Apple Pie & Cream Cheese Vatrushka Buns!

By Tatyana's Everyday Food · 180 min

Ingredients

Instructions

1. Heat the milk to about 110°F (43°C). Pour it into a large bowl and add the cooled melted butter, eggs, sugar, salt, vanilla and instant yeast. Whisk until the eggs are well beaten.
2. Gradually add the flour, about 1 cup at a time, whisking after each addition. When the batter thickens, switch to a spatula and stir in more flour until it forms a ball.
3. Turn the dough onto a well-floured surface, add the remaining flour and knead for about 5 minutes, until very smooth and elastic. The dough should be very soft and barely sticky.
4. Rest the dough for about 15 minutes. Divide it into 12 equal pieces and shape each into a smooth bun.
5. Line two large baking sheets with parchment or silicone mats and place 6 buns on each, well spaced. Press each bun into a flat disc.
6. Cover with a towel and proof in a warm, draft-free spot for about 1 hour, until doubled in size.
7. Make the apple filling: peel and finely dice the apples. Put them in a tall-sided pot with the sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, vanilla and water, and stir.
8. Cover and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Uncover, reduce to medium and cook 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender and translucent.
9. Mix the cornstarch with the 2 tablespoons of water, pour into the apples and cook about 1 minute, until the juices thicken. Remove from the heat and let cool to room temperature.
10. Make the cheese filling: beat the softened cream cheese until creamy and smooth. Add the powdered sugar, vanilla and sea salt and mix until creamy.
11. Make the streusel: put the sugar and flour in a bowl, grate in the very cold butter in batches, and rub together with your hands. Add 1–2 tablespoons of cream, just enough to bring it together.
12. Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Press a well into the centre of each proofed bun. Brush generously with egg wash (1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon of water).
13. Fill each well with about 1/4 to 1/3 cup of cream cheese filling, top with a heaping spoonful of apple filling, then sprinkle with streusel.
14. Bake both sheets at 350°F for 30–35 minutes, until deep golden at the edges. The filling will puff and stay soft and wobbly. Cool on the pans for 20–30 minutes before serving.

Summarized from Tatyana's Everyday Food's video. Watch it for the details.

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