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Tender Apple Cinnamon Cream Cheese Pull-Apart Bread

apple cinnamon cream cheese pull-apart bread - featured image
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A soft and tender homemade breakfast bread featuring layers of spiced apples and creamy cinnamon cream cheese filling, perfect for a cozy morning or brunch.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour (420g)
  • 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (one packet)
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar (50g)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup whole milk (240ml), warmed to about 110°F (43°C)
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (57g), melted
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced (Fuji or Honeycrisp recommended)
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • ½ cup brown sugar (100g)
  • 8 ounces cream cheese (225g), softened
  • ¼ cup powdered sugar (30g)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Optional: turbinado sugar or coarse sugar for sprinkling on top
  • Optional: melted butter for brushing the top

Instructions

  1. Activate the yeast by combining warm milk (110°F/43°C), granulated sugar, and yeast in a small bowl. Stir gently and let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
  2. In a large bowl or stand mixer, whisk together flour and salt. Add melted butter, egg, and the foamy yeast mixture. Mix until a shaggy dough forms.
  3. Knead the dough for 8–10 minutes by hand or 6–7 minutes with a mixer until smooth and elastic, soft but not sticky.
  4. Lightly grease a clean bowl, place the dough inside, turning to coat. Cover and let rise in a warm spot for 1–1.5 hours until doubled in size.
  5. Prepare the filling by mixing softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth. Toss sliced apples with brown sugar and cinnamon until evenly coated.
  6. Punch down the risen dough gently. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough into a 12×16-inch rectangle. Slice into 4×4-inch squares.
  7. Spread a thin layer of cream cheese filling on each square, add a few apple slices on top. Stack 4–5 layers of squares.
  8. Transfer the stack into a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan, arranging squares so they can be pulled apart after baking.
  9. Cover the loaf pan loosely and let rise again for 30–40 minutes until puffy.
  10. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Brush top with melted butter and sprinkle with turbinado sugar if desired.
  11. Bake for 35–40 minutes until golden brown and cooked through (toothpick inserted should come out clean).
  12. Cool bread in pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack. Serve warm or at room temperature, pulling apart the layers.

Notes

Ensure milk is not hotter than 120°F to avoid killing yeast. Let cream cheese soften but not melt to prevent tearing dough. Do not overload apple slices to avoid soggy dough. If bread browns too fast, tent with foil halfway through baking. For dairy-free, use almond milk and dairy-free cream cheese. For gluten-free, use gluten-free flour blend and xanthan gum.

Nutrition

Keywords: apple cinnamon bread, pull-apart bread, cream cheese bread, breakfast bread, homemade bread, cinnamon apple recipe, easy breakfast bread

Find it online: https://sofiaspice.com/tender-apple-cinnamon-cream-cheese-pull-apart-bread-recipe-easy-homemade-breakfast-bread/