Indulge in the luscious flavors of Honduras with Semita de Piña, a traditional pastry that encapsulates the essence of Central American sweetness .

Crafted with care, this delicacy features layers of soft, flaky dough embracing a sumptuous filling of tangy pineapple, creating a symphony of tropical tastes that dance on your palate. Perfect for breakfast or as a delightful snack, Semita de Piña embodies the warmth and vibrancy of Honduras' culinary heritage, inviting you to savor every blissful bite.

Ingredients:

For the Dough:

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup warm milk
• 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast

For the Filling:

• 2 cups finely chopped pineapple (fresh or canned)
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

For the Glaze:

• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1-2 tablespoons milk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

Instructions:

1- In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm milk with a pinch of sugar. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy.

2- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Add the softened butter and eggs. Pour in the yeast mixture and mix until a dough forms.

3- Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5-7 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1-2 hours, or until doubled in size.

4- While the dough is rising, prepare the filling. In a saucepan, combine the chopped pineapple, sugar, cinnamon, cornstarch, and lemon juice. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the mixture thickens, about 10-15 minutes. Remove from heat and let it cool.

5- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

6- Once the dough has doubled in size, punch it down and divide it into two equal portions. Roll out each portion into a rectangle about 1/4 inch thick.

7- Spread half of the pineapple filling evenly over one of the dough rectangles, leaving a small border around the edges. Carefully roll up the dough into a log, starting from one of the long sides. Pinch the seams to seal.

8- Repeat the same process with the remaining dough and filling.

9- Place the two filled dough logs onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between them. Cover them loosely with a kitchen towel and let them rise for another 30-45 minutes.

10- Once the dough has risen again, bake the Semitas in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown.

11- While the Semitas are baking, prepare the glaze by mixing powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract in a small bowl until smooth.

12- Once the Semitas are done baking, remove them from the oven and let them cool slightly. Drizzle the glaze over the warm Semitas.

13- Allow the Semitas to cool completely before slicing and serving. Enjoy your homemade Honduras Semita de Piña!

Nutritional Values :

All-Purpose Flour (4 cups):

• Calories: 480 kcal
• Protein: 12 g
• Carbohydrates: 96 g
• Fat: 1 g
• Fiber: 4 g

benefits : Provides carbohydrates for energy and contains some protein and fiber.

Granulated Sugar (1/2 cup for dough + 1/2 cup for filling):

• Calories: 384 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 192 g

benefits : Adds sweetness and provides quick energy, but should be consumed in moderation.

Salt (1/2 teaspoon):

• Negligible caloric value

benefits : Enhances flavor and helps regulate fluid balance in the body.

Unsalted Butter (1/2 cup):

• Calories: 813 kcal
• Fat: 92 g
• Carbohydrates: 0 g
• Protein: 1 g

benefits : Adds richness and flavor to baked goods, and provides essential fatty acids and fat-soluble vitamins.

Eggs (2 large):

• Calories: 140 kcal
• Protein: 12 g
• Fat: 10 g
• Carbohydrates: 1 g

benefits : Excellent source of protein, essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals, including vitamin B12 and selenium.

Warm Milk (1/2 cup for dough):

• Calories: 75 kcal
• Protein: 4 g
• Fat: 4 g
• Carbohydrates: 6 g

benefits : Adds moisture and richness to the dough, and provides calcium, protein, and vitamins such as vitamin D.

Active Dry Yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons):

• Calories: 10 kcal
• Protein: 2 g
• Carbohydrates: 3 g

benefits : Leavening agent that helps the dough rise, and a source of B vitamins, particularly B6 and B12.

Pineapple (2 cups):

• Calories: 200 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 50 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Sugar: 42 g

benefits : Adds sweetness and tanginess to the filling, and is a good source of vitamin C, manganese, and dietary fiber.

Ground Cinnamon (1/4 teaspoon):

• Negligible caloric value

benefits : Enhances flavor and provides antioxidants with potential health benefits.

Cornstarch (1 tablespoon):

• Calories: 30 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 7 g

benefits : Acts as a thickening agent for the filling and is a common ingredient in baking.

Lemon Juice (1 tablespoon):

• Calories: 4 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 1 g

benefits : Adds acidity and brightness to the pineapple filling, and is a good source of vitamin C and antioxidants.

Powdered Sugar (1/2 cup for glaze):

• Calories: 384 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 96 g

benefits : Used for making the glaze and provides sweetness.

Milk (1-2 tablespoons for glaze):

• Calories: 10-20 kcal
• Protein: 1-2 g
• Fat: 0-1 g
• Carbohydrates: 1-2 g

benefits : Provides moisture and richness to the glaze, and is a good source of calcium, protein, and other vitamins and minerals.

Vanilla Extract (optional, 1/2 teaspoon for glaze):

• Negligible caloric value

benefits : Adds flavor to the glaze and contains antioxidants with potential health benefits.

Please note that these values are approximate and may vary based on factors such as brand, specific ingredients used, and serving sizes.