Introduction: Apple & Caramel Buns

A soft brioche, a delicious filling with candied apples and a little caramel on top. It’s just happiness in the mouth. For kneading use the hook of the food processor. If you don’t have one you can knead by hand, it will just be longer and more tiring, but then consider it as a workout!

Supplies

EQUIPEMENTS

  • Mixer equipped with a baking hook (or by hand)
  • Pan
  • Oven dish
  • Pastry roll
  • Hand mixer
  • Baking parchment


INGREDIENTS


FOR THE DOUGH (THE DAY BEFORE)

  • 500 g flour
  • 320 ml milk
  • 50 g butter cut in dice
  • 20 g fresh yeast (or 7 g dry yeast)
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • 1/2 tsp salt

FOR THE APPLE FILLING

  • 3 apples
  • 1 know of butter
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 1 tsp water

FOR THE CINNAMON BUTTER

  • 75 g softened butter
  • 75 g sugar
  • 1 tbsp cinnamon
  • 1 pinch salt

FOR THE CARAMEL (OPTIONAL)

  • 100 g sugar
  • 80 g heavy cream warm
  • 30 g butter cold, cut into dices




FOR THE DOUGH (THE DAY BEFORE)

  • Warm the milk in a saucepan. Add the butter and let it melt.
  • In the bowl of the stand mixer put the flour, sugar and salt. Add the yeast, crumbled, and the milk/butter mixture. Mix on low speed for about 2 minutes, then increase the speed to medium and knead for about 5 minutes, until the dough is homogeneous and doesn't stick to the sides.
  • Film the bowl and place it in the refrigerator overnight.
  • The next day take out the dough (which will have doubled in volume) and leave it at room temperature for 30 minutes. In the meantime prepare the apples.

Step 1:

FOR THE APPLE FILLING


Peel the apples and cut them into small cubes.

Step 2:

Cook the apples with the butter, sugar and water for 10 minutes until cooked. Set aside.

Step 3:

FOR THE CINNAMON BUTTER


Mix the softened butter with the sugar, cinnamon and salt. Set aside


Step 4:

TO FINALIZE
  • Line a baking dish with parchment paper, or grease it.
  • On a floured surface, spread the dough in 1 rectangle.

Step 5:

Spread the butter/cinnamon over the entire surface.

Step 6:

Spread the apples cubes onto the dough

Step 7:

Starting from the longest side, roll the dough.

Cut 12 pieces of identical size (this is where the filling can escape).

Step 8:

Place the rolls in the baking dish, face upwards, leaving a space between them (as they will rise).

Step 9:

Cover with a clean cloth and let them rest for 1 to 1.5 hours. The buns will rise.

Step 10:

PREHEAT THE OVEN TO 200°C (400°F).

Bake the buns for 35 to 40 minutes.


You can gobble it up simply this way or add the caramel topic, see what I prefer and extra tips on my blog with descriptive details on how to cook effortlessly, for YOU!


FOR THE CARAMEL (OPTIONAL)
  • Make a dry caramel. Heat a saucepan. Add the sugar 3 times, waiting for the previous portion to melt and caramelize. Be careful not to burn your caramel.
  • Add the warm cream in small fractions, while mixing. Beware of splashes!
  • Then add the cold butter. Mix until it is melted. Finish by mixing with the hand blender. Reserve at room temperature.
  • Pour caramel on top of the buns once they are cooked.