Description
Delight in these Strawberry and Cream Cheese Pineapple Buns, featuring soft homemade buns topped with a sweet cookie crust and filled with a creamy strawberry-infused cream cheese mixture. Inspired by classic Hong Kong bakery treats, these buns balance fruity freshness with rich, buttery textures, perfect for dessert or an indulgent snack.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Buns
- 2½ cups bread flour
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 2¼ tsp instant yeast
- ¾ cup warm milk
- 1 egg
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter (softened)
For the Cookie Topping
- â…“ cup unsalted butter (softened)
- â…“ cup powdered sugar
- 1 egg yolk
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- â…” cup cake flour
- 1 tbsp milk powder
For the Filling
- ½ cup cream cheese (softened)
- 2 tbsp powdered sugar
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup fresh strawberries (diced)
For the Egg Wash
- 1 egg (beaten)
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a mixing bowl, combine bread flour, sugar, salt, and instant yeast. Add warm milk and one egg, then knead the mixture until a dough forms. Incorporate the softened butter and knead for about 10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic. Cover the bowl and allow the dough to rise until it doubles in size, approximately 1 hour.
- Make the Cookie Topping: While the dough is rising, cream together softened butter and powdered sugar in another bowl until light and fluffy. Mix in the egg yolk and vanilla extract. Gradually fold in cake flour and milk powder until you have a soft dough. Wrap the topping dough in plastic wrap and chill to firm up.
- Prepare the Filling: In a separate bowl, combine softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. Gently fold in diced fresh strawberries. Chill this filling until ready to use to maintain firmness.
- Shape the Buns: Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release air. Divide the dough into 8 equal portions. Flatten each piece and place a spoonful of chilled strawberry cream cheese filling in the center. Carefully seal the edges and shape into smooth balls. Place the shaped buns on a baking tray and let them rise again for 30 to 40 minutes.
- Apply Cookie Topping and Egg Wash: Roll out the chilled cookie topping dough and cut into rounds sized to fit the buns. Place one round on top of each bun. Brush each bun with beaten egg wash to ensure a shiny golden finish after baking.
- Bake the Buns: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the buns for 18–20 minutes or until they are golden brown and cooked through.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the buns to cool slightly on a wire rack before serving. Enjoy them warm for the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Use cold strawberries when preparing the filling to prevent it from becoming too runny.
- Mascarpone cheese can be substituted for cream cheese if you prefer a milder, creamier filling flavor.
