Apple Cheesecake Brioche Buns Recipe

If you’re like me and love a good sweet treat with a soft, buttery twist, this Apple Cheesecake Brioche Buns Recipe is going to feel like a little slice of heaven. Imagine sinking your teeth into pillowy brioche buns filled with a cozy, spiced apple filling and a luscious cream cheese center, all topped with a crumbly, sweet finish that adds just the right crunch. It’s the kind of recipe that’s perfect for weekend brunches, special breakfasts, or simply when you want to impress friends with homemade bakery vibes.

One of the best parts about this Apple Cheesecake Brioche Buns Recipe is how it balances flavors and textures: the rich brioche dough, sweet and tart apples, and that creamy cheesecake surprise inside. Over time, I’ve found it’s a crowd-pleaser, and honestly, it makes my kitchen smell irresistible. Plus, it’s easier to make than you might think, especially with my tips to help you every step of the way.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in this recipe plays a special role. The brioche dough is soft and buttery, which is the perfect base to hold the slightly spiced apple filling and sweet cream cheese. Fresh apples and warm spices bring coziness, and the crumble topping adds that extra delightful crunch.

• Active dry yeast: I always make sure my yeast is fresh and proof it in warm milk—this gives the dough a perfect rise.
• Warm milk: Use milk warmed to about 110°F; it’s just right to activate the yeast without killing it.
• Bread flour: This adds a nice chewy structure to the buns, better than all-purpose alone for brioche.
• Granulated sugar: Needed both in the dough and the cream cheese mixture for sweetness.
• Salt: A pinch balances the sweetness and enhances the flavor of the brioche.
• Egg yolks: They make the dough rich and give that beautiful golden color when baked.
• Vanilla extract: Adds warmth to both the dough and cream cheese filling.
• Unsalted butter: Use softened for the dough and melted for the crumble topping — butter quality really shines here.
• Apple: Choose firm, tart apples like Granny Smith for a bright contrast to the sweet cheesecake.
• Brown sugar: Adds molasses depth to both the apple filling and crumble topping.
• Cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg: These cozy spices bring the apple filling to life.
• Cream cheese: Softened to room temperature for a smooth, sweet filling that complements the apples perfectly.
• All-purpose flour: For the crumble, to give it that perfect crisp texture.

Variations

I love to shake things up with this Apple Cheesecake Brioche Buns Recipe sometimes—it’s all about making it your own. Feel free to swap the apples for pears or add a handful of raisins to the filling for extra sweetness and texture. You can also play with spices; sometimes I add a little cardamom or ginger for a unique twist.

• Dairy-free version: I’ve tried replacing butter with coconut oil and cream cheese with a dairy-free alternative—it works really well, though the flavor profile changes a bit.
• Less sweet: If you prefer less sugar, just reduce the sugar in the filling and crumble—your buns will still taste great but a little lighter.
• Gluten-free adaptation: I haven’t fully mastered a gluten-free dough substitute that keeps the same brioche softness, but using a high-quality gluten-free flour blend might get you close.

How to Make Apple Cheesecake Brioche Buns Recipe

Step 1: Activate the yeast and prepare the dough

Start by warming your milk to around 110°F — warm, not hot, to keep your yeast happy. Sprinkle the yeast and a teaspoon of granulated sugar over the milk, then let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until it’s foamy. This is your signal that the yeast is alive and ready to work. Meanwhile, in a mixing bowl, combine your bread flour, sugar, and salt. Once your yeast is bubbly, add it along with egg yolks and vanilla to the dry ingredients and mix everything until it starts to come together. Then, add softened butter in small pieces and knead until the dough is smooth and elastic—about 10 minutes by hand or 6-7 minutes in a stand mixer. Don’t rush this part; kneading well is key to that fluffy brioche texture.

Step 2: First rise and prepare the apple filling

Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a greased bowl, covering it with a damp towel or plastic wrap. Let it rise in a warm spot until it doubles in size, usually about 1 to 1.5 hours. While the dough rises, melt butter in a skillet over medium heat, toss in the diced apples, brown sugar, and your spices, then cook until the apples are tender and caramelized but still hold their shape—about 7-8 minutes. Set aside to cool so they don’t melt the cream cheese later.

Step 3: Prepare the sweet cream cheese filling

In a medium bowl, beat the room-temperature cream cheese with sugar and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. This filling adds that luscious surprise inside each bun, so make sure it’s silky and well combined.

Step 4: Shape and fill the buns

Once your dough has doubled, punch it down gently and divide it into equal pieces (I usually get about 12 buns). Flatten each piece into a circle, spread a bit of cream cheese in the center, then spoon some apple filling on top. Carefully fold the dough around the filling, pinching the edges to seal them completely. Place the buns seam-side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and cover them to rise again for about 30 minutes.

Step 5: Add crumble topping and bake

Mix melted butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and flour to create your crumble topping. Sprinkle it generously over each bun just before baking. Bake in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for about 20-25 minutes until the buns are golden and the crumble is crisp. Keep an eye on them during the last few minutes to avoid burning the sugar topping.

How to Serve Apple Cheesecake Brioche Buns Recipe

Garnishes

I like to dust my buns lightly with powdered sugar and add a few thin apple slices on top right after baking for a fresh look. A drizzle of honey or a cinnamon glaze can elevate them even more, especially if you’re serving guests.

Side Dishes

These buns go wonderfully with a hot cup of coffee or chai tea. If it’s brunch, I often pair them with scrambled eggs or a fresh fruit salad for balance. The creamy and fruity notes of the buns really complement savory sides.

Creative Ways to Present

One time, I arranged a batch of these Apple Cheesecake Brioche Buns Recipe in a round baking dish to create a pull-apart bread style—everyone loved tearing off warm, gooey pieces. For holidays, decorate the platter with cinnamon sticks and fresh apple wedges to make the table festive and inviting.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover buns in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. If it’s hot and humid, I prefer the fridge to keep them fresh but bring them back to room temp before enjoying.

Freezing

I freeze these buns individually wrapped in plastic wrap and then placed in a freezer-safe bag. They freeze beautifully and thaw quickly in just a couple of hours at room temperature or overnight in the fridge.

Reheating

To bring leftovers back to life, I pop them in a 300°F oven for about 8-10 minutes until warm and soft again. You can also microwave them for 20-30 seconds, but I prefer the oven to keep the crumble topping crisp.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

I hope you give this Apple Cheesecake Brioche Buns Recipe a try because it truly brings a special warmth to any morning or afternoon snack time. It’s become one of my favorite go-to recipes when I want to impress with minimal fuss and maximum flavor. Baking these buns feels like a cozy hug in the kitchen, and I’m sure you’ll enjoy sharing them just as much as I do. So roll up your sleeves, get some apples, and let’s make a batch that you and your loved ones will remember!

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