Salted Caramel Apple Crumble Buns – Fluffy Bakery-Style Buns with Custard & Apple Pie Filling

These Salted Caramel Apple Crumble Buns are giant, bakery-style treats stuffed with cream cheese custard, homemade apple pie filling, buttery crumble, and finished with a drizzle of salted caramel. Perfect for fall baking and cozy brunch spreads!

Recipe Type: Breakfast, Dessert

Prep Time: 2

Cook Time: 20

Total Time: 2 20

Servings: giant buns

Ingredients

Brioche Buns:

¾ cup whole milk, heated to 100–110°F 180 ml
2 tsp active dry yeast 6 g
¼ cup granulated sugar 50 g
1 large egg
2 ½ cups bread flour or all-purpose flour 280 g
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp fine-grain salt 5 g
3 tbsp unsalted butter, room temp, cubed 43 g

Egg Wash:

1 egg

Cream Cheese Filling:

8 oz cream cheese, room temp 225 g
2 tbsp heavy cream 30 ml
1 tsp vanilla extract 5 ml
½ cup powdered sugar 120 g

Apple Pie Filling:

2 cups peeled, finely diced apples about 2 medium apples, 300 g
2 tbsp unsalted butter 28 g
2 tbsp light brown sugar 25 g
½ tsp cinnamon 1 g
1 tsp cornstarch 3 g

Crumble Topping:

3 tbsp melted unsalted butter 43 g
½ cup all-purpose flour 60 g
½ cup light brown sugar 100 g
1 tsp vanilla extract 5 ml

Salted Caramel Drizzle

½ cup salted caramel 60 ml, store-bought or homemade

Instructions

Activate the Yeast

Heat milk to 100–110°F. Stir in yeast and let sit 5–10 minutes until bubbly and foamy.

Make the Dough

In a stand mixer, combine milk mixture with sugar and egg. Add flour, cinnamon, and salt, then knead for 5 minutes.Add cubed butter one tablespoon at a time and knead for another 5 minutes.Cover and let rise for 1–2 hours, until doubled.

Make the Apple Pie Filling

In a skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add diced apples, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Cook 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until apples are soft and jammy.Stir in cornstarch during the last minute to thicken. Remove from heat and let cool.

Shape the Buns

Punch down the dough and divide into 6 equal portions. Roll each into a ball and flatten slightly.Press the center down and push sides outward to form a “bowl” or divot (5–6 inches wide).Place on parchment-lined sheet and brush edges with egg wash.

Make the Cream Cheese Custard

Beat cream cheese until smooth. Add vanilla and heavy cream, mixing well.Slowly beat in powdered sugar until fluffy.Pipe into the center of each bun.

Assemble the Buns

Drizzle salted caramel. Spoon cooled apple pie filling over the custard.Mix crumble ingredients and sprinkle around the edges of each bun.

Bake

Bake at 375°F for 20–25 minutes, until golden and set.

Cool and Finish

Let cool 15 minutes so the custard sets.Drizzle generously with salted caramel before serving.