Description
Enjoy the tropical flavors of homemade Hawaiian yeast bread with this easy and quick recipe. Featuring a delightful blend of pineapple juice, vanilla, and buttery richness, these soft and fluffy rolls come together in just about an hour, perfect for a sweet breakfast treat or an irresistible snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup warm milk (105-115°F)
- 1/4 cup pineapple juice
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon melted butter for brushing
Dry Ingredients
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar, plus 1 teaspoon
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 4–4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
Instructions
- Activate the Yeast: In a large bowl, whisk together warm milk and 1 teaspoon of sugar. Sprinkle the active dry yeast over the milk mixture and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: Add the melted butter, pineapple juice, beaten egg, vanilla extract, and salt to the yeast mixture. Whisk everything together until well combined.
- Add Flour Gradually: Begin adding the all-purpose flour, one cup at a time, mixing with a wooden spoon after each addition until a shaggy dough forms that starts to pull away from the sides of the bowl.
- Knead the Dough: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead it for 8-10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic, which develops the gluten needed for structure.
- First Rise: Place the kneaded dough in a lightly oiled bowl, turning once to coat it with oil. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough rise in a warm place for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
- Punch Down and Divide: After the dough has risen, gently punch it down to release excess air. Turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and divide the dough into 12 equal pieces.
- Shape Rolls: Shape each piece into a round ball and place the rolls into a greased 9×13 inch baking pan, leaving some space between each to allow for expansion during the second rise.
- Second Rise: Cover the pan with plastic wrap and let the rolls rise again in a warm spot for 30-45 minutes until puffy.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) in preparation for baking the rolls.
- Bake Rolls: Bake the rolls for 18-22 minutes until the tops turn golden brown and the bread sounds hollow when tapped.
- Brush with Butter: Remove the rolls from the oven and immediately brush the tops with 1 tablespoon of melted butter to add flavor and achieve a soft crust.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the rolls to cool slightly before serving to enjoy the soft, sweet, and tender bread at its best.
Notes
- Warm milk temperature should be between 105-115°F for optimal yeast activation.
- If pineapple juice is unavailable, you can substitute with an equal amount of orange juice or additional milk, though flavor will vary.
- Ensure the dough rises in a draft-free, warm environment for best results.
- You can freeze the baked rolls after cooling for up to 3 months. Reheat before serving.
- For a glossy finish, brush the rolls with an egg wash before baking instead of butter after.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Hawaiian
Keywords: Hawaiian bread, sweet rolls, yeast bread, pineapple juice bread, soft rolls, homemade bread
