Apfel-Cheesecake Buns mit Streuseln (Apple Cheesecake Crumb Buns)

Prepare the Dough: In a large bowl, combine 400g flour, 10g dry yeast, 60g granulated sugar, 1 packet vanilla sugar, and a pinch of salt. Add 200ml lukewarm milk and 1 egg. Knead until a rough dough forms, then add 65g room temperature butter and knead until the dough is smooth and elastic. Cover the bowl and let the dough rise in a warm place for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.

Make the Apple Filling: Peel and dice the 2 apples. In a saucepan, combine the diced apples, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1 teaspoon starch, and 50ml water. Cook over medium heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples are tender and the liquid has thickened. Remove from heat and let cool completely.

Prepare the Cheesecake Filling: In a small bowl, combine 200g cream cheese, 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, and 1 packet vanilla sugar. Mix until smooth and well combined.

Prepare the Streusel: In a separate small bowl, combine 20g cold butter, 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, and 60g flour. Use your fingertips to rub the ingredients together until a crumbly mixture forms.

Assemble the Buns: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the risen dough into a large rectangle (approximately 30x40 cm or 12x16 inches). Evenly spread the cheesecake filling over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges. Then, spoon and spread the cooled apple filling over the cheesecake layer. Carefully roll up the dough tightly from one of the longer sides. Using a sharp knife or dental floss, slice the roll into 8-10 equal pieces.

Second Proof: Arrange the sliced buns in a baking dish lined with parchment paper, leaving some space between them. Cover loosely with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let them rise again in a warm place for another 30 minutes.

Bake the Buns: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Lightly brush the tops of the risen buns with the beaten egg yolk. Sprinkle the prepared streusel topping evenly over the buns. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the buns are golden brown and cooked through.

Apply Icing: While the buns are cooling, prepare the icing. In a small bowl, whisk together 150g powdered sugar with 2-3 tablespoons of milk or lemon juice until smooth and of drizzling consistency. Drizzle the icing over the cooled buns before serving.