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Looking down at three golden Hawaiian rolls arranged in a triangle, each with a glossy buttered top and a soft, soft crumb visible.

Homemade Hawaiian Rolls

Enriched yeast rolls made with pineapple juice and milk, baked until golden brown and brushed with butter.
Prep Time 35 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Chill Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 55 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 15 servings

Ingredients
  

  • ½ cup canned pineapple juice 116 grams, at room temperature (do not use fresh juice, see notes)
  • ½ cup whole milk 116 grams, warmed (100-110°F (45°C))
  • 5 tablespoons unsalted butter 71 grams, melted and slightly cooled to just warm (~85°F (30°C))
  • 6 tablespoons granulated sugar 75 grams
  • 2 tablespoons light brown sugar 25 grams
  • 2 large eggs at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 ¼ teaspoons instant yeast 1 packet
  • 4 cups + 1 tablespoon bread flour 516 grams to 4 ¼ cups (540 grams), dependent on kitchen climate (see notes)
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour 32 grams
  • 1 ½ teaspoons fine sea salt
  • 1 large egg lightly beaten
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 1 tablespoon salted butter 14 grams, melted

Instructions
 

  • Mix dough ingredients:

    In the bowl of a stand mixer, blend together the pineapple juice, milk, melted butter, both sugars, 2 eggs, vanilla, and yeast. Add the all-purpose flour along with 2 cups (286 grams) of the bread flour; stir with a wooden spoon until a shaggy, rough dough forms. Mix in the salt. Fit the dough hook, then run the mixer on medium-low. Slowly add the remaining bread flour only until the dough coheres; depending on your climate and flour brand, you might not need all of it. Knead on medium-high for 4 to 5 minutes, until the dough is soft and smooth.
  • First rise:

    Lightly oil or moisten your hands, then transfer the dough to a gently greased medium bowl. Cover with plastic wrap. Let it rise until puffy and doubled, around 1 ½ hours.
  • Shape rolls:

    Grease a 9x13-inch metal baking pan with cooking spray. Gently press down the dough to deflate. Using a bench scraper or knife, portion the dough into 15 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a ball and arrange in the prepared pan.
  • Egg wash and second rise:

    In a small bowl, whisk the remaining egg with 2 tablespoons of water. Brush this mixture over all the rolls. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise again until doubled, about 1 hour.
  • Preheat oven:

    Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
  • Bake and butter:

    Bake the rolls for 20 minutes, until golden brown. Brush with melted butter. Serve warm. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Keyword bread recipes sweet, homemade bread recipes, homemade hawaiian rolls, recipes with bread, sweet bread recipes, yeast bread recipes