A friend of mine's daughter had her birthday yesterday. She requested a luau themed party. Unfortunately, the 85 degree weather did not stick around, and the day was met with a 30 degree drop, along with wind and rain. Regardless, we had a grand time, with fabulous food, good friends, and a nice warm fire to congregate around.
The party was potluck style, and since the meat was all being provided, I was hard pressed to find something to bring that would fit in with a luau style. Then I saw this recipe for Hawaiian sweet rolls. These are my favorite type of roll. I mean, who doesn't love these things? Sweet, light and flaky... what says luau better than these?
Now, I had never attempted any kind of bread that required yeast. Something about working with the yeast, the constant waiting and punching, is daunting to me. However, I had been determined to try, and this seemed like a good reason and time! This recipe does not require kneading or punching, but does require lots of time to let the dough rise.
I had to have my boyfriend do the rolling for me, because the dough is quite sticky, and I have some huge gross-out factor to that kind of stickiness. His little trick of spraying his hands with cooking spray was a good idea, though, and that might help me for next time.
The smell of them baking was divine. Many comments were made about "What smells so good?" as they were baking. They came out delicious. Everyone raved about them, and I was asked to pass the recipe along, so here it is! They are a bit more subtle in the sweet department than the store bought kind, but I think that can be easily adapted to fit your specific tastes.. I forgot to brush the butter on before baking, and believe that if I had remembered to do that, they would have been even more fantastic. Maybe mix a little honey into that butter for an even bigger sweet pop?
Hawaiian Sweet Rolls:
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup warm water
- 1/2 cup pineapple juice
- 1/4 cup melted butter, plus more for brushing
- 1 tablespoonful dry yeast
- Salt (the recipe I found did not specify. I just did a couple of shakes into the bowl)
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1/2 teaspoonful vanilla
- 6 tablespoonsful sugar
- 3 cups flour
Directions:
1. Combine water, juice and butter in a large bowl. Sprinkle in yeast. Add salt, egg, vanilla and sugar. Stir to mix. Add flour one cup at a time, stirring between each addition. Mix with your hands if the dough becomes too stiff. Luckily for me, I was able to completely mix with just a wooden spoon. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 2 hours.
2. If baking later, place covered dough in the refrigerator.
3. Spray baking pan(s) with cooking spray (I used a cake pan). Roll dough into balls and place in pan. Cover and let rise until doubled, about another 2 hours.
4. Preheat oven to 350*F. Brush rolls with melted butter and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden.
