Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
For apples: In a large bowl, stir together apples, granulated sugar, lemon juice, and pie spice. Let stand for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Spread apple mixture in an even layer on prepared pan.
Bake until apples are fork-tender and have released significant moisture, 12 to 14 minutes, rotating pan and stirring halfway through baking. (Apples will be slightly reduced in size but should still retain their shape.) Let cool on pan on a wire rack.
For dough: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat 1/2 cup (62g) flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, yeast, and salt at medium-low speed until combined. Add warm milk, eggs, and vanilla; beat at medium speed until combined, about 2 minutes, stopping to scrape sides of bowl. With mixer on low speed, gradually add remaining 1 1/2 cups (188g) flour, beating just until combined.
Switch to the dough hook attachment. Beat at low speed until dough is relatively smooth, elastic, and starts to pull away from sides of bowl, 6 to 9 minutes, stopping to scrape sides of bowl and dough hook. Add butter, 1 tablespoon (14g) at a time, beating until combined after each addition (6 to 8 minutes total); scrape sides of bowl and dough hook. (Dough may look slightly broken during this process but will come together.) Increase mixer speed to medium-low; beat until a smooth, elastic dough forms, about 6 minutes, stopping to scrape sides of bowl and dough hook. (Dough should pass the windowpane test; see Notes2.)
Turn out dough onto a clean surface; knead 4 to 5 times. Shape into a smooth round. Place dough in a large ungreased bowl; cover and let rise in a warm, draft-free place (75°F/24°C) until doubled in size, 45 minutes to 1 hour. (See Notes3.)
Preheat oven to 325°F (170°C). Spray a 9-inch springform pan with baking spray with flour. Line bottom of pan with parchment paper.
Punch down dough; cover and let stand for 10 minutes. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough into an 11½-inch circle. (Do not flour top of dough.) Using a cake pan or plate, score a 9-inch circle in center of dough. Fold and press outside edges in a diagonal pattern about ¼ inch over score mark to create a crimped edge. Lift dough, and place in prepared pan, making sure dough is even and completely covers bottom of pan. Crimp and secure edges again as needed. Cover and let rise in a warm, draft-free place (75°F/24°C) for 25 minutes. (Dough will be puffed and hold an indentation when poked.)
For filling: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, salt, and pie spice at medium speed until well combined. Gradually add cream cheese, beating until smooth. Add egg, beating until combined. Beat in flour until smooth and well combined, stopping to scrape sides of bowl.
Using your fingertips, dimple center of dough back down, leaving outside crust as is. Crimp and secure edges again as needed; press out any air bubbles trapped underneath. Spoon and spread cream cheese mixture in an even layer in center of dough. Arrange apples slightly overlapping in two concentric circles. (Discard or save any leftover apple slices as a snack.)
In a small bowl, whisk together egg and 1 tablespoon (15g) water. Brush outer edge of dough with egg wash, and sprinkle with pearl sugar.
Bake for 20 minutes. Rotate pan, and cover with foil; bake until crust is golden brown, filling is set around outside edges and slightly jiggly in center, and an instant-read thermometer inserted in center registers 175°F (79°C), 25 to 28 minutes more. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes. Using a small offset spatula, loosen edges of bread. Remove sides of pan. Let cool completely on pan base on a wire rack. Brush apple slices with jelly or preserves (if using) before slicing and serving.