These soft, light and fluffy Hawaiian sweet rolls are so easy to make. They don’t require much work because a stand mixer does all the kneading for you. The beauty of these rolls is their fragrant, sweet and tangy flavor which comes from a mix of pineapple juice and buttermilk.
Prep Time 3 hourshours30 minutesminutes
Cook Time 20 minutesminutes
Additional Time 3 hourshours
Total Time 6 hourshours50 minutesminutes
Servings 15
Ingredients
1cup(240ml)pineapple juice
½cup(120ml)buttermilk
6tablespoons(89g)unsalted butter, melted
5 ½cups(715g)all-purpose flour
⅓cup(113g)honey
1tablespooninstant yeast
2teaspoonssalt
1large egg, lightly beaten
1tablespoonvanilla extract
4tablespoonshoney butter
Instructions
Combine the pineapple juice, buttermilk, butter, and honey in a large liquid measuring cup. Microwave in 30 second intervals until the temperature reaches 110°F. The mixture may become curdled, this is normal.
Using a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, mix the flour, yeast, and salt on low speed until combined.
With the mixer on low speed, gradually pour in the pineapple mixture followed by the egg and vanilla.
Mix on low speed dough begins to come together, about 2 minutes. Increase the speed to medium-low and mix until the dough is no longer sticking to the sides of the bowl. It may still stick to the bottom.
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and shape it into a ball. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and set in a warm place to rise until doubled in size, about 1 and 1/2 hours.
Punch the dough down to deflate it and transfer it to a lightly floured work surface. Divide the dough into 15 equal size portions. Shape each portion into a smooth ball and arrange them in a lightly oiled 9x13-inch baking pan.
Cover the pan with plastic and set in a draft-free area to rise until doubled in size, about 1 and ½ hours.
Adjust the oven rack to the lower-middle position and heat the oven to 375°F.
Brush the top of the rolls with melted honey butter. Bake the rolls for 20 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown, rotating halfway through the baking time. The internal temperature of the rolls should be 190°F.
Brush the rolls with more melted honey butter and cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Transfer the rolls to a wire rack and cool for another 20 minutes. Rolls are best when eaten the day they are made.
Notes
Yeast: Use either instant or rapid rise yeast. Active dry yeast will not be as efficient with this recipe.
Honey butter: You can make it by mixing butter and honey. Start with 1/4 to 1/2 cup of room temperature unsalted butter and mix in 2 tablespoons of honey at a time until you achieve the desired taste. Store leftover honey butter in the refrigerator and use it on toast, muffins, or rolls.
Make ahead tip
Make the recipe through step 6. Cover the rolls with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. Set the rolls out at room temperature for 1 to 1 1/2 hours until the rolls have doubled in size. Bake per the recipe instructions.
Or you can freeze the rolls 10 minutes after shaping. When ready to use, thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Set the rolls out at room temperature for 1 to 1 1/2 hours until the rolls have doubled in size. Bake per the recipe instructions.
Fully baked rolls can also be frozen in an airtight container. Thaw overnight at room temperature then reheat in a 300°F oven for 10 minutes.