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Apple Caramel Cream Cheese Buns Recipe

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4 from 10 reviews

These Apple Caramel Cream Cheese Buns are a delightful treat combining soft, fluffy yeast buns filled with spiced apple pie filling and smooth cream cheese, topped with a crunchy cinnamon crumble and drizzled with rich homemade salted caramel. Perfect for a special breakfast, brunch, or dessert, these buns blend comforting flavors and textures in every bite.

  • Total Time: 2 hours 26 minutes
  • Yield: 12 buns

Ingredients

Dough Ingredients

  • 30 g all-purpose flour (for tangzhong)
  • 150 g whole milk (for tangzhong)
  • 6 g instant yeast (or 25 g fresh yeast)
  • 510 g all-purpose flour
  • 90 g whole milk
  • 90 g water
  • 50 g granulated sugar
  • 1 egg (preferably 60 g with shell)
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 100 g butter (room temperature)

Apple Pie Filling

  • 200 g apples (cut into tiny cubes)
  • 100 g granulated sugar
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 2 tsp cornstarch
  • 4 tsp water
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla bean paste

Cream Cheese Filling

  • 400 g cream cheese
  • 5 tbsp powdered sugar
  • ½ tsp vanilla bean paste

Crumble Topping

  • 110 g all-purpose flour
  • 80 g dark brown sugar
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 70 g butter (room temperature)

Salted Caramel Sauce

  • 105 g granulated sugar
  • 1 tbsp water
  • 30 g butter
  • 110 g heavy cream
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla bean paste
  • Pinch of salt

Other

  • 1 egg (for egg wash)

Instructions

  1. Make Tangzhong: Combine 30 g flour with 150 g whole milk in a small saucepan. Whisk to mix and heat over medium-high heat, stirring constantly until a thick paste forms, like smooth mashed potatoes. Remove from heat, transfer to a flat bowl, and cool to room temperature in the fridge, stirring occasionally (about 20-30 minutes).
  2. Prepare Dough: Mix yeast with 510 g flour. Warm 90 g milk and 90 g water to lukewarm (37ºC). Add to flour-yeast mixture and stir until dissolved (if fresh yeast is used, crumble into lukewarm liquid before mixing). Add 50 g sugar, tangzhong, and egg; mix on low speed for 4 minutes with a dough hook.
  3. Incorporate Salt and Butter: Increase mixer speed to medium. Add 1 tsp salt and 100 g butter in two parts, mixing each until incorporated. Dough may look messy but continue mixing for 6-8 minutes until smooth and glossy.
  4. First Proof: Transfer dough to an oiled bowl, cover with cling film and tea towel, and let rise in a warm area for 1 hour until doubled in size.
  5. Make Apple Pie Filling: While dough rises, cube 200 g apples. In a saucepan, combine apples, 100 g sugar, 2 tbsp lemon juice, and 1 tsp cinnamon. Simmer on medium heat for 5 minutes until apples are tender with a slight bite. Stir occasionally.
  6. Thicken Filling: Mix 2 tsp cornstarch with 4 tsp water to make a slurry. Reduce heat to low, stir slurry into apples, cook 1-2 minutes until thickened. Remove from heat, stir in ½ tsp vanilla bean paste, and chill in the refrigerator.
  7. Prepare Cream Cheese Filling: Mix together 400 g cream cheese, 5 tbsp powdered sugar, and ½ tsp vanilla bean paste until smooth; set aside.
  8. Make Crumble Topping: Combine 110 g flour, 80 g dark brown sugar, and 1 tsp cinnamon. Cut in 70 g butter with a fork until crumbly and no dry flour remains; set aside.
  9. Prepare Salted Caramel Sauce: In a medium saucepan, combine 105 g granulated sugar and 1 tbsp water, wetting all sugar. Heat over medium-high, melting sugar evenly until golden brown, stirring occasionally.
  10. Finish Caramel: Reduce heat to medium, stir in 30 g butter until melted. Gradually add 110 g heavy cream, stirring constantly as it bubbles. Turn off heat, stir in ½ tsp vanilla bean paste and a pinch of salt. Transfer to a shallow bowl and cool in fridge for 30-60 minutes until room temperature.
  11. Shape Buns: After first rise, punch dough down and divide into 12 equal pieces. Roll into balls and place on two parchment-lined baking trays. Gently press down to form donut-like shapes. Cover with cling film and tea towel and proof again for 45 minutes at room temperature.
  12. Preheat Oven: Heat oven to 190ºC (375ºF) conventional.
  13. Prepare Buns for Baking: Using a 1-cup measure (approx. 7 cm diameter), press down the center of each bun to create an indent. Whisk 1 egg and brush egg wash around bun edges.
  14. Fill Buns: Pipe or spoon cream cheese filling into the center indent. Add chilled apple filling on top of cream cheese. Sprinkle crumble around the edges.
  15. Bake: Bake buns for 15-17 minutes until golden brown. Remove and cool on a wire rack.
  16. Serve: Drizzle buns with cooled salted caramel. Enjoy warm or at room temperature.

Notes

  • For overnight rising, refrigerate the dough covered and allow to rise slowly, then bring to room temperature before shaping.
  • Use fresh apples that hold their shape well, like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp.
  • Be cautious while making caramel as it can bubble strongly and cause burns.
  • The tangzhong method helps produce a soft, tender bun texture.
  • Butter should be softened to room temperature for easier incorporation into dough and crumble.
  • Egg wash gives buns a shiny, golden crust.
  • Author: Maya
  • Prep Time: 45 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Find it online: https://recipeteach.com/apple-caramel-cream-cheese-buns-recipe/