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Golden apple cheesecake buns topped with buttery crumble and drizzled with sweet glaze, served on a rustic wooden board.

Apple Cheesecake Buns Recipe – Filled Sweet Rolls with Crumble Topping & Vanilla Glaze

These Apple Cheesecake Buns are the ultimate fall-inspired treat—soft, golden buns filled with creamy cheesecake and spiced apple filling, topped with a buttery crumble and finished with a sweet vanilla glaze. Perfect for brunch, dessert, or cozy weekend baking, they combine the best of apple pie and cheesecake in one irresistible bite. Whether you’re hosting a gathering or just craving something warm and indulgent, these buns deliver bakery-style flavor with homemade charm.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 5 minutes
Course Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert
Cuisine American, Bakery-style, Fusion
Servings 12 buns
Calories 300 kcal

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls
  • Stand mixer or whisk
  • Rolling Pin
  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment paper
  • Saucepan
  • Spoon or spatula

Ingredients
  

Dough (Enriched Yeast Dough or Shortcut Dough):

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2¼ tsp instant yeast
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 egg
  • ¾ cup warm milk
  • ¼ cup melted butter

Cheesecake Filling:

  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Apple Filling:

  • 2 apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled and diced
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • Pinch of nutmeg

Crumble Topping:

  • ¼ cup flour
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp softened butter

Glaze:

  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • 1–2 tbsp milk
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract

Instructions
 

  • Make the Dough Combine flour, yeast, sugar, and salt. Add warm milk, egg, and melted butter. Knead until smooth. Let rise for 1–2 hours until doubled.
  • Prepare Fillings
    Cheesecake: Mix cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
    Apples: Sauté diced apples with butter, cinnamon, and nutmeg until tender. Cool.
  • Shape the Buns Divide dough into 12 balls. Flatten each into a disc and press a well in the center. Fill with 1 tbsp cheesecake and 1 tbsp apple mixture.
  • Add Crumble Mix crumble ingredients until sandy. Sprinkle over each bun.
  • Bake Place buns on a parchment-lined sheet. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20–25 minutes until golden.
  • Glaze Cool slightly. Drizzle with glaze and serve warm or at room temperature.

Notes

  • Use store-bought dough for a shortcut
  • Add caramel drizzle or maple glaze for variation
  • Make mini buns for parties
  • Freeze unglazed buns and reheat before glazing
  • Use dairy-free cream cheese and milk for a vegan-friendly version
  • Best apples: Granny Smith for tartness, Honeycrisp for sweetness
Keyword apple buns, brunch pastry, cheesecake filling, crumble topping, holiday baking