Some recipes just feel like home, and these Apple Cream Cheese Buns are one of them, warm, cozy, and perfect for crisp fall days. Soft, fluffy yeast dough is filled with creamy, lightly sweetened cream cheese and tender, spiced apples on top. Every bite has that perfect mix of tart fruit, silky filling, and pillowy bread.
I love making these on slow weekend mornings, especially in the fall when apples are at their best. They rise beautifully, fill the kitchen with that irresistible bakery scent, and taste even better fresh out of the oven with a dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of glaze. The cream cheese layer adds a subtle tang that balances the sweetness of the apples, making them hard to stop at just one.
Serve them fresh and warm for breakfast, or save them as a sweet treat for later. These buns feel truly special, the kind of bake that draws everyone to the table for just one more bite.
How to make apple cream cheese buns
Begin with preparing the dough. In a large bowl, combine the yeast, 1 teaspoon (5 g) of sugar, and ¼ cup (60 ml) of lukewarm milk. Stir lightly and let it sit for 5 minutes until the yeast activates and becomes foamy.
Once the yeast is ready, add the remaining ingredients — flour, sugar, salt, the rest of the milk, egg, vanilla extract, and softened butter. Knead the dough for 5–7 minutes, either by hand or with a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, until it becomes smooth, elastic, and pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with plastic wrap, and let it rise for about 1 hour in a warm space, or until doubled in size.
Meanwhile, prepare the apple filling
Peel and dice the apples, then place them in a small saucepan or skillet. Add lemon juice, cinnamon, sugar, and water, and cook over medium-low heat for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples are tender. Stir in cornstarch and cook for another minute or two until the mixture thickens slightly. Remove from the heat and let cool completely.
Prepare the buns
Once the dough has doubled, transfer it to a lightly floured surface and divide it into 12 equal pieces. Shape each portion into a smooth bun and arrange them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and let them rest for 15–20 minutes while the oven preheats to 350°F (180°C).
Prepare the cream cheese filling
In a medium bowl, whisk together cream cheese, powdered sugar, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. Transfer the mixture to a piping bag fitted with a plain tip.
Shape and fill the buns
Using a small glass dipped in flour, press the center of each bun to form a well for the filling. You can use your fingers to shape the wells deeper if needed. Pipe a generous amount of cream cheese filling into each well, then spoon a little apple filling on top.
Brush the edges of the buns with beaten egg for a glossy finish.
Bake for 20 minutes, or until the buns are puffed and beautifully golden. Transfer to a wire rack and allow to cool slightly.
Finish by dusting with powdered sugar before serving. Enjoy these soft, creamy, apple-filled buns warm or at room temperature with a cup of tea or coffee.
Hope you will try them out. If you do, make sure to share the photos with me on Instagram. Would love to see how they turn out for you.
Other apple recipes you may like to try
Soft, fluffy, and coated in cinnamon sugar, these Apple Doughnuts are bursting with cozy fall flavor.
You have to try this amazing Apple Strudel, with a flaky, golden pastry wrapped around tender spiced apples and a hint of sweetness.
Buttery, portable, and packed with juicy apple filling, these little Apple Hand Pies are everything you love about apple pie, made perfectly hand-sized for sharing (or not).
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Apple Cream Cheese Buns
Ingredients
For the Dough
- 3 ¼ cups (400g) all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup (50g) sugar
- 1/2 tsp (3g) salt
- 2 ¼ tsp (7g) active dry yeast , or 25 g fresh yeast
- 1 cup (240ml) lukewarm milk , divided
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp (5g) vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup (56g) butter , softened
Cream Cheese Filling
- 9 oz (250g) cream cheese
- 1 egg
- 3 tbsp (24g) powdered sugar
- 1 tsp (5g) vanilla extract
Apple Filling
- 10 oz (300g) apples, about 2 medium apples
- 1 tbsp (15g) brown sugar
- 1 tsp (3g) cinnamon
- 1 tbsp (15ml) lemon juice
- 1/4 cup (60ml) water
- 1 tsp (3g) cornstarch
For topping
- 1 egg , beaten, for brushing
- powdered sugar
Instructions
Prepare the dough.
- In a large bowl, add yeast, 1 tsp (5g) sugar and 1/4 cup (60ml) lukewarm milk. Let it rest for 5 minutes to activate the yeast.
- Add the rest of the ingredients, flour, sugar and salt, the remaining milk, egg, vanilla extract and softened butter.
- Start kneading for about 5-7 minutes.
- The dough should be smooth and pull away from the sides of the bowl.
- Transfer the dough into an oiled bowl and cover with plastic wrap.
- Let the dough rest for about 1 hour at room temperature (warm space) until doubled in size.
Meanwhile, prepare the apple filling.
- Dice the apples and place them in a small skillet or saucepan.
- Add lemon juice, cinnamon, sugar and water and place over medium-low heat.
- Cook for about 15 minutes until tender.
- Add cornstarch, stir to combine, and continue cooking until it thickens slightly.
- Remove from the heat and let it cool.
Prepare the buns.
- Transfer the dough onto a floured surface.
- Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces.
- Shape each into a bun.
- Place on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
- Cover with a kitchen towel and let the buns rest for 15-20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
Prepare the cream cheese filling.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the cream cheese with powdered sugar, egg and vanilla extract.
- Transfer to a piping bag fitted with a plain tip.
How to give the final shape.
- Press each bun using a glass dipped in flour to create a well for the filling.
- You can use your fingers to shape the wells deeper if needed.
- Divide the cream cheese filling between the buns.
- Top with apple filling.
- Brush the edges with beaten egg.
- Bake the cream cheese buns for about 20 minutes or until nicely golden.
- Transfer to a wire rack to cool slightly.
- Dust with powdered sugar and enjoy!
Nutrition
Did you make this recipe?
Please let me know how it turned out for you! Leave a comment below and tag @homecookingadventure on Instagram and hashtag it #homecookingadventure.
