Description
Delight in these Apple Cheesecake Brioche Buns that combine a soft and buttery sweet brioche dough filled with a spiced apple filling and creamy sweetened cream cheese, all topped with a crunchy cinnamon crumble. Perfect as a decadent breakfast treat or a comforting dessert, these buns blend classic flavors with a rich and tender texture.
Ingredients
Scale
Sweet Brioche Dough
- ¾ cup (202 g) + 1 tablespoon warm milk, 110℉
- 1 package active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 3 cups (360 g) bread flour
- ⅓ cup (66 g) granulated sugar
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- 2 egg yolks
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 6 tablespoon (84 g) unsalted butter, softened
Apple Filling
- 2 large apples, peeled and diced
- 2 tablespoon (28 g) unsalted butter
- ¼ cup (50 g) brown sugar
- 1¾ teaspoon cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon allspice
- ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg
Sweet Cream Cheese
- 8 oz. cream cheese, room temperature
- ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Crumble Topping
- 2 tablespoon (28 g) unsalted butter, melted
- ¼ cup (50 g) brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ cup (30 g) all purpose flour
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: In a small bowl, combine warm milk, active dry yeast, and 1 teaspoon granulated sugar. Stir and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy and activated.
- Prepare Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine bread flour, ⅓ cup sugar, and salt. Add egg yolks, vanilla extract, and the activated yeast mixture. Mix until a rough dough forms.
- Knead Dough: Gradually add softened butter and knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Alternatively, use a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook.
- First Rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm spot for 1 to 1.5 hours or until doubled in size.
- Prepare Apple Filling: In a skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Add diced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg. Cook until apples are soft and caramelized, about 8-10 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool completely.
- Mix Sweet Cream Cheese: In a bowl, combine room temperature cream cheese, ¼ cup granulated sugar, and vanilla extract. Beat until smooth and creamy.
- Make Crumble Topping: In a small bowl, mix melted butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and all-purpose flour until crumbly. Set aside.
- Shape Buns: Once dough has risen, punch it down and roll it into a large rectangle about ½ inch thick. Spread the sweet cream cheese evenly over the dough, followed by the cooled apple filling.
- Form Rolls: Roll the dough tightly from one long edge to the other to form a log. Cut the log into equal pieces (about 12 slices). Place the slices on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spaced apart to allow expansion.
- Second Rise: Cover the rolls with a kitchen towel and let them rise for another 30-45 minutes until puffy.
- Add Crumble and Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over each bun. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through.
- Cool and Serve: Remove buns from the oven and let cool slightly on a wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Ensure milk is warm but not hot to avoid killing the yeast.
- Use tart apples like Granny Smith for a balanced sweet-tart flavor in the filling.
- Room temperature cream cheese blends better and avoids lumps in the sweet cream cheese layer.
- Brioche dough can be sticky; lightly flour your hands and surface when kneading.
- Buns can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage.
Keywords: Apple Cheesecake Brioche Buns, sweet brioche dough, apple filling, cream cheese buns, cinnamon crumble, breakfast buns, dessert rolls