Description
Enjoy these delightful Strawberry and Cream Cheese Pineapple Buns, featuring a soft, fluffy bun filled with a creamy strawberry-cream cheese mixture and topped with a sweet, crumbly pineapple-style crust. Perfect for a special breakfast or afternoon treat, these buns combine a delicate balance of fruity sweetness and rich creaminess, baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Bun Dough
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon instant yeast
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup warm milk
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup water (if needed for dough consistency)
Cream Cheese Filling
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup fresh strawberries, diced
Pineapple Topping
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Yellow food coloring (optional, to create the “pineapple” look)
Instructions
- Prepare the Bun Dough: In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, instant yeast, and salt to create the dry mix.
- Add Wet Ingredients and Mix: Add the warm milk, softened butter, egg, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Mix until the dough begins to come together.
- Knead the Dough: Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Add water gradually if the dough feels too dry to achieve the right consistency.
- First Rise: Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until it doubles in size.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Filling: In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
- Add Strawberries to Filling: Gently fold diced strawberries into the cream cheese mixture ensuring even distribution. Set aside.
- Make the Pineapple Topping: In a separate bowl, cream together softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add Dry Ingredients to Topping: Mix in flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and vanilla extract until just combined.
- Add Yellow Coloring (Optional): Add a few drops of yellow food coloring to the topping mixture to achieve the characteristic pineapple bun color. Set the topping aside.
- Divide Dough and Shape Buns: After the dough has risen, punch it down and divide into 12 equal portions. Roll each portion into a smooth ball and flatten into discs.
- Fill the Buns: Place a spoonful of cream cheese and strawberry filling onto the center of each dough disc, then fold the edges over the filling and pinch tightly to seal.
- Place Buns on Baking Tray: Arrange the sealed buns seam-side down on a parchment-lined baking tray.
- Apply Pineapple Topping: Roll each bun gently in the pineapple topping mixture, ensuring a thick, crumbly layer covers the top.
- Second Rise: Let the buns rise again for 30-45 minutes until puffed up and slightly larger.
- Preheat Oven: Set oven temperature to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking.
- Bake the Buns: Bake for 18-20 minutes until the buns are golden brown and the topping has cracked slightly on top.
- Cool Slightly: Remove from oven and let the buns cool just enough to handle.
- Serve: Serve warm to enjoy their soft texture combined with the rich cream cheese and strawberry filling beneath the sweet pineapple topping.
Notes
- Make sure the cream cheese and butter are softened to room temperature for easier mixing.
- If dough feels sticky while kneading, add flour a tablespoon at a time until manageable, but avoid making it too dry.
- Yellow food coloring is optional but gives the topping an authentic pineapple bun appearance.
- Use fresh, ripe strawberries for the best flavor in the filling.
- For best results, consume the buns the same day or store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- You can warm the buns slightly before serving to enhance the creamy filling texture.
