meat floss bread

How to Make Pineapple Buns: A Step-by-Step Guide

Pineapple buns, a beloved Hong Kong pastry, feature a sweet, crackly topping resembling a pineapple’s skin, paired with a soft, buttery bun. Here’s a simple recipe to recreate this classic at home.

Ingredients:

For the bun: 300g bread flour, 30g sugar, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp instant yeast, 120ml warm milk, 1 egg, 50g unsalted butter (softened). For the topping: 50g sugar, 1 egg yolk, 2 tbsp flour, 1 tbsp milk, a pinch of salt.

Steps:

1. Make the dough: Mix flour, sugar, salt, and yeast. Add warm milk and egg, knead until smooth. Incorporate softened butter and knead for 10–15 minutes until elastic. Let the dough rise in a warm place for 1–2 hours until doubled.

2. Prepare the topping: Cream sugar and egg yolk, add flour, milk, and salt. Mix into a thick paste.

3. Shape and proof: Divide the dough into 8 portions, roll into balls. Place on a baking tray. Spread topping over each bun, creating a crosshatch pattern with a knife. Let rise for 30 minutes.

4. Bake: Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Bake for 15–18 minutes until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack.

Enjoy these buns plain, with butter, or as a base for pork floss—a perfect blend of textures and flavors!