1-First Step: Prepare the Dough Begin by combining the warm whole milk, instant dry yeast, honey, 2 eggs, salted butter, 3 1/2 to 4 cups all-purpose flour, and kosher salt in a large bowl. Mix everything until the dough pulls away from the sides but still feels sticky; if it’s too wet, add a bit more flour one tablespoon at a time. This step takes about 5-10 minutes and sets the foundation for that soft, fluffy texture.

2-Second Step: Knead and Let Rise Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead it for about 5 minutes until it forms a smooth ball. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean cloth, and let it rise in a warm spot for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until it’s doubled in size. This rising time is crucial for developing the airy layers that make pulling apart so fun.

3-Third Step: Make the Filling While the dough rises, prepare the filling by mixing 6 tablespoons of very warm (but not melted) butter, 3/4 cup light brown sugar, and 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon in a bowl until well combined. This creates a sweet, spicy spread that will go between the dough layers, adding that irresistible cinnamon roll flavor.

4-Fourth Step: Shape the Dough Once risen, punch down the dough and divide it into 4 equal parts. Roll each part into a 10-inch circle on a floured surface. Stack the circles on a parchment-lined baking pan, spreading the filling evenly between each layer. Use a 2-inch glass as a guide in the center to help with the next steps.

5-Fifth Step: Cut and Twist With the stacked dough ready, make cuts to form the snowflake shape: first cut the dough into 4 large triangles, then halve each one twice to create 16 smaller triangles. Remove the glass from the center. Now, twist pairs of adjacent wedges twice away from each other and pinch the ends to seal, forming the pretty snowflake design. Cover and let it rise for another 45 minutes, or refrigerate overnight if you’re planning ahead.

6-Sixth Step: Bake the Snowflake Preheat your oven to 350°F and brush the risen dough with 1 beaten egg for a golden crust. Bake for 15 minutes, then spoon back any sauce that has leaked out, and continue baking for another 15 minutes until it’s golden brown and fully cooked. This timing ensures the inside is soft while the outside is perfectly crisp.

7-Final Step: Add Sauce and Serve For the butterscotch sauce, boil 6 tablespoons butter, 1/2 cup dark brown sugar, and 1/2 cup heavy cream in a saucepan for 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in 2 tablespoons whiskey and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract until smooth. Drizzle the sauce over the baked snowflake and dust with confectioners’ sugar. Serve warm for the best gooey experience, and it serves about 10 people at around 740 calories per serving. For similar treats, check out our cinnamon-sugar donut holes recipe for more baking ideas.