Dessert

Hawaiian Rolls with Stand Mixer Recipe

ByEthan Lark December 11, 2025December 11, 2025

Introduction

These homemade Hawaiian rolls are soft, slightly sweet, and perfect for any meal or gathering. Made with pineapple juice and a stand mixer, they offer a delightful tropical twist on a classic dinner roll. You’ll love their tender crumb and buttery finish.

A close-up view of nine soft dinner rolls baked together in a clear glass rectangular dish, each roll with a smooth, shiny, golden-brown top that gently domes upwards, showing a slightly glossy texture. The rolls are touching each other, forming a grid of three rows and three columns, with a light beige color on the sides where they meet. The glass dish rests on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 tablespoon Instant Dry Yeast
2 tablespoon Water
1/2 cup Pineapple Juice
4 tablespoon Unsalted Butter
1/3 cup Brown Sugar
3 Eggs
1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
2 1/2 cup All-Purpose Flour
2 tablespoon Corn Starch
1 1/2 teaspoon Salt
Butter, to taste (for brushing)

Instructions

Step 1: In your mixing bowl, combine 4 tablespoons of all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon instant dry yeast, and 2 tablespoons water. Mix well, cover, and let it rest for 15 minutes to activate the yeast.
Step 2: After resting, add 1/2 cup pineapple juice, 3 eggs, 1/3 cup brown sugar, 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract into the bowl. Mix until everything is fully combined.
Step 3: In a separate bowl, whisk together 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 2 tablespoons corn starch. Turn off your mixer, add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, then resume mixing until the batter is smooth.
Step 4: Attach the dough hook to your stand mixer. Add 1 cup of all-purpose flour and mix until combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
Step 5: Add the remaining 1/2 cup flour and continue mixing until the dough begins to come together. Stop the mixer and scrape down the bowl, then knead the dough with the dough hook for an additional 5 minutes.
Step 6: Remove the dough from the bowl. It should be sticky but not overly so. Lightly flour a surface and knead the dough a few times by hand. Press it gently — it should spring back. Place the dough in a bowl, cover it, and let it rise until doubled, about 1 1/2 hours.
Step 7: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with baking spray.
Step 8: Divide the dough into 16 equal balls, about 60 grams each. Lightly flour your surface, shape each ball by pinching the edges underneath and rolling to create a smooth top with a small crease at the bottom. Place the dough balls in the baking dish and let them rest for 45 minutes.
Step 9: Beat the reserved egg whites from earlier and brush the tops of the rolls with it. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, until golden brown.
Step 10: Remove the rolls from the oven and brush the tops with butter to taste while they are still warm.

Tips & Variations

For an extra tender crumb, use bread flour instead of all-purpose flour.
You can substitute pineapple juice with orange juice for a different fruity flavor.
Brush the rolls with honey butter after baking for a sweeter finish.
If you don’t have cornstarch, you can omit it, but it helps keep the rolls soft.

Storage

Store the rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze the rolls in a sealed bag for up to 2 months. Reheat in a warm oven or microwave covered with a damp paper towel to restore softness.

How to Serve

This image shows a close-up of a glass baking dish filled with nine golden-brown dinner rolls arranged in a 3 by 3 grid. Each roll has a smooth, shiny top with a slightly darker brown center, showing a well-baked texture. The rolls are touching each other, making a soft, puffy surface, and the edges of the dish show some slight browning. The baking dish rests on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this dough without a stand mixer?

Yes, you can mix and knead the dough by hand. It will take more effort but is entirely possible. Knead on a floured surface for about 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.

Do I have to use pineapple juice?

Pineapple juice adds a subtle sweetness and moisture, but you can substitute it with other fruit juices like orange or apple juice if preferred.

Ethan Lark