Easy Pineapple Buns

Soft, fluffy, and irresistibly golden, these Easy Pineapple Buns are a delightful treat inspired by the classic Hong Kong bakery favorite, made simpler for home bakers. Despite their name, there's no actual pineapple involved—these sweet buns are topped with a buttery, crumbly pastry crust scored in a pineapple-like pattern, creating a uniquely textured and visually stunning bread. With a pillowy interior and a caramelized topping that melts in your mouth, these buns strike the perfect balance of flavors and textures. Requiring just a few pantry staples like all-purpose flour, sugar, and butter, this recipe is approachable yet impressive. Whether you're new to bread-making or a seasoned baker, the step-by-step instructions and accessible ingredients make crafting bakery-quality pineapple buns at home incredibly rewarding. Serve them fresh and warm with a cup of tea or coffee for the ultimate comfort food experience.

Nutriscore Rating: 57/100

Prep Time:120 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:135 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 250 grams All-purpose flour
• 120 milliliters Milk
• 40 grams Sugar
• 40 grams Unsalted butter (softened)
• 7 grams Instant yeast
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 1 large Egg
• 100 grams Cake flour
• 55 grams Powdered sugar
• 1 large Egg yolk
• 1 teaspoon Baking powder
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon Milk (for pastry topping)

Directions

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, sugar, salt, and instant yeast for the dough.

Step 2

Warm the milk slightly (lukewarm, not hot) and add it to the dry ingredients.

Step 3

Lightly beat the egg and add it to the mixture.

Step 4

Knead the dough by hand or using a stand mixer with a dough hook until it comes together.

Step 5

Add the softened butter and continue kneading for about 8–10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.

Step 6

Cover the dough with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.

Step 7

While the dough is rising, make the pastry topping by creaming together the softened butter, powdered sugar, and egg yolk in a bowl.

Step 8

Mix in the cake flour, baking powder, vanilla extract, and milk until a soft, pliable dough forms.

Step 9

Divide the pastry topping into 8 equal portions and roll each piece into a flat, circular disc. Cover and set aside.

Step 10

Once the dough has risen, punch it down and divide it into 8 equal portions. Roll each portion into a round ball and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Step 11

Place a pastry disc on top of each bun, slightly pressing it down to cover the bun's surface.

Step 12

Use a knife to gently score a crisscross pattern on the pastry topping, mimicking the texture of a pineapple skin.

Step 13

Cover the buns loosely and let them proof again for about 30 minutes.

Step 14

Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) during the second proofing.

Step 15

Once proofed, bake the buns in the preheated oven for 12–15 minutes, or until the pastry topping is golden brown.

Step 16

Allow the buns to cool slightly on a wire rack before serving. Enjoy warm or at room temperature!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	708.6 grams (708.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2193

Total Fat 51.30g	66%
Saturated Fat 26.40g	132%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.00g
Cholesterol 503mg	168%
Sodium 2992mg	130%
Total Carbohydrate 374.80g	136%
Dietary Fiber 11.50g	41%
Total Sugars 102.10g
Protein 52.50g	105%

Vitamin D 149IU	743%
Calcium 271mg	21%
Iron 15mg	81%
Potassium 763mg	16%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 21.3%

Protein: 9.7%

Carbs: 69.1%