Description
Delight in these Apple Cheesecake Buns featuring a soft, fluffy dough filled with rich cream cheese and fresh, tender apples. Topped with a buttery crumble and drizzled with a sweet glaze, they combine the best of creamy and fruity flavors in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough Ingredients
- ¾ cup warm milk
- 1 packet active dry yeast (about 2¼ tsp)
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 large egg
- ½ tsp salt
Filling Ingredients
- 6 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and finely chopped
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
Crumble Topping
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup sugar
Glaze
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 tbsp milk or water
- ½ tsp vanilla extract (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a small bowl, dissolve the active dry yeast in the warm milk and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until frothy. In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Add the yeast mixture, softened butter, and egg. Knead the dough until smooth and elastic, about 8-10 minutes. Cover the dough with a damp towel and let it rise in a warm place for 1 to 1.5 hours until doubled in size.
- Prepare the Filling: While the dough rises, mix the softened cream cheese with sugar and cinnamon until smooth. In a separate bowl, toss the chopped apples with a little sugar and cinnamon to enhance flavor.
- Make the Crumble Topping: Combine flour and sugar in a bowl. Add cold, cubed butter and use your fingers or a pastry cutter to mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Refrigerate until ready to use.
- Shape the Buns: Once the dough has risen, punch it down and divide it into evenly sized pieces (about 8-10). Flatten each piece into a small circle. Spread a spoonful of the cream cheese mixture onto the center, followed by some of the chopped apples. Fold the dough over to enclose the filling and seal the edges.
- Add Crumble and Bake: Place the filled buns on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Sprinkle the crumble topping generously over each bun. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake the buns for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through.
- Prepare and Add Glaze: While buns are baking, whisk powdered sugar with milk (start with 1 tbsp) and vanilla extract until smooth. Adjust consistency for drizzling. Once buns are baked and slightly cooled, drizzle the sweet glaze over them.
- Serve: Allow the buns to cool for 10 minutes before serving to enjoy the perfect balance of warm, gooey filling and crunchy topping.
Notes
- Use tart apple varieties like Granny Smith for a nice contrast of sweetness.
- Ensure the cream cheese is softened to avoid lumps in the filling.
- The crumble topping can be made ahead and kept refrigerated.
- Adjust milk quantity in glaze to achieve desired drizzling consistency.
- The buns are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
Keywords: Apple cheesecake buns, crumble topping, sweet glaze, baked apple buns, cream cheese filling, fruit-filled pastries