Instructions: Make a sponge by mixing the ingredients and let stand, covered for 4-15 hours.

1. In a large bowl, dissolve sugar, yeast in milk and water. Mix in sponge, egg and flour.

2. Turn onto a large work surface, smear dough on softened butter, knead in more flour (about 1 oz) if necessary if too sticky. knead for a few times until butter is evenly incorporated. Cover with a clean wet towel, let stand on work surface for 20 mins.

3. Knead for further 5-10 mins until dough is smooth and elastic (but not sticky).

4. let 1st rise in a covered bowl over warm water, about 1 1/2 hour. Punch down.

5. let 2nd rise covered over warm water again, until doubled or tripled, about 1-2 hours. Punch down, rest for 5 mins.

6. Shape 2 oz each, put seams down on lightly greased pan. Let rise covered in a warm place until doubled. Put on prepared "pineapple cover" [as follows] and then egg wash.

PINEAPPLE TOPPING use 3/4 - 1 oz per 1 - 1 1/2 oz bun

(can be kept for long time in refrigerator/freezer)

1. beat butter and sugar until creamy and fluffy.

2. add in egg yolk, soda, milk, mix well.

3. sift flour and baking powder, add to butter, and mix with slow speed or by hand until smooth and not sticky. Beware not to form gluten.

4. Chill, wrapped in plastic film, in refrigerator for use [about 1 hour].

5. take out and knead as little as possible, if too dry, put in some oil, if too runny, put in some flour.

6. take 1 oz of topping and roll out but dont roll too big, or too thin, [about 3mm] slightly smaller than the bun top.

7. brush the bun with egg/water and put the topping on rised bun right before baking, score with knife LIGHTLY to make checked pineapple surface effect, brush on egg wash and bake at 180*C [375*F] for 10-15 mins on middle rack.

NOTES : I want to share this GREAT traditional recipe with everyone! if ure bored with plain dinner rolls or sweet buns, u gotta try this "pineapple" buns, actually a variation to your sweet bun recipe!

"Pineapple" buns, a Chinesenized version of western dinner rolls, is a famous specialty in bakeries in Hong Kong. Theyre actually sweet breads with exotic fillings or variations.

Heres a recipe for "pineapple" buns. Its so-called not because its made from pineapple, instead they LOOK LIKE the surface of pineapple!

NOTE: you can use your own sweet breads recipe which makes 12 buns [i have just posted my own recipe as follows just in case]. After 2 rises and punch downs, shape them into round buns of 2 oz each.

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