Homemade Hawaiian Sweet Rolls Recipe

Introduction

These homemade Hawaiian sweet rolls are soft, fluffy, and bursting with a subtle pineapple sweetness. Perfect for sandwiches or as a side for any meal, they bring a tropical twist to your bread basket.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup milk, warmed to about 110 degrees
• 1/2 tsp sugar
• 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
• 1/4 cup butter, melted and cooled slightly
• 1 cup pineapple juice (canned), room temperature
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 2 eggs, lightly whisked, room temperature
• 4 1/2 – 5 cups bread flour (start with 4 1/4 cups)

• Egg Wash:
• 1 egg
• 2 tbsp water

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a mixing bowl, add the warm milk and sprinkle the yeast and sugar on top. Stir gently and let it sit for 5–10 minutes until bubbly.
2. Step 2: Add the melted butter, pineapple juice, brown sugar, salt, vanilla, and eggs to the bowl.
3. Step 3: Use a wooden spoon to mix the ingredients until they are lightly combined.
4. Step 4: Add two cups of flour and mix with the wooden spoon until the flour is incorporated but the mixture is still lumpy.
5. Step 5: Attach the dough hook to your stand mixer and gradually add the remaining flour while mixing to form a soft but slightly sticky dough. Use about 4 1/2 cups of flour total. If the dough is too sticky, turn it onto a floured surface and knead a few times by hand.
6. Step 6: Place the dough in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let it rise for 2 hours or until doubled in size.
7. Step 7: Punch down the dough and divide it into 15 equal-sized balls, smoothing each one as much as possible.
8. Step 8: Arrange the dough balls in a 9×13-inch pan. Brush with egg wash, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise for another hour or until nearly doubled.
9. Step 9: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the rolls for 25 minutes, or until golden brown and hollow sounding when tapped.

Tips & Variations

• For extra shine, brush the rolls with melted butter immediately after baking.
• You can substitute fresh pineapple juice with canned juice, but ensure it is at room temperature before using.
• Try adding a teaspoon of dry ginger or cinnamon for a warm spice note.
• If you don’t have a stand mixer, knead the dough by hand for about 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.

Storage

Store the rolls in an airtight container or plastic bag at room temperature for up to 3 days. To keep longer, freeze the rolls after baking and cooling; thaw at room temperature and warm in the oven before serving. Reheat rolls wrapped in foil at 300°F for 10–15 minutes for a fresh-from-the-oven texture.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular granulated sugar instead of brown sugar?

Yes, you can substitute with granulated sugar, but the rolls may lose some of their rich caramel flavor that brown sugar provides.

What if my dough doesn’t rise properly?

Make sure your milk and pineapple juice are at the correct temperatures and that the yeast is fresh. Rising times can also vary depending on room temperature; if your kitchen is cool, allow extra time for the dough to double.

Homemade Hawaiian Sweet Rolls Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 57 reviews

Delight in these soft, fluffy homemade Hawaiian Sweet Rolls that are infused with pineapple juice and a hint of vanilla for a subtle tropical sweetness. Perfectly golden and tender, these rolls are ideal for any occasion, whether as a dinner side, sandwich base, or just a sweet treat on their own.

• Author: Tim
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 3 hours 45 minutes
• Yield: 15 rolls 1x
• Category: Baking
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Hawaiian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Rolls

• 1/2 cup milk, warmed to about 110 degrees
• 1/2 tsp sugar
• 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
• 1/4 cup butter, melted and cooled slightly
• 1 cup pineapple juice (canned), room temperature
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 eggs, lightly whisked, room temperature
• 4 1/2 – 5 cups bread flour, start with 4 1/4 cups

Egg Wash

• 1 egg
• 2 tbsp water

Instructions

1. Activate the yeast: Warm the milk to about 110 degrees and pour it into a mixing bowl. Sprinkle the active dry yeast and sugar on top. Mix gently and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it becomes bubbly and foamy, signaling that the yeast is active.
2. Combine wet ingredients: Add the melted butter, pineapple juice, brown sugar, kosher salt, vanilla extract, and lightly whisked eggs into the yeast mixture. Use a wooden spoon to mix these ingredients until lightly combined.
3. Add initial flour: Stir in two cups of bread flour using the wooden spoon, mixing until the flour is incorporated but the mixture remains lumpy.
4. Knead the dough: Transfer the mixture to a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook. Gradually add the remaining flour while mixing until a soft but slightly sticky dough forms. The dough should be tacky but not overly sticky. If necessary, transfer to a floured surface and knead a few times by hand.
5. First rise: Place the dough in a bowl, cover it tightly with plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for about 2 hours or until doubled in size.
6. Shape the rolls: Punch down the risen dough and divide it into 15 equal-sized dough balls. Shape each ball to be smooth and place them evenly in a greased 9×13-inch baking pan.
7. Second rise and egg wash: In a small bowl, beat together one egg and two tablespoons of water to create the egg wash. Brush this over the tops of the dough balls. Cover the pan lightly with plastic wrap and let the rolls rise again for about 1 hour or until nearly doubled in size.
8. Bake the rolls: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the rolls for 25 minutes or until they are golden brown and hollow sounding when tapped on the bottom.

Notes

• Ensure milk is not too hot when activating yeast; above 115°F can kill the yeast.
• Room temperature eggs and pineapple juice help dough rise properly.
• The dough should be tacky but not too sticky; add flour gradually.
• Cover dough properly during rising to prevent drying out.
• Rolls freeze well after baking; thaw and warm before serving.

Keywords: Hawaiian sweet rolls, homemade sweet rolls, pineapple rolls, soft rolls, dinner rolls, baking bread