The Best Homemade Hawaiian Sweet Dinner Roll Recipe
My husband and I can never get enough of the store-bought version of Hawaiian rolls—they’re sweet, soft, and downright delicious. But one day, I noticed a pack sitting in the pantry for weeks, still as fresh as the day we bought them. It made me wonder—what kind of preservatives and additives were keeping them from going stale? That’s when I decided to make my own homemade version, using simple, wholesome ingredients I can trust.
This homemade Hawaiian roll recipe will have your family coming back for more while you enjoy the satisfaction of serving up real, wholesome food. It’s fun to make, easy to put together, and delivers that signature sweetness and fluffiness we all love.
Best of all, these homemade Hawaiian sweet rolls are sure to impress!
What gives Hawaiian rolls their signature sweetness?
The secret to the irresistible sweetness of Hawaiian rolls is pineapple juice—it adds a subtle fruity flavor that makes them unique. Along with that, the recipe includes a higher amount of sugar, creating that signature soft, sweet taste.
Can I make homemade Hawaiian rolls without a stand mixer?
Yes! You can absolutely make these rolls without a stand mixer. The dough is a sticky dough, so be sure to flour your work surface well. However, be careful not to add too much flour, as this can make the rolls dense instead of soft and fluffy.
What can I do with these Hawaiian dinner rolls?
These homemade Hawaiian rolls are perfect as a side dish for any meal. They also make excellent cheese sliders, sandwich rolls, and even a delicious base for French toast. Their soft texture and slight sweetness complement both savory and sweet dishes beautifully.
Ingredients
Pineapple Juice
This is the key ingredient that gives homemade Hawaiian rolls their signature flavor and sweetness. Its natural acidity also helps create a soft, tender texture.
Brown Sugar
The molasses in brown sugar adds depth of flavor while also keeping the rolls soft and moist. It enhances both taste and texture.
Instant Yeast
Yeast helps ferment the dough, creating a light, airy, and fluffy roll with the perfect rise.
Butter
Melted butter adds a rich, buttery flavor and contributes to a tender, soft crumb. It also helps with moisture and enhances the golden crust when brushed on top.
Vanilla Extract
Vanilla extract brings a warm, sweet aroma and enhances the overall bakery-style flavor of the rolls.
Bread Flour
Bread flour has a higher protein content than all-purpose flour, which helps create a lighter, fluffier texture in the rolls.
Whole Milk
Milk adds creaminess, moisture, and richness, keeping the rolls soft and fresh while also contributing to a beautifully golden crust.
Eggs
Eggs add richness, tenderness, and a beautiful golden color to these rolls, contributing to their soft texture and bakery-style finish.
Tips and tricks
Correct measurements – Use a kitchen scale to help measure the ingredients.
Smooth Ball – In order to create smooth balls, roll dough balls between thumb and middle finger against a counter on a lightly floured surface.
Sof Rolls – If you want rolls to soften more after baking, place a towel over them after baking. This will steam the tops of the rolls to be more like store-bought!
Don’t Rush the Rise – Let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free area. A slow, steady rise leads to softer, more flavorful rolls. If your kitchen is cool, place the dough in a slightly warmed (but off) oven.
Knead Until Smooth & Elastic – If kneading by hand, expect it to take 10-12 minutes. The dough should be soft and slightly tacky but not overly sticky.
Brush with butter after baking for soft tops!
Variations on the sweet roll
Try substituting other fruit juices like coconut milk for a tropical flavor.
Replace some of the brown sugar for honey to get a honey butter sweet roll.
Replace half of the all purpose flour for wheat flour to get a healthier, nutter version.
Mix in diced jalapenos and cheddar cheese for a unique twist on sweet hawaiian rolls!
How to store hawaiian rolls
Rolls will store at room temperature in an airtight container for 2-3 days. You can freeze these sweet rolls for up to 3 months.
To reheat place rolls in a 300 degree oven for 10-15 minutes or until warmed through.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1
Add warmed whole milk to the bowl of a stand mixer. Sprinkle instant yeast and brown sugar on top. Mix. Allow yeast mixture to sit for 5 minutes or until bubbly.
Step 2
To the bowl, add the rest of the wet ingredients: butter, pineapple juice, salt, vanilla, and eggs.
Step 3
Using a paddle attachment on a low speed, mix the ingredients together until combined.
Step 4
Change to the dough hook attachment. Mix in half of the flour.
Step 5
After the flour is combined, begin to add the rest of the flour slowly until a soft, slightly sticky dough has formed. The dough should not stick to your fingers.
Step 6
Place in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap or damp kitchen towel for the first rise. Rest for 2 hours, the dough will double in size.
Step 7
Punch down the dough and form it into 15 equal pieces, about 90 grams each.
Step 8
Spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking oil, set balls of dough into the prepared pan.
Step 9
Cover again with plastic wrap or damp kitchen towel and set out for second rise. Rise for 1 hour. The dough balls may not double in size.
Step 10
Brush with egg wash before placing into an oven at 350 degrees and baking for 40-45 minutes or until rolls have a temperature of 200 degrees and golden brown and delicious.
These rolls will quickly become a family favorite! They are easy to make, irresistibly sweet, and incredibly delicious. Whether you’re serving them as a side for dinner, using them for sliders, or enjoying them warm with a pat of butter, they’re sure to impress. Once you taste the homemade version, you’ll never want to go back to store-bought again. Give this recipe a try, and enjoy the soft, fluffy goodness of fresh-baked Hawaiian rolls!
Homemade Hawaiian Sweet Dinner Roll
These homemade Hawaiian rolls are soft, fluffy, and perfectly sweet with a hint of pineapple flavor. Made with simple, wholesome ingredients, they’re perfect as a side dish, for sliders, or even on their own with a little butter. Easy to make and absolutely delicious, this recipe will quickly become a family favorite!
Ingredients
- 115 grams warmed milk
- 2 packages (4.5 teaspoons) instant yeast
- 115 grams melted and cooled butter
- 240 grams pineapple juice (canned)
- 240 grams brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 720 grams bread flour
Instructions
- Add warmed whole milk to the bowl of a stand mixer. Sprinkle instant yeast and brown sugar on top. Mix. Allow yeast mixture to sit for 5 minutes or until bubbly.
- To the bowl, add the rest of the wet ingredients: butter, pineapple juice, salt, vanilla, and eggs.
- Mix the ingredients together with a paddle attachment on a low speed until combined.
- Change to the dough hook attachment. Mix in half of the flour.
- After the flour is combined, add the rest slowly until a soft, slightly sticky dough has formed. The dough should not stick to your fingers.
- Place in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap or a damp kitchen towel for the first rise. Rest for 2 hours; the dough will double in size.
- Punch down dough and form it into 15 equal pieces of about 90 grams each.
- Spray a 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking oil, and set balls of dough into the prepared pan.
- Cover again with plastic wrap or a damp kitchen towel and set out for a second rise. Rise for 1 hour. The dough balls may not double in size.
- Brush with egg wash before placing it into an oven at 350 degrees and baking for 40-45 minutes or until the rolls have a temperature of 200 degrees and are golden brown and delicious.
Notes
Correct measurements – Use a kitchen scale to help measure out ingredients.
Smooth Ball – In order to create smooth balls, roll dough balls between thumb and middle finger against a counter on a lightly floured surface.
Sof Rolls – If you want rolls to soften more after baking, place a towel over them after baking. This will steam the tops of the rolls to be more like store-bought!
Don’t Rush the Rise – Let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free area. A slow, steady rise leads to softer, more flavorful rolls. If your kitchen is cool, place the dough in a slightly warmed (but off) oven.
Knead Until Smooth & Elastic – If kneading by hand, expect it to take 10-12 minutes. The dough should be soft and slightly tacky but not overly sticky.
Brush with butter after baking for soft tops!
