Description
Heavenly apple morning buns showcase California’s orchard bounty in a delightful pastry experience. Flaky layers and warm spices create a perfect breakfast companion you’ll savor with pure morning joy.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 medium apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and diced
- 1 large egg
- 2 ¼ tsps (1 packet) active dry yeast
- ¾ cup warm milk (110°F / 45°C)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp nutmeg
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- ¼ cup melted butter
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- ½ tsp cinnamon
Instructions
- Yeast Activation: Dissolve yeast in warm milk with sugar, allowing it to foam and activate for optimal dough rising.
- Dough Preparation: Combine dry ingredients, gradually mixing in yeast liquid, vanilla, and egg until a unified, smooth dough forms.
- Dough Development: Knead softened butter into the dough, working it thoroughly until achieving a silky, elastic consistency.
- Dough Proofing: Transfer dough to a greased container, cover, and let rise in a warm environment until substantially increased in volume.
- Apple Filling Creation: Simmer diced apples with brown sugar, spices, and vanilla, cooking until fruit softens and caramelizes.
- Filling Enhancement: Introduce cornstarch to create a luscious, thick sauce that perfectly coats the apple pieces.
- Dough Assembly: Roll out risen dough into a rectangle, evenly spreading the cooled apple mixture across its surface.
- Shaping and Portioning: Roll the dough into a log, slice into uniform sections, and arrange in a prepared muffin tin for a final rise.
- Baking and Finishing: Bake until golden brown, then brush with melted butter and coat generously with cinnamon-sugar mixture.
- Serving: Present the morning buns warm, inviting everyone to enjoy the delicate layers and caramelized apple essence.
Notes
- Precise Yeast Activation: Ensure milk temperature is between 100-110°F to activate yeast without killing it, creating a perfect rising environment.
- Butter Incorporation Technique: Add softened butter gradually while kneading, allowing complete absorption for a silky, smooth dough texture that prevents greasy spots.
- Apple Filling Moisture Control: Let apple filling cool completely before spreading to prevent dough sogginess and maintain crisp pastry layers.
- Gluten-Free Adaptation: Substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free blend and add xanthan gum for similar structural integrity and texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 13
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg