Bread / Yeast Risen

Salted Caramel Apple Crumble Buns – Fluffy Bakery-Style Buns

Name: Salted Caramel Apple Crumble Buns – Fluffy Bakery-Style Buns
Prep time: 2 h
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 2 h 20 min
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients: 3/4 cup whole milk, heated to 100–110°F (180 ml); 2 tsp active dry yeast (6 g); 1/4 cup granulated sugar (50 g); 1 large egg; 2 1/2 cups bread flour or all-purpose flour (280 g); 1 tsp cinnamon; 1 tsp fine-grain salt (5 g); 3 tbsp unsalted butter, room temp, cubed (43 g); 1 egg; 8 oz cream cheese, room temp (225 g); 2 tbsp heavy cream (30 ml); 1 tsp vanilla extract (5 ml); 1/2 cup powdered sugar (120 g); 2 cups peeled, finely diced apples (about 2 medium apples, 300 g); 2 tbsp unsalted butter (28 g); 2 tbsp light brown sugar (25 g); 1/2 tsp cinnamon (1 g); 1 tsp cornstarch (3 g); 3 tbsp melted unsalted butter (43 g); 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (60 g); 1/2 cup light brown sugar (100 g); 1 tsp vanilla extract (5 ml); 1/2 cup salted caramel (60 ml, store-bought or homemade)

6 servings

servings

2 hours

active time

2 hours 20 minutes

total time

Start Cooking

Ingredients

3/4 cup whole milk, heated to 100–110°F (180 ml)

2 tsp active dry yeast (6 g)

1/4 cup granulated sugar (50 g)

1 large egg

2 1/2 cups bread flour or all-purpose flour (280 g)

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp fine-grain salt (5 g)

3 tbsp unsalted butter, room temp, cubed (43 g)

1 egg

8 oz cream cheese, room temp (225 g)

2 tbsp heavy cream (30 ml)

1 tsp vanilla extract (5 ml)

1/2 cup powdered sugar (120 g)

2 cups peeled, finely diced apples (about 2 medium apples, 300 g)

2 tbsp unsalted butter (28 g)

2 tbsp light brown sugar (25 g)

1/2 tsp cinnamon (1 g)

1 tsp cornstarch (3 g)

3 tbsp melted unsalted butter (43 g)

1/2 cup all-purpose flour (60 g)

1/2 cup light brown sugar (100 g)

1 tsp vanilla extract (5 ml)

1/2 cup salted caramel (60 ml, store-bought or homemade)

Directions

Activate the Yeast

Heat milk to 100–110°F. Stir in yeast and let sit 5–10 minutes until bubbly and foamy.

Make the Dough

In a stand mixer, combine milk mixture with sugar and egg. Add flour, cinnamon, and salt, then knead for 5 minutes.Add cubed butter one tablespoon at a time and knead for another 5 minutes.Cover and let rise for 1–2 hours, until doubled.

Make the Apple Pie Filling

In a skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add diced apples, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Cook 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until apples are soft and jammy.Stir in cornstarch during the last minute to thicken. Remove from heat and let cool.

Shape the Buns

Punch down the dough and divide into 6 equal portions. Roll each into a ball and flatten slightly.Press the center down and push sides outward to form a “bowl” or divot (5–6 inches wide).Place on parchment-lined sheet and brush edges with egg wash.

Make the Cream Cheese Custard

Beat cream cheese until smooth. Add vanilla and heavy cream, mixing well.Slowly beat in powdered sugar until fluffy.Pipe into the center of each bun.

Assemble the Buns

Drizzle salted caramel. Spoon cooled apple pie filling over the custard.Mix crumble ingredients and sprinkle around the edges of each bun.

Bake

Bake at 375°F for 20–25 minutes, until golden and set.

Cool and Finish

Let cool 15 minutes so the custard sets.Drizzle generously with salted caramel before serving.