Description
Pillowy soft, buttery brioche dough is topped with a cream cheese custard filling, brown sugar cinnamon apples, and a caramel apple cider. The caramel apple cider is the key to making these extra delicious, and packs a punch of fall flavors on top of the danish. These Caramel Apple Brioche Danishes make a great breakfast or brunch treat, but you can certainly enjoy them as an afternoon snack, or dessert at the end of the day.
Ingredients
Dough
- 1 cup warm milk (warmed to 110F)
- 1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) instant dry yeast
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 3 1/4 cups bread flour (or all-purpose)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg
- 5 tablespoons butter, softened
Cream Cheese Filling
- 8 ounces cream cheese filling
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Apple Filling
- 1 large apple, peeled, chopped
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Topping
- Brown sugar
Egg Wash
- 1 beaten egg, for brushing on dough before baking
Apple Cider Caramel
- 1 cup apple cider
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
Instructions
1. Make the Dough. In the bowl of a stand mixer, fitted with the dough hook attachment, add all ingredients for dough. Knead dough on medium speed for 5 minutes. Remove dough from bowl and place in lightly greased bowl.
2. Allow the dough to rise. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and allow to rise in a warm place for 45 minutes. To create a warm environment you may turn your oven on to 100F. Once the oven reaches this temperature, turn the oven OFF. Place the covered bowl in the warm oven.
3. While the dough rises, make the cream cheese filling. In a large bowl, using a handheld mixer, or the bowl of a stand mixer using the paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese and sugar until smooth and creamy. Add in the egg yolk and vanilla extract. Beat until smooth and creamy. Set aside.
4. Make the apple filling. In a large bowl, add all ingredients for apple filling. Toss to combine. Set aside.
5. Make the apple cider caramel. In a large pan, add apple cider and ground cinnamon. Bring to a boil. Boil for 5-10 minutes until reduced and thickened, stirring frequently. Reduce heat to medium and stir in sugar. Stir until sugar dissolves, then allow to bubble for 30 seconds. Remove from heat. Slowly stir in heavy cream and butter. Pour caramel into a glass jar to store.
6. Once dough is done rising, punch dough down and turn out onto lightly floured surface. Divide dough into 8 roughly equal pieces. Roll each ball into a circle, then place on a parchment paper lined baking sheet.
7. Preheat oven to 350F.
8. Gently press the center of the dough down. Flatten out the dough leaving a small border into a 4.5 inch circle. Place a scoop of cream cheese mixture in the center of the dough. Spread evenly across center. Top with apple mixture. Repeat with remaining dough. Brush the edges of the dough with a beaten egg, then sprinkle with brown sugar.
9. Â Bake in preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown in color.
10. Top with apple cider caramel and enjoy!
- Prep Time: 60
- Cook Time: 15
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American