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Alright guys, let's keep the fall baking game strong eh?
Today I'm sharing with you these super yummy apple-stuffed buns!
The buns are super soft (oh yes believe me) and the apple filling is infused with spices that when you're baking these beauties, even your oven will be dancing in joy!
Yep yep yep.
Let's dive in.
Spiced Apple Filling
Yes let's talk about the apple filling for a moment.
I didn't grow up eating apples (I'm an Asian, and I grew up eating durian). Having said that, I learnt to adapt myself to seasonal change when I came and live here in Spain.
In my homeland country, we don't have 4 seasons. We have durian season, yes. Haha!
So all these years I noticed that with every season change, not only the temperature changes but the way of life also. You dress differently. You either go out more or less in a certain season. By the way, summer is my least favourite season and we stay inside most of the time.
*We're not weird. You're weird*. Haha!
And the produce in the summer is different from the winter. So you don't really cook the same food in the summer and in the winter. You don't really bake the same goodies in the summer and in the winter.
I get excited when it's fall because that means I can bake more hearty yummy goodies. And for me, fall means baked treats with apples, wonderful spices, and pumpkins, cooking hearty chili, and delicious soups and yes, my instant pot and the slow cooker will be working in full swing also.
Talking about apples, there are just no words to describe the feeling of the amazing smell of apples baked with spices like cinnamon and nutmeg in the colder season. It makes your heart warm and cosy. Makes you smile a bit wider.
And that's what the filling of these buns makes me feel. It's like a long tight loving welcome embrace to fall.
What Types Of Apple To Use?
I just used gala apples for this recipe and in my apple cinnamon rolls. I like them since they're sweeter and not so tart, so I don't need to use so much sugar for the filling. Besides, since it's not an apple pie and I'm not baking the buns that long, so they will still stay intact and look great.
You can of course use your favourite apple for baking. The choice is always in your hands.
Granny Smith? Pink Lady? Golden? Fuji? Or use a combo? Your pick.
Adjust the sugar and lemon juice (for the tartness) to your liking also.
Super Soft Fluffy Buns
If you've been following me for a while then you'll notice that I go crazy for bread. Yes, I do. I just love to make bread!
And I keep saying it over and over again, there's no greater smell than the smell of freshly baked bread.
These buns are super soft and fluffy. Take my word on that.
I modified my soft and fluffy milk buns for this recipe. Many of you have made that recipe, loved it and shared photos with me. And that's amazing! Whenever I received messages and photos, I feel so grateful. We both do. Keep them coming guys.
If you haven't started your fall baking yet, I would recommend you start with this. This is such an easy recipe to ease into the season. And guess what? I have many more exciting recipes coming. Tag me on Instagram at elmundoeats or use #elmundoeats.
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📖 Recipe
Apple Stuffed Buns
Video
Ingredients
The Dough
- 3 ½ cup bread flour (455 g)
- 2 tablespoon honey (40 g)
- 2 ¼ teaspoon instant yeast (7 g)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg , room temperature
- 1 cup warm milk (250 ml)
- 2 tablespoon butter (30 g), cubed and at room temperature
The Filling
- 1 lb gala apple (450 g), peeled, cored and cut into cubes
- ¼ cup coconut sugar (50 g)
- ⅓ cup water (80 ml)
- 1 tablespoon corn starch (8 g)
- ½ tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg powder
- ¼ teaspoon ginger powder
- 1 star anise
Instructions
The Dough
- Add all of the dough ingredients except butter, in a stand mixing bowl. Mix and incorporate all ingredients and then increase speed to knead for 10 minutes.
- Lower the speed back and while the machine is running, add the butter bit by bit, making sure it's well mixed after each addition. Then turn the speed back and continue kneading for another 10 minutes.
- Form the dough into a ball, place in a greased bowl and cover it tightly with cling film. Leave to rest until it doubles its size. Meanwhile let's do the filling.
The Filling
- Add all of the filling ingredients into a pan, mix well and cook on medium heat until the apple has softened a bit and the mixture thickened.
- Transfer into a bowl and cool completely before using.
Assembling
- After the dough has risen double its size, place it on a working surface and form it into a log. Cut it into 16 equal pieces. Form each piece into a ball.
- Take a ball and roll it into a disk the size of your palm, more or less. Spoon some filling on the center, bring the dough together and pinch tightly to seal. Place the ball into a 9 inch (23 cm) square pan that has been greased and lined. Continue with the rest.
- Cover the pan loosely with a cling film and leave until the buns puff up.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 350ºF (175ºC), no fan, at ⅔ lower rack for 25 minutes or until golden brown and fully cooked. Remove from the oven and dust the top with some icing sugar. Enjoy!
Mary says
I made these and we all loved them! I did a few substitutions but they still turned out really fluffy and wonderful. I bet they're even better with all the right ingredients! It's a keeper! I printed this recipe and after making it, I hole-punched it and put it in my "favorite family recipes" binder. I will definitely be checking out other recipes soon!
Bea & Marco says
Aww I'm so happy that our recipe made it in your recipe collection ❤️! Thank you for sharing that with me and yes, do check around here for more recipes. Our panettone is to die for (I'm bias, I know).
Sharon says
Hi there!
Greetings from Asia, I laughed while reading your post and thot.. now, are you folks Malaysians or Singaporeans. Anyway, I have the answers to that qn.
🙂 The recipe looks amazing, I’d like to make it as an open top bun exposing the apples in the center.. do you suppose I’ll need to adjust the fluids or anything else in the apple filling?
Bea says
Hi! I haven't made it like that but I'm thinking there's nothing to be changed since it doesn't take long to bake them anyways. I'm happy that you enjoyed the post! Haha!
Linda says
OMG the bread was so tender! Amazing recipe. Thanks!!!
Bea says
Thanks Linda! I'm happy you liked it 🙂
Giuseppe says
Can I make this with all purpose flour and traditional yeast?
Bea says
Though I'd not recommend it because the texture and rise will not be the same but yes, you can. You'll need to adjust the liquid amount accordingly. Hope it helps.
Christy says
Hi Bea,
Am from India, I love your recipes simple and easy to follow., I love apple pie too.., I wanted to make these soft apple buns but am not sure whether bread flour is whole wheat flour or all purpose flour..?
Bea says
Hi Christy! It's neither of those, bread flour is the flour to make bread, also known as strong flour and is with a higher gluten protein content.
Dhen Flores says
I'm gonna try this soon ms.bea. i love apple pie and its a good idea to do it in a buns way. Thanks for sharing this recipe. Love to receive more recipe from you. God Bless!
Bea says
Oh me too, apple pie is so yum! Have fun making these and hope you'll like them. Thanks Dhen! XO