Cinnamon Apple Cheesecake Buns
Soft cinnamon-spiced buns filled with a creamy apple-cheesecake mixture, topped with a brown-sugar oat crumble and finished with a sweet glaze. A warm, indulgent pastry perfect for brunch or dessert.
12 Servings
Ingredients
For the Dough
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 cup milk
For the Cheesecake–Apple Filling
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 2 cups diced apples such as Granny Smith
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
For the Crumble Topping
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup oats
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter melted
For the Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk or cream
Instructions
Prepare the Oven
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a baking dish or line it with parchment paper and set aside.
Make the Dough
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add the softened butter and cut it into the dry ingredients until the mixture becomes crumbly. Gradually pour in the milk and mix until a soft dough forms. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead gently until smooth.
Prepare the Cheesecake–Apple Filling
- In a separate bowl, blend the softened cream cheese with the granulated sugar until smooth. Add the diced apples and cinnamon, stirring until evenly incorporated.
Assemble the Buns
- Roll the dough into a rectangle approximately 1/4 inch thick. Evenly spread the cheesecake–apple mixture over the dough. Starting from the long side, roll the dough tightly into a log. Using a sharp knife, cut the log into evenly sized slices and place them into the prepared baking dish.
Prepare the Crumble Topping
- In a medium bowl, combine the brown sugar, oats, and melted butter. Mix until the ingredients form a coarse crumble. Sprinkle the mixture over the arranged buns.
Bake
- Bake the buns for 25–30 minutes, or until golden brown and set in the center. Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly.
Prepare the Glaze
- In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and milk (or cream) until smooth. Drizzle the glaze over the warm buns before serving.
Notes
To prepare gluten-free Cinnamon Apple Cheesecake Buns, substitute the all-purpose flour with a high-quality 1:1 gluten-free baking flour containing xanthan gum. Ensure the oats used are certified gluten-free, and verify that the baking powder, powdered sugar, and all other ingredients are labeled gluten-free to avoid cross-contamination. Baking times may vary slightly due to differences in gluten-free dough texture.