envy™ Apple and Cinnamon Buns

• Servings

  12

INGREDIENTS

• 500g tipo 00 or plain flour, sifted, plus extra for dusting
• 7 g dry active yeast
• 80g caster sugar
• 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp ground cardamom
• Pinch of sea salt
• 2 eggs
• 1 vanilla pod, seeds scraped or 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 200ml full-cream milk, plus extra for brushing
• 80 g unsalted butter, cubed
• envy™ Apple Filling
• 3 envy™ apples, peeled, cored and diced into 1.5 cm pieces
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• Juice of half a lemon
• Cinnamon filling
• 100 g unsalted butter, softened
• 80g brown sugar
• 50g caster sugar
• 1 tsp ground cardamom
• 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
• Pinch of sea salt
• Brown Sugar Frosting
• 3 tbsp brown sugar
• 250g cream cheese

METHOD

• In a large bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, combine the flour, yeast, sugar, spices and salt. Mix briefly on low just to combine, then add the eggs and vanilla and set aside.
• Warm the milk together with the butter in a small saucepan over a low heat until the butter has melted (to about 38C on an instant-read thermometer). If it feels too hot, simply allow it to cool briefly. With the mixture on low, stream in the warm milk mixture then increase the speed to medium and mix for 7-8 minutes or until the dough is glossy and elastic.
• Transfer the dough to a lightly buttered large bowl and fold the dough in on itself a few times to create a smooth ball, then cover and allow to rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, until doubled in size.
• For the apple filling, warm the butter in a large frying pan over a low-medium heat and add the apples and lemon juice. Cook the envy™ apples for 12-15 minutes or until softened but still holding their shape. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.
• Meanwhile, to make the cinnamon filling, combine all of the ingredients in a small bowl and mix to a smooth paste. Set aside.
• Preheat the oven to 190C. Grease and line a 30x20cm rectangular deep cake pan.
• Tip the dough onto a lightly floured work surface. Roll out to a 40 cm × 30 cm rectangle. Spread the cinnamon filling evenly over the dough, right up to the edges. Scatter over the cooked envy™ apples. Starting at a longer edge, roll the dough into a log shape to create a spiral.
• Use a sharp knife to cut into approximately 3cm wide slices. Place the buns, spiral-side up, into the prepared tray. Cover and allow to prove for another 45 minutes or until puffy and risen.
• Brush the buns with milk and bake for 20-25 minutes until golden and risen. Allow to cool.
• Place the brown sugar together in a small bowl with the cream cheese and mix until it is smooth. Spoon the frosting over the buns and serve.