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Homemade Hawaiian Sweet Rolls Recipe

When you’re at the store and see Hawaiian Rolls on the shelf, just know that you’re capable of making these Copycat Hawaiian Rolls. They are soft and taste just like the real thing. 

Homemade Hawaiian Sweet Rolls Recipe

Imagine bringing homemade rolls to a gathering. You would be so loved!

You can with these Copycat Hawaiian Rolls. Your friends and family will think that they are store-bought because they taste just like the rolls from the store.

Sweet Hawaiian Rolls Recipe

Embrace the Aloha spirit with these Homemade Hawaiian Sweet Rolls! Imagine golden brown, fluffy rolls infused with the tropical goodness of pineapple juice and a hint of brown sugar. These rolls are soft, slightly sweet, and absolutely perfect for the dinner table. This easy recipe will make you forget about grocery store brands like King’s Hawaiian Rolls because homemade is always better!

Homemade Hawaiian Sweet Rolls Recipe

You can make these rolls for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. They make an excellent side dish. You can also make a fantastic sandwich out of these rolls. Like these Amazing Leftover Turkey Sliders!

FAQs For Making Hawaiian Rolls:

  • Can I use active dry yeast instead of instant yeast? Yes, but active dry yeast needs to be proofed with warm water first. Instant yeast can be mixed directly with dry ingredients.
  • What can I use if I don’t have pineapple juice? You can use orange juice or a mix of apple cider vinegar and sugar as a substitute, though pineapple juice is essential for the authentic Hawaiian flavor.
  • How can I make my rolls extra fluffy? Make sure to give the dough enough time to rise, use room temperature ingredients, and avoid adding too much flour. A sticky dough usually results in fluffier rolls.

Tips and Tricks:

  • Use a kitchen scale for precise measurements. Too much flour can make the rolls dense.
  • When forming dough balls, keep your hands and surface lightly floured. This prevents the dough from sticking without adding too much additional flour.
  • Brush the tops of the rolls with melted butter as soon as they come out of the oven for a golden-brown crust and added flavor.

What Ingredients Are Needed For Copycat Hawaiian Rolls?

Homemade Hawaiian Sweet Rolls Recipe

Dry yeast: You can’t go wrong having dry yeast on hand. Make sure you stock up so you can have these rolls anytime you want. 

Pineapple juice: You will need pineapple juice for these rolls. They help bring so much flavor to the rolls. 

All-purpose flour: It would be hard to make these rolls without flour, so make sure you have plenty on hand! 

Light brown sugar: Yes, you use light brown sugar in this recipe. It helps with the flavor! 

Other ingredients that you will need for this recipe include egg, vanilla, salt, and sugar.

Variations:

  • Cinnamon Rolls: Before the second rise, roll out the dough, spread with butter, and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar. Roll up and cut into slices.
  • Cheese Sliders: Use these rolls to make cheese sliders with swiss cheese, ham, and a honey mustard glaze.
  • Salted Honey Glaze: Mix honey, melted butter, and sea salt, and drizzle over the warm Hawaiian rolls for an extra sweet and salty kick.

Where to Serve:

These rolls are an excellent addition to any meal, whether it be a holiday dinner, barbecue, or family gathering. They are also perfect for making mini sandwiches or cheese sliders. Serve them as a side with your favorite stew or use them for an indulgent French toast breakfast.

What tools are needed for making these Hawaiian rolls?

You’ll need to have a stand mixer on hand, a large bowl, and a glass measuring cup. 

Storing Hawaiian Rolls 

Once you make these, you can store them on your counter for a few days. The only trick is making sure you have them in an airtight container.

Homemade Hawaiian Sweet Rolls Recipe

The container will help make sure the rolls stay nice and soft. If you have Saran wrap, this would also work really well! 

The next time you need a roll recipe and don’t know which one to make, give this Copycat Hawaiian Rolls recipe a try. You’ll fall in love with the flavor of the rolls and the simplicity of the recipe. 

Topping Options:

  • Garlic Butter: Mix melted butter with minced garlic and parsley. Brush on top of the rolls before or after baking.
  • Sesame Seeds: Sprinkle sesame seeds on the egg wash before baking for added texture.

Why This Recipe Works:

The combination of pineapple juice, brown sugar, and butter provides these rolls with their signature flavor and softness. The slightly sticky dough, enriched with eggs and butter, captures air during the rise time, resulting in fluffy rolls. They are sweet without being overly so, making them a versatile addition to any meal. They’re definitely the rolls that will have everyone asking for seconds!

If you are looking for a full list of fun and delicious side dish recipes be sure to check out this list –> The Best Side Dishes That Will Make Your Meal Amazing

Easy Copycat Hawaiian Rolls
Yield: 16 rolls

Easy Copycat Hawaiian Rolls

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Additional Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes

These delicious copycat Hawaiian Rolls are fluffy and great to make for dinner parties!

Ingredients

  • 1⁄4 cup warm water
  • 2 tsp active dry yeast
  • 1 tsp granulated sugar
  • 3 1⁄2 cup All purpose flour
  • 1⁄3 cup light brown sugar
  • 1 1⁄2 tsp salt
  • 1 1⁄2 tsp vanilla
  • 1 egg
  • 3⁄4 cup pineapple juice

Instructions

  1. Mix yeast, water and granulated sugar. Allow to sit for 10 minutes
  2. After 10 mins, In a large bowl combine all of the other ingredients and the yeast mix, in a mixing bowl and using the dough hook attachment, knead for 8-10 mins or until smooth with an electric mixer.
  3. Remove the dough from the mixer and place into a lightly oiled bowl (olive oil or olive oil cooking spray will work to keep the dough from sticking to the bowl)
  4. Cover bowl and place in a warm place to rise for 1 hour.
  5. After one hour, turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and pat down gently.
  6. Cut dough into 16 pieces.
  7. Roll each piece into a ball by pinching the dough together
  8. Add to a lightly greased baking dish and cover for 30 mins.
  9. After 30 mins, brush with egg wash (1 egg + 1 tsp water) and bake at 350 for 20-25 mins. 

Notes

A trick to placing the dough in a warm place, is to turn on the oven and set the covered bowl very close to the oven or even on top (as long as you aren’t cooking something else). 

Place the balls of dough close to one another before the last 30 min proof session so that they begin to create the iconic shape of Hawaiian Rolls. 

Nutrition Information

Yield

16

Serving Size

1

Amount Per Serving Calories 128Total Fat 1gSaturated Fat 0gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 0gCholesterol 12mgSodium 225mgCarbohydrates 27gFiber 1gSugar 5gProtein 3g

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