Hawaiian Sweet Rolls
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These irresistible Hawaiian sweet rolls are fresh, tangy, soft and fluffy. They’re incredibly delicious. Even better than store-bought brand. Prep this easy yeast recipe in 20 minutes. After the second rise, then bake.
These unique dinner rolls were first produced in Hilo, Hawaii in the 1950’s. A hint of pineapple and a touch of honey is what makes them unique. Their sweet tangy flavor and yeasty smell makes is what makes them irresistible.
Once you take a bite of these Hawaiian sweet rolls, you’ll be completely entranced by their charming flavor.
🍞 Recipe Yield
This Hawaiian rolls recipe is very versatile. I can yields 15 slider buns, 18-21 small dinner rolls, or 6 large hamburger buns. Whatever size and shape you make your rolls, your family and friends will love them!
🛒 Ingredients
- Pineapple Juice: For a true signature Hawaiian flavor.
- Whole Milk: For richness and moisture.
- Salted Butter: For a delicious buttery taste.
- Honey: Contributes a sweet, floral and earthy taste.
- Light Brown Sugar: For sweetness with a hint of caramel.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Adds a touch of rustic tang.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances the sweetness while providing a comforting fragrant aroma.
- All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and an elastic framework that supports the other ingredients.
- Instant Yeast: For the perfect rise that gives the Hawaiian rolls a fluffy, tender texture.
- Fine Kosher Salt: Balances the flavor of the other ingredients.
📖 Recipe STEPS
- STEP 1: Melt the butter in a large microwave-safe measuring cup (like Pyrex). Add room-temperature pineapple juice, honey and milk. Stir briefly. Microwave the mixture for 1 minute, or until the temperature reaches 100°F-120°F, warm enough to activate the yeast.
- STEP 2: In the bowl of a stand mixer, add flour, yeast, and salt. Mix to combine. Pour the warm liquid mixture on top of the dry ingredients. Fold them together with a rubber spatula. Add in the eggs, brown sugar, vinegar, and vanilla. Don’t mix yet, just set the bowl aside.
- STEP 3: Grease the dough hook (for the stand mixer) with butter. Attach the mixing bowl and hook to the stand mixer. Start with the mixer on low, then gradually increase the speed to medium-low. Let the dough hook knead for 6-7 minutes, or until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl and the texture is soft and smooth.
- STEP 4: Remove the dough from the mixing bowl. Shape it into a round ball, then place it in a clean mixing bowl that’s been generously greased with butter. Cover the bowl with a clean, dry kitchen cloth. Allow the dough to rise in a draft-free place for 2 hours.
- STEP 5: Transfer the dough to a pastry board. Gently stretch and pat the dough into a rectangle. With a bench scraper or sharp kitchen knife, slice the dough into small squares (for about 18 to 21 rolls), or into larger pieces for rolling into hamburger buns.
- STEP 6: Shape each square of dough into a ball. Arrange the balls inside a buttered 9×13-inch baker. The rolls will be touching, and that’s fine. Cover the baker with a clean kitchen cloth. Allow the Hawaiian sweet rolls to rise again. This time for 30-45 minutes.
- STEP 7: Lightly brush the top of the bread with melted butter. Bake at 375°F for 20 to 23 minutes, rotating the baking dish halfway through the bake time. When the rolls are done, their tops should be golden brown, and the internal temperature should be 190°F. Pull apart one of the rolls in the middle and check for doneness.
- STEP 8: When the hot rolls come out of the oven, lightly brush the tops with melted butter. Just don’t overdo it, or the rolls will get soggy.
👩🏻🍳 RECIPE FAQ
These are the most commonly-asked questions for making the BEST Hawaiian sweet rolls, and the most helpful answers for recipe success.
It’s not recommended. For best results, use instant or rapid-rise yeast.
In your turned-off 76°F oven. Preheat the oven to 200°F for 2 minutes then turn it off. This is just enough time to get the oven lightly warm but not hot. When the bread is ready to rise, place the bowl or pan inside the oven and let it rise in this warm, draft-free environment.
Yes, it can. After arranging the rolls in the baker, cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, remove the dish from the fridge and allow the rolls to come to room temperature for 1 to 1/2 hours, or until doubled in size. Bake per recipe directions.
Homemade Hawaiian rolls can last for 3 to 55 days on your countertop, or up to a week in the fridge.
Yes. You can freeze Hawaiian rolls. Once the rolls have completely cooled, transfer them to an airtight container lined with parchment paper, or a zip-top freezer bag with the air pressed out. Place them toward the back of the freezer, and freeze for up to 2 months.
🧑🏼🍳 MORE DINNER ROLLs & biscuits
- Buttery Parker House Rolls
- Easter Bunny Bread Rolls
- Best Jiffy Cornbread
- Hot Cross Buns
- Baking Powder Biscuits
- Sweet Buttery Cornbread
- Southern Whipping Cream Biscuits
RATE THIS RECIPE ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Flavor testers gave these Hawaiian sweet rolls 2 thumbs up! They adored the sweet tangy flavor and tender texture of this dinner favorite. They said these rolls taste even better than the popular brand sold at the market.
If you agree this recipe’s a keeper, give them a 5-star rating in the comments. Then be a recipe hero. Share it with friends. 📌 Pin it to Pinterest.
Hawaiian Sweet Rolls
- Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 15–18 rolls 1x
Description
These homemade Hawaiian sweet rolls are tangy, fluffy, tender and sweet. They’re also very easy to make. Prep the simple recipe in 20 minutes. After the second rise, then bake. You can form the dough into small slider rolls, large dinner rolls, or hamburger buns.
Ingredients
- 6 cups all-purpose flour (plus up to 1/2 cup more, if needed)
- 1 tablespoon instant yeast
- 2 teaspoons fine kosher salt
- 8 tablespoons (1 stick) salted butter, melted
- 3/4 cup pineapple juice, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1/3 cup honey
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar, lightly packed
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 4 tablespoons melted butter, for brushing
Instructions
RECIPE PREP: Grease the dough hook (for your stand mixer) with butter and put it aside.
- Melt the butter in a large microwave-safe measuring cup (like Pyrex). Add room-temperature pineapple juice, honey and milk. Stir briefly. Microwave the mixture for 1 minute, or until the temperature reaches 100°F-120°F, warm enough to activate the yeast.
- In the bowl of the stand mixer, add flour, yeast, and salt. Manually mix to combine. Pour the warm liquid mixture on top of the dry ingredients. Fold them together with a rubber spatula. Add in eggs, sugar, vinegar, and vanilla. Attach both the mixing bowl and pre-greased dough hook to the stand mixer.
- Start with the mixer on low speed, then gradually increase it to medium-low. Let the dough hook knead for 6-7 minutes, or until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl and the texture is soft and smooth.
- Remove the dough from the mixing bowl. Shape it into a round ball, then place it in a clean mixing bowl that’s been generously greased with butter. Cover the bowl with a clean, dry kitchen cloth. Allow the dough to rise in a draft-free place for 2 hours.
- Transfer the dough to a pastry board. Gently stretch and pat the dough into a rectangle. With a bench scraper or sharp kitchen knife, slice the dough into small squares (about 18 to 21 squares for dinner rolls). Shape each square of dough into a ball. Arrange balls inside a buttered 9×13-inch baker. The rolls will be touching, and that’s fine. Cover the baker with a clean kitchen cloth. Allow the Hawaiian sweet rolls to rise again. This time for 30-45 minutes.
- Lightly brush the top of the bread with melted butter. Bake at 375°F for 20 to 23 minutes, rotating the baking dish halfway through the bake time. When the rolls are done, their tops should be golden brown, and the internal temperature should be 190°F. Pull apart one of the rolls in the middle and check for doneness.
- When the hot rolls come out of the oven, lightly brush the tops with melted butter. Just don’t overdo it, or the rolls will get soggy.
Notes
How to reheat Hawaiian rolls: Preheat your oven to 300°F. Place the rolls on a tray. Warm them in the oven for 2 to 3 minutes or until heated through.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American, Hawaiian
Keywords: Hawaiian Rolls, Hawaiian roll recipe, Hawaiian sweet roll recipe
Hawaiian Sweet Rolls 👉🏻 Join the Conversation!
Do you enjoy making and serving homemade dinner rolls and biscuits? What do think about this Hawaiian sweet roll recipe? Join the conversation in the comments below. I’d love to hear from you!
Homemade bread is our favorite. We usually bake bread at the weekend and I hope this recipe happens in our kitchen this weekend!
★★★★★
Hi Shadi! Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. Fingers crossed you’ll be making a batch of these yummy rolls this weekend. Hawaiian rolls are also great to use as slider buns for weekend BBQs.
These are amazing! I love Hawaiian sweet rolls but they can be pricey! Thanks for this recipe :)
★★★★★
Hi Taryn! You are going to love these soft, tender Hawaiian sweet rolls! I suggest making a double batch and freezing half.
Oh my gosh! My mom and I love these and now I have a recipe to make them at home – score!!!!!! Thank you so much :)
★★★★★
Woo-hoo!!! Cassie, I’m so excited that you found my Hawaiian rolls recipe! In addition to dinner rolls, you can use them as slider buns for backyard summer BBQs. :-)
I love these rolls! Never tried making them myself, but may have to as these look delicious!
Hi Diana! Thanks so much for stopping by for a visit here on C+B. I hope you’ll have a chance to make a batch of these golden Hawaiian rolls. They’re super scrumptious! :-)
These are my guilty pleasure! Like I need some RIGHT now!!!
Ruthie, I wish I could share one of these yummy Hawaiian sweet rolls with you right through my computer screen!
YUM! I have never made these at home before. They look so goooood!
Xo Mindy
★★★★★
Mindy, once you make a batch of these delicious Hawaiian rolls, this could become one of your favorite bread rolls recipes!