Apple Pie Cheese Buns with Streusel Topping (video)

One bite of these pillowy buns will have you in dessert heaven! My Apple Pie Cheese Buns with Streusel Topping are a delightful dessert for fall! These apple pastries are made with a soft yeast dough that’s filled with cream cheese, apple pie filling, and topped with streusel. The result is simply mouthwatering – super soft and fluffy buns with a magical combination of fillings!

These buns are also known as vatrushka buns in Eastern Europe. Find my original recipe in my cookbook, Beyond Borscht.

Watch My Apple Pie Buns Video Tutorial

Watch my YouTube apple pie cheese buns video tutorial for step-by-step instructions and see how I make the dough and the fillings. Want to stay up to date on my newest recipes? Make sure to subscribe to my website email list and my YouTube channel for notifications.

Ingredients for Apple Cheese Buns

Here are my tips for the main ingredients you’ll need to make these delicious apple pastries. Find the full list of ingredients in the printable recipe card below.

• Apples – just about any variety of apples will work well for this recipe. I would stay away from apples that are too soft. Make sure to peel the apples first before dicing them.
• Cream Cheese – for making the creamy cheese filling. I find that cream cheese works best for this recipe. You can use farmer’s cheese, like in my original recipe, but the texture will be different.
• Cinnamon – a must for the apple pie filling! This will fill your kitchen with fall aromas!
• All Purpose Flour – use regular flour or bread flour for best results. This recipe is not adapted for gluten-free flours.
• Yeast – this recipe will work well with both regular and instant yeast. I personally prefer instant yeast as it saves me time in the kitchen. I’ll include instructions for using both below.
• Butter – I recommend always using unsalted butter for baking as this gives you more control over the salt content in the recipe.

Starting with the Yeast Dough

Any good pastry starts with a great dough, and these buns have the best base! This dough is super soft and fluffy and the perfect vehicle for the fillings.

You can use either regular or instant yeast for this recipe. Please find the instructions for using regular yeast in the next section.

1. For the dough: first heat the milk in the microwave or on the stovetop to approximately 110°F.
2. Pour the warm milk into a large mixing bowl and add the melted butter (cooled), eggs, sugar, salt, vanilla, and instant yeast. Whisk everything together until the eggs are well beaten.
3. Gradually begin adding the flour, about 1 cup at a time, whisking well after each addition. Once the batter thickens, switch to a spatula and stir in more flour.
4. Once the dough pulls together into a ball, transfer it onto a well-floured work surface. Continue to add the remaining flour, kneading the dough.
5. The dough should be very soft and barely sticky. Knead the dough for about 5 minutes, until it’s very smooth and elastic. Allow the dough to rest for about 15 minutes before shaping the buns.

Using Regular Yeast for the Dough

Here are the instructions for the dough recipe if you prefer to use regular yeast instead of instant yeast.

1. For the dough: first heat the milk in the microwave or on the stovetop to approximately 110°F to 120°F.
2. Pour the warm milk into a large mixing bowl and sprinkle the yeast over the top. Let the mixture stand for about 5 to 8 minutes, until the yeast starts to foam and becomes fluffy.
3. Next, add the melted butter (cooled), eggs, sugar, salt, and vanilla and whisk everything together until the eggs are well-beaten.
4. Gradually begin adding the flour, about 1 cup at a time, whisking well after each addition. Once the batter thickens, switch to a spatula and stir in more flour.
5. Once the dough pulls together into a ball, transfer it onto a well-floured work surface. Continue to add the remaining flour, kneading the dough.
6. The dough should be very soft and barely sticky. Knead the dough for about 5 minutes, until it’s smooth and elastic.
7. Place the dough back into the mixing bowl, cover with a towel, and let the dough proof for 1 to 1 ½ hours, until doubled in size. Keep the dough in a warm corner away from cold drafts.
8. Once the dough has proofed, punch it down gently and proceed to shape the buns.

Shaping & Proofing the Buns

Once you have the dough ready, it’s time to shape the buns!

1. Divide the rested (or proofed) dough into 12 equal pieces. Using your hands, gently shape each piece into a smooth bun.
2. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats. Place 6 buns onto each baking sheet, spacing them apart generously.
3. Gently press each bun into a flatter, disk-like shape. Cover the baking sheets with a kitchen towel, place into a warm corner away from cold drafts, and allow the buns to proof for about 1 hour, until doubled in size.

Preparing the Apple Pie Filling

While the buns are proofing, we can get started on all the delicious fillings! First up, it’s the apple pie filling. I recommend starting with this one as it needs to cool down slightly before being used.

1. For the apple pie filling, start by first peeling, then finely dicing the apples.
2. Place the apples into a pot or sauté pan with tall sides, and add the sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, vanilla, and water. Stir everything together.
3. Cover the pot and cook the apples over medium-high heat, bringing them up to a simmer.  
4. Remove the lid, reduce the heat to a medium, and continue to cook the apples for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they’re tender and translucent.
5. In a small ramekin, combine the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water. Pour this slurry into the apples once they’re cooked. Cook for about 1 minute, just until the apple juices are thickened nicely.
6. Remove the apple pie filling from the heat and let it cool on the side at room temperature.

Making the Cream Cheese Filling

With our apple pie filling done, it’s time to make the easy cream cheese filling for the apple pie buns!

1. Place the softened cream cheese into a large mixing bowl. Using a hand or stand mixer, beat the cheese for a few minutes until it’s creamy and smooth.
2. Add the powdered sugar, vanilla, and sea salt next. Mix again until the cheese mixture is creamy.
3. You can spoon this cheese mixture into each bun, or you can pipe it using a pastry bag. Transfer the cheese mixture into a pastry bag with a large opening for easier filling.

Easy Streusel Topping for the Buns

And the last thing we need to prepare for these apple pie cheese buns is the streusel topping! It’s super easy to make, too!

1. Note: if you don’t want too much streusel topping, you can cut this recipe in half.
2. Place the sugar and flour into a medium-sized mixing bowl. Use a coarse cheese grater to grate the cold butter in batches into the dry ingredients.
3. Use your hands to toss the butter and dry ingredients together.
4. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of cream to the streusel mixture, just enough to bring the dry ingredients together.

How to Make Apple Pie Cheese Buns

Once you have all the fillings and streusel topping ready, the buns should be nicely proofed! Here’s how to make them:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. Once the buns are proofed, use the bottom of a small jar, glass, or measuring cup to press wells into the center of each bun. The wells need to be large enough to accommodate a generous amount of filling.
3. Next, apply the egg wash. Simply beat 1 egg with 1 tablespoon of water in a small ramekin, then use a pastry brush to apply the egg wash generously over each bun.
4. Next, add the cream cheese filling into the centers. Spoon or pipe a generous amount (about ¼ to 1/3 cup) into each bun.
5. Add the apple pie filling next, adding a heaping amount over the cream cheese filling.
6. And last, sprinkle the streusel topping over each bun.  

Baking Instructions for Apple Pie Buns

1. If your oven is large enough to accommodate both baking sheets at once, you can bake them together.
2. Bake the buns at 350°F for 30 to 35 minutes, until the buns are a deep golden-brown color around the edges.
3. The cheese filling and centers will puff up a bit during baking and will not be set (will be slightly soft and wobbly).
4. Remove the buns from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking pans for 20 to 30 minutes before enjoying.

Storing & Serving Suggestions for Apple Buns

Allow the buns to cool slightly before enjoying. The fillings will be extra hot after baking! These apple pastries are fantastic with coffee or tea.

Cool any leftovers to room temperature, then individually wrap each bun in plastic wrap for storage. Keep these buns stored in the refrigerator, then reheat before enjoying again.

More Recipes to Try!

Enjoyed this delicious apple pastry recipe? Check out some of my other recipes you’re sure to enjoy!

• Blueberry & Cheese Buns – another version of vatrushka buns, these with farmer’s cheese filling and blueberries!
• Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls – these are my favorite for fall! Soft and fluffy cinnamon rolls filled with apple pie filling, topped with cream cheese icing!
• The Best Apple Fritters – hands down, the best homemade apple fritters! Soft, fluffy, and glazed!
• Apple Cheese Danishes – super easy recipe using store-bought dough! Filled with cream cheese and apple pie filling.

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