Apple Morning Buns are soft, buttery pastries filled with a spiced apple-cinnamon mixture and rolled in a caramelized sugar coating. These bakery-style treats are a delightful combination of a cinnamon roll and a flaky croissant, perfect for breakfast or brunch. With layers of tender dough, warm apples, and a crunchy sugar exterior, they are the ultimate morning indulgence!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Buttery, Flaky, and Soft: A rich dough that’s light and tender.
- Warm Apple-Cinnamon Filling: Sweet, spiced apples bring cozy fall flavors.
- Caramelized Sugar Coating: A crispy, sugary exterior that adds a perfect crunch.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Prep the dough overnight for fresh morning baking.
- Better Than Bakery Buns: Homemade and full of fresh, natural ingredients.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the Dough:
- All-purpose flour
- Granulated sugar
- Active dry yeast
- Warm milk
- Unsalted butter (softened)
- Eggs
- Salt
For the Apple Filling:
- Apples (peeled, diced)
- Brown sugar
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
- Lemon juice
- Butter
For the Sugar Coating:
- Granulated sugar
- Cinnamon
Directions
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
- Activate the Yeast:
- Dissolve the yeast in warm milk with a pinch of sugar. Let sit until foamy.
- Mix the Dough:
- In a mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, and salt. Add the yeast mixture, butter, and eggs.
- Knead until smooth and elastic.
- First Rise:
- Cover and let the dough rise for 1-2 hours until doubled in size.
Step 2: Make the Apple Filling
- Cook the Apples:
- In a pan, melt butter and add diced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice.
- Cook until soft and caramelized. Let cool.
Step 3: Assemble the Buns
- Roll Out the Dough:
- On a floured surface, roll the dough into a rectangle.
- Spread the Filling:
- Evenly spread the apple mixture over the dough.
- Roll and Slice:
- Roll up the dough tightly and slice into 12 pieces.
- Second Rise:
- Place buns in a buttered muffin tin or baking dish. Let rise for 30-45 minutes.
Step 4: Bake and Coat the Buns
- Bake:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Bake for 18-22 minutes until golden brown.
- Coat with Sugar:
- While warm, roll the buns in cinnamon sugar for a crispy, caramelized coating.
Step 5: Serve
- Enjoy warm with coffee or tea.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 12 buns
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Rising Time: 2-3 hours
- Baking Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 3.5-4 hours
Variations
- Nutty Crunch: Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the filling.
- Glazed Option: Drizzle with a vanilla or cream cheese glaze instead of the sugar coating.
- Extra Flaky: Use a laminated dough for a croissant-like texture.
- Maple Flavor: Substitute brown sugar with maple syrup for a richer taste.
- Dairy-Free: Use plant-based butter and milk alternatives.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
- Reheating: Warm in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5 minutes or microwave for 20 seconds.
- Freezing: Freeze unbaked buns and bake from frozen, adding extra time.
FAQs
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! Let it rise overnight in the fridge and bake fresh in the morning.
What apples work best for the filling?
Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji apples hold their texture and provide great flavor.
Can I use store-bought dough?
Yes! Crescent roll or puff pastry dough can be used for a shortcut.
How do I keep my buns soft?
Store in an airtight container and avoid overbaking.
Can I make mini versions?
Yes! Cut smaller pieces and reduce the baking time to 12-15 minutes.
What can I serve with apple morning buns?
They pair well with coffee, tea, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert.
How do I prevent the filling from leaking?
Roll the dough tightly and don’t overfill to keep the apple mixture contained.
Can I make these without eggs?
Yes, replace eggs with a flax egg (1 tbsp flaxseed meal + 3 tbsp water).
Can I add a caramel drizzle?
Absolutely! A drizzle of caramel sauce adds extra sweetness and richness.
What’s the best way to get a crispy sugar coating?
Roll the buns in cinnamon sugar while they’re still warm from the oven.
Conclusion
Apple Morning Buns are a delightful way to start the day, combining soft, buttery dough with a spiced apple filling and a caramelized sugar crunch. Whether enjoyed fresh from the oven or saved for later, these buns are guaranteed to be a new favorite for breakfast, brunch, or dessert. Try them today and savor the perfect blend of sweetness and spice!
PrintApple Morning Buns
These Apple Morning Buns are tender, flaky pastries filled with a buttery cinnamon-apple filling and baked to golden perfection. They’re slightly crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and coated with a light dusting of sugar. Perfect with coffee or tea!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Chill Time: 1.5 hours
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: Makes 12 buns 1x
- Category: Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American, European-inspired
Ingredients
For the Dough:
- 2 1/4 tsp (1 packet) active dry yeast
- 3/4 cup warm milk (about 110°F / 45°C)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
For the Apple Filling:
- 2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work best)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp cornstarch (to thicken)
For the Topping:
- 1/4 cup melted butter (for brushing)
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar + 1/2 tsp cinnamon (for rolling)
Instructions
1. Prepare the Dough:
- In a small bowl, mix yeast, warm milk, and 1 tbsp sugar. Let sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, remaining sugar, and salt.
- Add the yeast mixture, vanilla, and egg. Mix until a dough forms.
- Knead in the softened butter, one tablespoon at a time, until the dough is smooth and elastic (about 8 minutes by hand or 5 minutes in a stand mixer).
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise for 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
2. Make the Apple Filling:
- In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and add diced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla.
- Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring, until apples soften.
- Stir in cornstarch and cook for 1 more minute to thicken.
- Remove from heat and let cool.
3. Roll & Fill the Dough:
- On a floured surface, roll out the dough into a 12×18-inch rectangle.
- Spread the cooled apple filling evenly over the dough.
- Roll up the dough tightly from the long side to form a log.
- Slice into 12 equal pieces and place in a greased muffin tin.
4. Second Rise & Bake:
- Cover the buns loosely with plastic wrap and let them rise for 30 minutes while preheating the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, until golden brown and puffed.
5. Coat with Cinnamon Sugar:
- Brush warm buns with melted butter and roll in the cinnamon-sugar mixture for a sweet, crunchy coating.
6. Serve & Enjoy:
- Let the buns cool slightly before serving. They’re best enjoyed warm!
Notes
- Make ahead:Â You can prepare the dough the night before and let it rise overnight in the fridge.
- For extra flakiness, use puff pastry dough instead of homemade dough.
- Try different apples! Granny Smith adds tartness, while Honeycrisp makes them extra sweet.
- These buns pair wonderfully with maple glaze, caramel sauce, or a dusting of powdered sugar.