Description
Delight in these soft and fluffy Apple Cheesecake Buns, featuring a tangy cream cheese filling layered with sweet cinnamon-sugar sautéed apples. Perfect for a cozy breakfast or an indulgent snack, these buns combine the comforting flavors of classic apple pie and creamy cheesecake in a tender yeast dough.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough
- 1 package active dry yeast (about 2 1/4 teaspoons)
- 1/4 cup warm water (110°F to 115°F)
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 3/4 cup warm milk (110°F to 115°F)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg
- 3 1/2 to 4 cups all-purpose flour
Cheesecake Filling
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Apple Filling
- 2 cups diced apples (about 2 medium apples)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons butter
Instructions
- Dissolve Yeast: In a large mixing bowl, dissolve the active dry yeast in warm water (110°F to 115°F). Let it sit for about 5 minutes until it becomes frothy and bubbly, indicating that the yeast is active.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: Stir in the sugar, warm milk, melted butter, salt, and egg into the yeast mixture until combined well.
- Add Flour: Gradually add 3 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft and slightly sticky dough forms. If the dough is too sticky, add more flour a little at a time until manageable.
- Knead Dough: Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 5-7 minutes until the dough becomes smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky to the touch.
- First Rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 to 1.5 hours until it doubles in size.
- Prepare Cheesecake Filling: While the dough rises, beat the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract together in a bowl until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Prepare Apple Filling: In a separate bowl, combine diced apples, ground cinnamon, and brown sugar. Melt butter in a pan over medium heat and sauté the apple mixture for about 5 minutes until the apples soften slightly. Remove from heat and let cool.
- Roll Dough: Once the dough has doubled, punch it down to release air. Roll it out on a floured surface into a 12 by 18-inch rectangle.
- Spread Cheesecake Filling: Evenly spread the cream cheese mixture over the rolled-out dough, leaving a 1-inch border around the edges.
- Spread Apple Filling: Distribute the cooled apple mixture evenly over the cream cheese layer.
- Roll Up Dough: Starting from the longer side, tightly roll the dough into a log shape. Pinch the seams to seal the roll.
- Slice Buns: Cut the rolled dough into 12 to 15 slices depending on the desired bun thickness.
- Second Rise: Arrange the buns cut side up in a greased baking dish. Cover with a towel and let rise again for about 30 minutes until slightly puffed.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) while the buns are rising.
- Bake: Bake the buns in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the buns to cool slightly before serving to enjoy the perfect balance of warm, soft dough with cream cheese and spiced apple filling.
Notes
- Using warm water and milk helps activate the yeast effectively.
- Adjust flour quantity to achieve a slightly sticky but manageable dough for the softest buns.
- You can substitute apples with pears or peaches for a different fruity twist.
- For easier slicing, chill the rolled dough slightly before cutting.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container; they taste great reheated gently.
