Description
Morning buns with caramelized apples showcase a delightful fusion of French pastry techniques and rustic American charm. California bakeries inspired this sweet breakfast treat that beckons you to savor each delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 ½ cups (437.5 g) all-purpose flour
- 2 medium apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and diced
- ½ cup (113 g / 1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large egg
- 2 ¼ tsp (1 packet) active dry yeast
- ¾ cup (180 ml) warm milk (about 110°F / 45°C)
- ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup (70 g) brown sugar
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp nutmeg
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- ¼ cup (57 g) unsalted butter
- ¼ cup (57 g) melted butter (for brushing)
- ⅓ cup (67 g) granulated sugar + ½ tsp cinnamon (for rolling)
Instructions
- Yeast Activation: Combine warm milk, sugar, and yeast, letting the mixture transform into a frothy, bubbling elixir for 5-10 minutes.
- Dough Foundation: In a large mixing bowl, whisk flour, remaining sugar, and salt, creating a dry ingredient canvas.
- Dough Assembly: Blend activated yeast mixture, vanilla extract, and egg into the dry ingredients, forming a cohesive dough through thorough mixing.
- Butter Integration: Knead softened butter into the dough, developing a smooth, elastic texture using hands or a stand mixer.
- First Proofing: Nestle the dough in a greased container, drape with a cover, and allow it to rise until volume doubles (1-1.5 hours).
- Apple Filling Preparation: Sauté diced apples with butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla over medium heat until apples become tender and caramelized.
- Filling Refinement: Stir cornstarch into the apple mixture, cooking briefly to thicken, then remove from heat and cool completely.
- Dough Transformation: On a flour-dusted surface, roll the risen dough into a rectangular shape, spreading the cooled apple filling evenly across the surface.
- Rolling and Shaping: Tightly roll the dough from the long side, creating a compact log, then slice into twelve uniform portions.
- Second Proofing and Baking: Arrange buns in a greased muffin tin, allow to rise under plastic wrap for 30 minutes, then bake at 375F (190C) until golden and puffy (20-25 minutes).
- Finishing Touches: Brush warm buns with melted butter and dust with a cinnamon-sugar mixture for an irresistible sweet crunch.
- Serving: Present the buns warm, allowing a brief cooling period to prevent mouth-burning, and savor the aromatic, apple-laden pastries.
Notes
- Select Fresh Apples: Choose crisp, tart varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for robust flavor and ideal texture in filling.
- Control Yeast Activation: Ensure milk temperature stays between 100-110°F to activate yeast without killing it, creating perfect dough rise.
- Knead Dough Thoroughly: Develop gluten by kneading 8-10 minutes, creating soft, elastic texture that ensures light, airy morning buns.
- Prevent Soggy Bottom: Sprinkle cornmeal or use parchment paper in muffin tin to absorb moisture and maintain crisp bun bottoms.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 13
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg