Introduction

Discover the sweet, tender delight of Hawaiian yeast bread that comes together in just about an hour. This soft bread, infused with pineapple juice and vanilla, makes perfect rolls that are deliciously buttery and slightly sweet—ideal for any meal or gathering.

Amazing Sweet Hawaiian Yeast Bread in 1 Hour Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients

1 cup warm milk (105-115°F)
1/4 cup granulated sugar, plus 1 teaspoon
2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
1/4 cup pineapple juice
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon salt
4-4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon melted butter for brushing

Instructions

Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk together warm milk and 1 teaspoon sugar. Sprinkle the yeast over the top and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
Step 2: Add melted butter, pineapple juice, egg, vanilla extract, and salt to the yeast mixture. Whisk to combine evenly.
Step 3: Gradually stir in flour, about 1 cup at a time, mixing with a wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms.
Step 4: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.
Step 5: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, turning once to coat all sides. Cover with plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm spot for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
Step 6: Gently punch down the dough and turn it onto a floured surface. Divide it into 12 equal pieces.
Step 7: Shape each piece into a round roll and arrange them in a greased 9×13 inch baking pan, leaving a little space between rolls.
Step 8: Cover the pan with plastic wrap and let the rolls rise again in a warm place for 30-45 minutes until puffy.
Step 9: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Step 10: Bake the rolls for 18-22 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown.
Step 11: Remove from the oven and immediately brush the tops with 1 tablespoon of melted butter.
Step 12: Let the rolls cool slightly before serving.

Tips & Variations

Use fresh pineapple juice for the best flavor, but canned juice works well too.
For a richer taste, replace half of the milk with coconut milk.
If you want a shiny crust, brush the rolls with egg wash before baking.
Add a teaspoon of finely grated orange zest for a citrus twist.

Storage

Store leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. To keep them longer, freeze the cooled rolls in a sealed freezer bag for up to 3 months. Reheat by warming in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 10 minutes or until soft and warm.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this bread without pineapple juice?

Yes, but the pineapple juice adds a subtle sweetness and tenderness to the bread. You can substitute it with an equal amount of milk or orange juice for a slightly different flavor.

How can I tell if the yeast is still good to use?

Yeast is active and good to use if it foams and bubbles after sitting in warm liquid with a bit of sugar for 5-10 minutes. If it doesn’t foam, your yeast may be expired or inactive and should be replaced.

Amazing Sweet Hawaiian Yeast Bread in 1 Hour Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 87 reviews

This Amazing Sweet Hawaiian Yeast Bread recipe produces soft, fluffy, and slightly sweet rolls infused with tropical pineapple juice and vanilla. Ready in just about an hour and a half, these homemade yeast rolls are perfect for breakfast, sandwiches, or alongside your favorite meal.

Author: Zane
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Yield: 12 rolls 1x
Category: Bread
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American Hawaiian

Ingredients

Scale

Wet Ingredients

1 cup warm milk (105-115°F)
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
1/4 cup pineapple juice
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon melted butter for brushing

Dry Ingredients

1/4 cup granulated sugar, plus 1 teaspoon for yeast activation
2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
1 teaspoon salt
4–4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

Instructions

Activate the yeast: In a large bowl, whisk together warm milk and 1 teaspoon sugar. Sprinkle yeast over the top and let sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy, signaling that the yeast is active.
Combine wet ingredients: Add the melted butter, pineapple juice, beaten egg, vanilla extract, and salt to the yeast mixture. Whisk thoroughly to combine all the wet ingredients.
Add flour: Gradually add the all-purpose flour, 1 cup at a time, mixing with a wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms. This slow incorporation helps achieve the right dough consistency.
Knead the dough: Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic, which develops the gluten needed for a soft texture.
First rise: Place the kneaded dough into a lightly oiled bowl, turning once to coat all sides. Cover with plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
Punch down and divide: Gently punch down the risen dough and turn it out onto a floured surface. Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces for individual rolls.
Shape rolls: Shape each piece into a round roll and place them in a greased 9×13 inch baking pan, leaving slight gaps between each for expansion.
Second rise: Cover the pan with plastic wrap and let the rolls rise again in a warm spot for 30-45 minutes until visibly puffy.
Preheat oven: Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it’s hot and ready for baking.
Bake: Bake the rolls for 18-22 minutes or until the tops are golden brown, indicating they are fully cooked and nicely browned.
Butter topping: Remove the rolls from the oven and immediately brush the tops with the remaining tablespoon of melted butter for a shiny, flavorful crust.
Cool and serve: Allow the rolls to cool slightly before serving so they are easier to handle and the texture settles perfectly.

Notes

Ensure the milk is warmed to between 105-115°F for optimal yeast activation without killing the yeast.
Use fresh active dry yeast for best rise results.
If you prefer sweeter rolls, you can increase the sugar slightly or add a bit of honey.
These rolls freeze well; cool completely before freezing and reheat gently before serving.
Brushing with butter after baking keeps the crust soft and gives a rich flavor.

Keywords: Hawaiian sweet bread, yeast rolls, pineapple bread, soft rolls, homemade bread, sweet yeast bread