Description
These Apple Cheesecake Brioche Buns combine a soft, buttery brioche dough with a sweet cream cheese filling and tender spiced apple topping, all finished with a crumbly streusel on top. Perfect for a cozy breakfast treat or an indulgent dessert, these buns promise a delightful balance of creamy, fruity, and sweet flavors wrapped in a fluffy, golden bun.
Ingredients
Brioche Dough
- ¾ cup + 1 tbsp warm milk, 110℉
- 1 package active dry yeast
- 1 tsp granulated sugar
- 3 cups bread flour
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ tsp salt
- 2 egg yolks
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
Apple Filling
- 2 large apples, peeled and diced
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1¾ tsp cinnamon
- ⅛ tsp allspice
- ⅛ tsp nutmeg
Sweet Cream Cheese Filling
- 8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Crumble Topping
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ¼ cup all purpose flour
Instructions
- Brioche Dough Preparation: In a small bowl, mix warm milk, yeast, and 1 tsp sugar to activate the yeast; let it foam for about 5 minutes. Then, in a stand mixer with a hook attachment, combine bread flour, sugar, salt, egg yolks, vanilla extract, and the yeast mixture. Knead for at least 10 minutes until the dough forms a ball.
- Incorporate Butter: Gradually add softened butter to the dough and knead for an additional 12-15 minutes until smooth, silky, and tacky but not sticky. Adjust flour if humidity is high.
- First Rise: Place the dough in an oiled bowl, cover, and allow it to rise for at least 1 hour.
- Prepare Apple Filling: Heat butter and brown sugar in a pan over medium heat. Add diced apples, cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg. Cook until apples are tender, then set aside to cool.
- Make Sweet Cream Cheese Filling: Mix softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract in a bowl until smooth.
- Prepare Crumble Topping: Combine melted butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and flour until mixture is wet. Let it come to room temperature and then stir to a crumble texture before use.
- Shape Buns: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. After the dough has risen, divide it evenly into 10 pieces using a kitchen scale. Roll each piece into a ball and place spaced apart on the baking sheet. Cover and let rise for 30-45 minutes until doubled in size.
- Indent and Fill Buns: Preheat oven to 375°F. Using a floured cup or small bowl, create an indent in the center of each risen bun. Fill each indent first with sweet cream cheese, then top with apple filling, and finally sprinkle crumble topping over each bun. Brush sides of buns with egg wash or milk for a golden color.
- Bake: Bake buns for 15-18 minutes, or until golden brown on top and bottom.
- Cool and Serve: Remove buns from the oven and cool at least 5 minutes. Optionally, dust with powdered sugar before serving. Enjoy warm or at room temperature.
- Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container to keep them fresh.
Notes
- Milk temperature should be around 110°F to activate yeast properly.
- If in a humid environment, add extra flour or reduce milk to achieve correct dough consistency.
- The crumble topping mixture should be allowed to cool completely before using to achieve the proper crumble texture.
- Use a floured cup to create indents in the buns to prevent sticking.
- Buns taste best when fresh but can be stored airtight and reheated gently if needed.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
