My aunt had taught me the technique the year before, showing me how to twist the strips away from each other with confident hands, but I had never attempted it for a crowd until that morning.
Last winter my neighbor texted me at 8 AM because she had seen my Instagram story and needed to make something impressive for her in laws who were visiting unexpectedly. I walked her through the rising time over voice messages while she kept checking the dough with that nervous energy we all know when baking for people we want to impress. She called me two hours later to say her mother in law had actually asked for the recipe before leaving the table.
Ingredients
- All purpose flour: Provides structure for the layered dough while keeping it tender enough to pull apart easily
- Active dry yeast: Essential for getting those beautiful puffy layers that separate during baking
- Warm milk: Activates the yeast and adds fat for a softer crumb
- Unsalted butter: Use it melted in the dough and softened for spreading between layers
- Light brown sugar: Creates a deeper molasses flavor that pairs perfectly with cinnamon
- Ground cinnamon: The star flavor that should smell strong and fresh when you open the jar
- Powdered sugar: Makes a smooth drizzle that sets just enough to look pretty
- Pure vanilla extract: Rounds out the icing and makes it taste professionally made
Instructions
- Wake up the yeast:
- Combine warm milk sugar and yeast in a large bowl letting it stand until you see a frothy layer on top
- Mix the dough:
- Add melted butter egg and salt then gradually mix in flour until a soft dough forms
- Knead and rise:
- Knead on a floured surface for 5 to 7 minutes until smooth then cover and let rise for 1 hour
- Prepare the filling:
- Stir together brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl
- Roll the layers:
- Divide dough into 3 pieces and roll each into a 12 inch circle
- Stack and fill:
- Place one circle on parchment paper spread with half the butter and sprinkle with half the cinnamon sugar then repeat
- Shape the snowflake:
- Place a glass in the center cut 16 strips radiating outward then twist pairs away from each other twice
- Second rise:
- Cover and let rest for 15 minutes while oven preheats to 350°F
- Bake golden:
- Bake for 22 to 25 minutes until deeply golden all over
- Finish with icing:
- Whisk powdered sugar milk and vanilla until smooth then drizzle generously
Save My daughter now requests this for her birthday instead of cake, which tells you everything about how special it feels to eat something with your hands surrounded by people pulling pieces from the same center. We started making tiny individual snowflakes one year when she wanted to bring them to school and her teacher told me they were the first homemade treat to disappear from the potluck table.
Make Ahead Magic
You can absolutely assemble the entire snowflake the night before and refrigerate it before the second rise. Let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes while the oven preheats and it will puff up beautifully. I have done this for Christmas morning and it makes the day feel so much more relaxed knowing the hardest part is already done.
Filling Variations
Sometimes I swap half the brown sugar for white sugar when I want something less molasses forward. Other times I add orange zest to the filling for a brightness that cuts through all that sweetness. The most popular variation in my house is definitely adding toasted pecans between layers because the crunch gives you something to chew between all that soft dough.
Serving Suggestions
This snowflake is best served warm but still incredibly good at room temperature if you are transporting it somewhere. Set out a small serving spoon or fork for people who might not want to pull with their hands. Keep plenty of napkins nearby because the filling gets wonderfully gooey.
- Pair with strong black coffee to cut through the richness
- Serve alongside fresh fruit to balance the sweetness
- Make it the centerpiece of a winter brunch spread
Save There is something about pulling apart pastry together that creates the kind of conversation that only happens around shared food. Make this for someone you love.
Recipe Questions & Answers
- → How do I shape the dough into a snowflake?
Roll the dough into three layers, stack them with cinnamon sugar filling, cut into strips around a center glass, and twist pairs of strips twice before pinching ends to form points.
- → Can I add nuts or raisins to the filling?
Yes, chopped toasted pecans or raisins can be mixed into the cinnamon sugar filling to add texture and flavor.
- → What is the best way to achieve a soft dough texture?
Use warm milk, melted butter, and knead the dough until smooth and elastic. Let it rise until doubled for the pillowy texture.
- → How should I store leftovers to keep them fresh?
Store cooled pieces in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days, or freeze for longer storage.
- → Is it possible to make the dough richer?
For a richer dough, substitute half the warm milk with heavy cream to enhance flavor and softness.