Hawaiian rolls, especially the Hawaiian rolls by King’s Hawaiian, are arguable the best tiny, sweet rolls you can eat. Their pillowy softness and delectable subtly sweet bite pair perfectly with fresh butter or even when used as the buns for your favorite pulled pork slider recipe.
You simply can’t go wrong with Hawaiian rolls, but did you also know that you could easily make your very own at home? If you love King’s Hawaiian rolls, then you need to check out this Hawaiian Rolls recipe that is the perfect copycat. This may just become your favorite Hawaiian sweet rolls recipe, so be sure to save it!
The Hawaiian Rolls Recipe – What Is?
Hawaiian rolls are small, sweet, and buttery rolls that are well known for their iconic softness. These rolls were formulated in Hawaii, as per the name, and combines soft and sweet bread that is the product of using pineapple juice within the batter.
These rolls are the perfect size for sliders, a small sandwich, or even just to use in your breadbasket when the family has gathered around for dinner. They are great as a standalone roll and pair deliciously with fresh butter. You could even toast these rolls for an added chewiness that will leave you craving these little rolls all the time.
How to Make Copycat Hawaiian Rolls
Without further ado, here is how you make these delicious little rolls! They are so easy to make that you may find yourself making them all the time as this will surely become a staple recipe within your kitchen.
Nothing is better than fresh bread right out of the oven, and these little delightful rolls are no exception to that. To keep them warm before serving, place them in a breadbasket and cover with a thick hand towel to help keep in the heat. Make sure to have some room temperature butter ready to go so you can easily spread it on.
- Servings: 16
- Prep time: 20 min
- Elapsed time: 1.5 hours
- Cook time: 25 mins
- Total time: 2 hr 15 min
Equipment:
- Stand Mixer with Dough Attachment
- Large bowl
- Glass Measuring Cup
Ingredients you’ll need for Hawaiian Rolls Recipe:
- ¼ cup warm water
- 2 tsp active dry yeast
- 1 tsp granulated sugar
- 3 ½ cup All-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup light brown sugar
- 1 ½ tsp salt
- 1 ½ tsp vanilla
- 1 egg
- ¾ cup pineapple juice
Step by step guide to make the Hawaiian Rolls:
Just follow these simple steps and you will be on your way to eating some of the most delicious Hawaiian rolls you’ve ever tasted! Make sure to buy extra ingredients in case you have to make more than one batch to fit your party, dinner, or gathering.
Step 1: Mixing
Mix the yeast, water, and granulated sugar together until blended nicely. Allow it to sit for about 10 minutes.
After 10 minutes is up, combine all of the other ingredients and the yeast mix in a large mixing bowl,
and using the dough hook attachment, knead for 8-10 minutes or until smooth with an electric
mixer. You can always do it by hand if you’ve got the strength and patience.
Step 2: Let it Rise
Remove the dough from the mixer and place it into a lightly oiled bowl (olive oil or olive oil cooking spray will work to keep the dough from sticking to the bowl).
Cover the bowl with plastic or a damp towel and place in a warm place to rise for 1 hour.
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).
Step 3: Shaping your Rolls
After about one hour, turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and pat down gently. The four will ensure the dough doesn’t stick and makes it easier to handle.
Cut the dough into 16 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a ball by pinching the dough together rather than trying to form it like a snowball. This helps to prevent the loss of air which makes the buns soft and fluffy.
Step 4: Let it rise, again!
Add each of the dough balls to a lightly greased baking dish and cover for 30 mins. This will allow any final rising to be done so your buns are nice a soft.
Step 5: Ready to bake!
After 30 minutes of rising, brush the surface of the dough buns with an egg wash (1 egg + 1 tsp water) and then bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until they begin to golden on the tops.
And you’re done! Pretty simple, huh? As simple as these rolls are, you definitely won’t be able to taste that simplicity as these rolls are decadent, delightfully sweet, and are sure to go quick at your next gathering or party. Make sure you make plenty of these rolls to go around, as they will surely be the crowd-pleaser.
FAQ
What Substitutions Can I make with this Recipe?
To make this recipe a little healthier, or if you have any dietary restrictions, there are a few ingredients within this list that you can swap out. For example, this recipe calls for sugar, but you can always substitute the sugar for something like Stevia or an artificial sweetener that is used for baking. You can also try to swap out the all-purpose flour for something a bit heart-healthy like brown or whole wheat flour. While these rolls pair well with butter, you can always substitute regular dairy butter with vegan or plant-based butter to fit your preference.
What Do Hawaiian Rolls Pair Well with?
These little Hawaiian rolls can pretty much pair with just about anything you can think of. These rolls are especially great when used in slider recipes, such as pulled pork, hamburger, or BBQ chicken sliders. These rolls can also be split in half, topped with deli meats and cheeses, and popped into the oven for a few minutes to create a delicious hot sandwich ideal for game night or parties. These rolls also are delicious when paired with chicken salad or tuna salad – it just depends on which type of sandwich is your favorite. And of course, these rolls are great on their own since they are sweet and addicting.
Can I Freeze These Rolls for Later?
Absolutely! These rolls do great in the freezer and freezing them won’t change their taste or texture. You can freeze and store these rolls in an airtight container for up to three months. After that, you may want to check for freezer burn or throw the rolls out as they will not taste as fresh.
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