• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Tasha's Artisan Foods

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Mother's Day Recipes
  • Recipe Index
  • About
  • Subscribe
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Mother's Day Recipes
  • Recipe Index
  • About
  • Subscribe
ร—
Home > Recipes > Buns & Rolls

Published: Feb 28, 2022 ยท Last Updated On: Sep 24, 2024 by Natasha Minocha

Pineapple Buns

15 shares
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

When it comes to pineapple buns, above all else, freshness matters. The crispy, crackly golden-hued buns with crumbs barely accented with a sweet flavor are so delicious that they trick you into having one too many. 

And, FYI, the buns donโ€™t taste or smell like pineapple.

Pineapple Buns | Easy pineapple buns recipe

Then why are pineapple buns called pineapple buns?

Even though there is no pineapple in them, theyโ€™re called so because of their topping. Each bun is crowned with a layer of dough that has the same checkered pattern as the skin of the tropical fruit. Also, the buns are yellow and sweet like the fruit.

Jump to:

What are pineapple buns?

Pineapple bun recipe

Serving pineapple buns

More bun recipes

What are pineapple buns?

Pineapple buns are classic pastries that originated in Hong Kong and are commonly made during the Chinese New Year. The sweet baked buns are a staple in bakeries so much so that theyโ€™ve been made a part of the countryโ€™s intangible cultural heritage by the Hong Kong government. 

How to make pineapple buns?

Before I begin, Iโ€™d like to mention that the credit for this recipe goes to Lisa Lin and her blog, Healthy Nibbles. I followed the recipe to the T and thatโ€™s what I recommend to everyone. 

It's a bit longish and involved, but youโ€™re using the most basic pantry items, nothing fancy. So, itโ€™s not complicated. And if you have all the ingredients laid out beforehand, everything falls into line like clockwork.

Thatโ€™s another tip I recommend for pineapple buns. Gather and measure every ingredient using a weighing scale. Itโ€™ll make the process so much faster and easier, so nothing goes amiss.

Pineapple Buns | Easy pineapple buns recipe

Step 1: make the bun dough

  • Begin by making the tangzhong. Heat water and flour in a pan on a medium flame. Cook till the mixture takes on the consistency of a paste. 
  • Take off the heat and let it cool further. 
  • In the meantime, start working on the bun dough. First, whisk yeast,sugar, and milk in a bowl and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes. Keep it in a draft-free corner till itโ€™s frothy.
  • Next, sift flour and salt for the bun dough. Add the yeast milk mixture, condensed milk, egg, and melted butter, followed by the cooled tangzhong and activated yeast. 
  • Knead till you have a smooth dough that is not sticky to the touch.ย I used my stand mixer. The kneading took about 8- 10 minutes.
  • Place it in a well-greased bowl, cover with a wet kitchen cloth, and let it rest till it doubles in size. 
Making the dough for Pineapple buns
Dough for Pineapple Buns | Easy pineapple buns recipe
Pineapple Buns | Easy pineapple buns recipe

Step 2: make the topping dough

  • While the bun dough proofs, beat butter and superfine sugar with a whisk. Add the egg yolk, milk, and vanilla extract. 
  • Whisk till you have a thickish mixture, then fold in the flour, baking powder, and turmeric. You donโ€™t taste the turmeric, it just lends color, making the buns look pineapple yellow.
  • Go in with your hands and then knead till a smooth dough forms.
  • Shape it into a ball, put it in a bowl, cover it, and then let this topping dough sit until needed.
Topping for Pineapple Buns | Easy pineapple buns recipe

Step 3: shape the buns and second proof them

  • When your bun dough has doubled in volume, take it out of the bowl and punch it down.
  • Knead to get rid of any surplus trapped air. Then divide the dough into 12 equal balls.
  • Place each ball on a lined baking tray. 
  • Once more, cover with a kitchen towel and then let them rise to 1.5x their original size.
Pineapple Buns | Easy pineapple buns recipe

Step 4: shape the topping dough

  • As you wait for the buns to second proof, work on the topping dough. 
  • Split it into 12 equal portions. 
  • Use your palms to shape each portion into a ball and then place it between two sheets of wax paper (or you can use two plastic sheets).
  • Roll out each portion into a flat disc. 
  • Make sure the size is smaller than the bun because the topping expands as it bakes. 
Place the topping disc on top of the buns

Step 5: assemble and bake the pineapple buns

  • Gently drape the topping discs on each of the buns.
  • Brush it with egg wash, made by mixing milk and an egg. 
  • Slide the baking tray into a preheated oven and bake for about 15 minutes, till the top is burnished yellow and starts to look like pineapple skin. 
  • Let them cool on the tray a tad, then transfer them to a wire rack. 
Pineapple Buns | Easy pineapple buns recipe

My tips to making and enjoying the fluffiest pineapple buns

Thereโ€™s not much to making pineapple buns. Yes, it took some time, but itโ€™s a labor of love thatโ€™ll turn your dining table into a spectacle of silence with only munching noises filling the air. 

To make bo lo bao (as theyโ€™re called in Chinese) soft on the inside and crispy on the outside, pay attention to the tangzhong. Itโ€™s the key. The flour and water paste make the sweet buns fluffier with the lightest crumb. 

Pineapple Buns | Easy pineapple buns recipe
How to eat pineapple buns?

Hands down, the buns are the best the day they are made. I can attest to that because my household had them both waysโ€”fresh and reheated. They taste so much better when out of the oven, mildly sweet with a pillowy interior and a crunchy crown. 

We enjoyed them with just cups of tea. You can pair the buns with coffee, and theyโ€™re also wonderful with a pat of butter. If there are leftovers, which is not a likely scenario, reheat them in a preheated oven. 

Reasons to try pineapple buns

Softest buns 

With the crispiest crown 

That you can eat for lunch, snack or dinner 

And because tangzhong method will forever change the way you make bread!

Pineapple Buns | Easy pineapple buns recipe

More soft rolls and bun recipes

Vegan Sweet Buns

Tiger Bread Recipe

Easy Pretzel Rolls

Hot Cross Buns

Parker House Rolls

Eggless Brioche

๐Ÿ“– Recipe

Pineapple Buns | Easy pineapple buns recipe

Pineapple Buns

Natasha Minocha
Pineapple Buns - The crispy, crackly golden-hued buns with crumbs barely accented with a sweet flavor are so delicious that they trick you into having one too many.ย 
No ratings yet
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 2 hours hrs 30 minutes mins
Cook Time 15 minutes mins
Course Side Dish, Snack
Cuisine Hong Kong
Servings 12 Buns
Calories 362 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

Tangzhong Paste

  • 2 tbsp All-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup Water

Bun Dough

  • 4.9 oz Milk, lukewarm
  • 2 1/4 tsp Dried active yeast
  • 1.5 tbsp Sugar
  • 4 cup All-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 1/4 cup Condensed milk
  • 1 Egg
  • 1/4 cup Butter, melted

Topping

  • 1/4 cup Butter, softened
  • 2/3 cup Caster sugar
  • 1 Egg yolk
  • 1 tbsp Milk, lukewarm
  • 1 tsp Vanilla extract
  • 1 cup All-purpose flour
  • 1/4 tsp Baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp Turmeric powder

Egg Wash

  • 1 Egg
  • 1 tbsp Milk

Instructions
 

Tangzhong Paste

  • Combine the flour and water in a small saucepan.
  • Cook this mixture on low heat, whisking continuously till you get a thickish paste. This will take about 2-3 minutes.
  • Transfer the paste into a bowl and keep aside to cool. This will thicken more as it cools.

Bun Dough

  • Whisk together the sugar, milk, and yeast in a small bowl. Keep in a draft-free place for 10-15 minutes until its frothy.
  • Combine the all-purpose flour, salt, condensed milk, egg, melted butter, tangzhong, and the yeast mixture in the bowl of your stand mixer.
  • Mix the dough, using the dough hook, on low for 8-10 minutes, until the dough is smooth and elastic.
    You can certainly knead the dough with your hands. It will take a bit longer - 10-12 minutes.
  • Turn it out on your work surface and knead for 2 minutes. Place it in a well-greased bowl, cover with a wet kitchen cloth, and let it rest till it doubles in size.ย 

Topping

  • While the dough for the buns is resting, make the dough for topping.
  • Beat together the butter and sugar.
  • Add the egg yolk, milk, and vanilla extract.
  • Sift together the flour, baking powder, and turmeric and add to the butter mixture.
  • Bring the dough together using your hands. Kneading it very briefly, just 1-2 minutes, till you get a smooth dough.
  • Cover and keep aside for later use.
  • When your bun dough has doubled in volume, take it out of the bowl and punch it down.
  • Knead to get rid of any surplus trapped air. Then divide the dough into 12 equal balls.
  • Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
  • Place each ball on a lined baking tray.ย 
  • Once more, cover with a kitchen towel and then let them rise to 1.5x their original size.
  • Preheat your oven to 190 C.
  • While the buns are proofing, make the topping discs.
  • Split the dough into 12 equal portions.ย 
  • Use your palms to shape each portion into a ball and then place it between two sheets of wax paper (or you can use two plastic sheets).
  • Roll out each portion into a flat disc.ย Make sure the size of the disc is smaller than the bun.
  • Carefully drape each disc onto the buns. Make sure the bottom of the topping doesn't touch the tray, it will burn!
  • Brush it with egg wash and bake at 190 Cย for 15-17 minutes, until the topping is burnished yellow. Let the buns cool on the tray for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
  • Serve warm, fresh out of the oven, and enjoy!

Egg wash

  • Whisk together the egg and milk in a small bowl.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 ServingCalories: 362kcalCarbohydrates: 59gProtein: 8gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 68mgSodium: 291mgPotassium: 124mgFiber: 2gSugar: 17gVitamin A: 341IUVitamin C: 0.2mgCalcium: 58mgIron: 3mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Pineapple Buns PIN

More Soft & Fluffy Buns & Rolls Recipes

  • Strawberry cream cheese rolls stacked on a cake stand with strawberries on the side.
    Strawberry Cream Cheese Rolls
  • Homemade pretzel buns on parchment paper.
    Homemade Pretzel Buns
  • A basket of English muffins made without an oven.
    Homemade English Muffins
  • Salted Butter Rolls Recipe
    Salted Butter Rolls Recipe
15 shares

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

New-Cover-4-1024x934

Hi, I'm Natasha Minocha!
Welcome to Tashaโ€™s Artisan Foods!

More about me โ†’

subscribe + receive

My 5 Most Viral Recipes


Popular Recipes

  • mushroom quiche on a platter with ingredients in the background.
    Mushroom Quiche

  • chocolate fudge squares stacked on top of each other on small plate.
    Chocolate Fudge With Condensed Milk

  • Easiest Homemade Cream Cheese | Homemade Cream Cheese Recipe
    Easiest Homemade Cream Cheese

  • Cinnamon Bread Pudding
    Cinnamon Bread Pudding

  • Korean Corn Cheese in a cast iron skillet.
    Korean Corn Cheese Recipe

  • Best Condensed Milk Bread Rolls (Soft & Fluffy)
    Best Condensed Milk Bread Rolls (Soft & Fluffy)

Mother's Day Recipes

  • Mango Mousse
    The Best Mango Mousse Recipe! (3 Ingredients)

  • The Best French Toast Casserole Recipe
    The Best French Toast Casserole Recipe

  • Carrot Cake Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting
    Carrot Cake Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting

  • Fluffy Cinnamon Pancakes easy eggless breakfast/ brunch recipe
    The Fluffiest Cinnamon Pancakes Recipe

  • Lemon Poppyseed Cupcakes on a cake stand.
    Lemon Poppyseed Cupcakes

  • strawberry matcha latte in a glass on a small plate with ingredients in the background.
    Strawberry Matcha Latte

See More Mother's Day Recipes โ†’

Footer

โ†‘ back to top

subscribe + receive

My 5 Most Viral Recipes


Tashaโ€™s Artisan Foods

About

Work With Me

Connect With Me

Browse Recipes

Desserts

Snacks

Breads

Cakes

Baking Guides

Published with WordPress

PRIVACY POLICY

COPYRIGHT ยฉ 2025 TASHA'S ARTISAN FOODS

15 shares

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required