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–+ servings
Several apple and cheese pastries on a baking sheet, on a table with apples.

Apple Pie Cheese Buns with Streusel Topping (video)

1 hour 30 minutes prep + 35 minutes cook + 1 hour Proofing Time (varies)
12 pastries
Amazing apple pie cheese buns with streusel topping! Super soft and fluffy buns with apples and the best creamy cheese filling! Perfect for fall!

Ingredients 
US Customary - Metric

For Yeast Dough:

  • 1 1/2 cups whole milk
  • 1 tbsp instant yeast, or regular yeast
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 cup white granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt
  • 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

For Apple Pie Filling:

  • 6 cups diced apples, about 6 medium apples
  • 1/2 cup white granulated sugar
  • 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt
  • 1/3 cup water
  • 1 1/2 tbsp cornstarch, mixed with 2 tbsp water

For Cream Cheese Filling:

  • 16 oz cream cheese, softened at room temp
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • pinch sea salt

For Streusel Topping:

  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup white granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, very well chilled
  • 2 tbsp cream, or milk

Additional:

  • 1 large egg, for egg wash

Instructions

Making the Yeast Dough:

  • This recipe will work well with both regular and instant yeast. Find my instructions for regular yeast in the post above.
  • For the dough: first heat the milk in the microwave or on the stovetop to approximately 110°F.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.

Shaping & Proofing the Buns:

  • Divide the rested (or proofed) dough into 12 equal pieces. Using your hands, gently shape each piece into a smooth bun.
  • Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats. Place 6 buns onto each baking sheet, spacing them apart generously.
  • 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.

Making the Apple Filling:

  • For the apple pie filling, start by first peeling, then finely dicing the apples.
  • 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.
  • Cover the pot and cook the apples over medium-high heat, bringing them up to a simmer.  
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Remove the apple pie filling from the heat and let it cool on the side at room temperature.

Making the Cheese Filling:

  • 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.
  • Add the powdered sugar, vanilla, and sea salt next. Mix again until the cheese mixture is creamy.
  • 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.

Making the Streusel Topping:

  • Note: if you don’t want too much streusel topping, you can cut this recipe in half.
  • 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.
  • Use your hands to toss the butter and dry ingredients together.
  • Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of cream to the streusel mixture, just enough to bring the dry ingredients together.

How to Make Apple Cheese Buns:

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Next, add the cream cheese filling into the centers. Spoon or pipe a generous amount (about ¼ to 1/3 cup) into each bun.
  • Add the apple pie filling next, adding a heaping amount over the cream cheese filling.
  • And last, sprinkle the streusel topping over each bun.  

Baking Instructions:

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

Nutrition

Serving: 1pastry | Calories: 532kcal | Carbohydrates: 80g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 84mg | Sodium: 325mg | Potassium: 233mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 38g | Vitamin A: 757IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 96mg | Iron: 3mg