If you’re ready for a sweet escape right in your own kitchen, you absolutely have to try these Hawaiian Cinnamon Rolls: The Ultimate Tropical Treat Recipe. Imagine the softest, fluffiest cinnamon rolls imbued with sweet pineapple and a tangy, sunny glaze—every bite is like a vacation you can sink your teeth into! Tropical pineapple and warm cinnamon swirl through pillowy dough, then everything is finished with a pineapple-vanilla glaze that practically sings with brightness. If you’re looking for a showstopper breakfast or dessert, this treat promises to deliver pure sunshine and smiles.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simple, familiar ingredients, each with a job to do. From creating rich, pillowy dough to adding tropical flair in every bite, these elements work together to make the Hawaiian Cinnamon Rolls: The Ultimate Tropical Treat Recipe absolutely unforgettable.
- Pineapple juice (warm, about 110°F): This brings a bright, tropical flavor right into the dough—don’t skip warming it, as it helps activate the yeast for a great rise.
- Active dry yeast: The key to lifting your rolls to fluffy perfection; be sure your yeast is fresh and active.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough and also feeds the yeast to get things bubbling.
- Melted butter: Adds richness and softness to both the dough and the gooey filling.
- Sour cream: Brings a subtle tang and keeps the dough extra tender—full fat works best here!
- Large egg: Binds everything together and helps create that gorgeous golden color.
- Salt: Just a little, to balance the sweetness and make all the flavors pop.
- All-purpose flour: Gives the rolls their soft yet sturdy structure. Spoon and level for accurate measuring!
- Brown sugar (for filling): The classic cinnamon roll sweetness with a caramelly note, pairing beautifully with pineapple.
- Ground cinnamon: The fragrant, spicy heart of every great cinnamon roll.
- Melted butter (for filling): Helps the cinnamon-sugar stick and creates luscious swirls.
- Crushed pineapple (well drained): The star ingredient that adds bursts of island flavor and juiciness—make sure to drain it well so your rolls stay plush, not soggy.
- Powdered sugar (for glaze): Dissolves into a smooth, creamy icing that soaks every spiral.
- Pineapple juice (for glaze): Doubles down on tropical tang in the final glorious drizzle.
- Vanilla extract: Balances the glaze and ties all those tropical notes together.
How to Make Hawaiian Cinnamon Rolls: The Ultimate Tropical Treat Recipe
Step 1: Activate the Yeast with Pineapple Juice
Start by combining your warm pineapple juice, yeast, and just a pinch of sugar in a large mixing bowl. Give it a gentle stir and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes. You’re looking for a foamy, bubbly layer on top—clear proof that your yeast is alive and ready to make these rolls ultra-fluffy. This step gives your dough a flavorful head start, infusing the base with pure tropical goodness.
Step 2: Mix the Dough
Once the yeast is looking frothy, stir in the rest of the sugar, melted butter, sour cream, egg, and salt. Start adding the flour gradually, mixing as you go, until you have a soft and just slightly sticky dough. This part is where everything starts to come together—don’t be afraid to get in there with your hands if needed! The dough should feel pillowy but not overly wet.
Step 3: Knead and Let Rise
Turn your dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 5 to 7 minutes (or use a dough hook if you’ve got a stand mixer). You’ll notice it becoming smoother and more elastic as you go. Place your ball of dough in a greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise in a warm place for about an hour, or until doubled in size. This is the perfect time to take in that fantastic pineapple aroma wafting from your bowl!
Step 4: Roll Out and Fill
Punch down the risen dough and roll it out gently into a 14-by-10 inch rectangle. Brush the entire surface with melted butter, then sprinkle the brown sugar and cinnamon evenly. Now for the best part—scatter the well-drained crushed pineapple over the top. Each roll will get a juicy, fruity core that’s absolute heaven once baked.
Step 5: Roll Up and Slice
Working from the long side, carefully roll up the dough into a tight log, keeping all that sweet filling tucked inside. Use a sharp knife or dental floss to slice the log into 12 equal rolls. Place them cut-side up in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, letting their swirled centers shine through.
Step 6: Final Rise and Bake
Cover your baking dish and let the rolls rise again for about 30 minutes—they’ll puff up beautifully and fill in any gaps. Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 350°F. Bake the rolls for 20 to 25 minutes, or until golden brown and irresistibly fragrant. The kitchen might just smell better than a Hawaiian bakery at this point!
Step 7: Make and Drizzle the Glaze
While the rolls are still warm, whisk together powdered sugar, pineapple juice, and vanilla extract in a small bowl until perfectly smooth. Drizzle this luscious glaze all over the tops, letting it seep into every spiral and crevice. Now the Hawaiian Cinnamon Rolls: The Ultimate Tropical Treat Recipe is truly complete and seriously ready to enjoy.
How to Serve Hawaiian Cinnamon Rolls: The Ultimate Tropical Treat Recipe
Garnishes
For a fabulous finishing touch, sprinkle your warm rolls with toasted coconut flakes, a dusting of extra cinnamon, or even a few candied pineapple pieces. If you really want to go for that wow factor, a sprig of fresh mint or a little zest of lime can play up the tropical theme. Each garnish makes the Hawaiian Cinnamon Rolls: The Ultimate Tropical Treat Recipe even more irresistible and eye-catching.
Side Dishes
Serve these warm rolls alongside a fruit salad brimming with mango, papaya, and strawberries for maximum island vibes. If you’re turning this into a breakfast spread, they pair beautifully with scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, or a tangy yogurt parfait. No matter what, a strong cup of Kona coffee or even a pineapple mimosa makes the meal shine even brighter.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, arrange the rolls on a large wooden board with fresh tropical flowers and cubes of fresh pineapple for a lush brunch centerpiece. Or, serve individual rolls in cupcake liners for a party-ready, grab-and-go treat. You could even transform leftovers into a ultra-indulgent French toast bake for the ultimate weekend breakfast surprise.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, any uneaten rolls can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. If your kitchen is especially warm, you may want to keep them in the fridge to maintain that soft, rich texture. The flavor just keeps getting better by the day, making them wonderful for make-ahead mornings or late-night snacks!
Freezing
These rolls freeze beautifully after baking. Make sure they’re completely cooled, then wrap each roll tightly in plastic wrap and foil, or store together in a freezer bag. They’ll keep for up to 2 months—just thaw overnight in the refrigerator and you’re all set for a tropical treat on demand.
Reheating
To bring leftover rolls back to life, simply warm them in the microwave for 15–20 seconds or in a low oven (about 300°F) for 10 minutes. Cover with foil if reheating in the oven to keep them from drying out. If you freeze and reheat, a fresh drizzle of pineapple glaze takes them straight back to bakery-new!
FAQs
Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?
Absolutely! Instant yeast works just fine in this recipe. Just skip the proofing step and add it directly with the dry ingredients—the rise times will be very similar, so you can follow the rest of the recipe as written.
How do I make these rolls even more tropical?
If you really want to amp up the island vibes, sprinkle some sweetened shredded coconut in the filling, or top the finished rolls with toasted coconut flakes. Chopped macadamia nuts would also be a fantastic, buttery addition!
Can I prepare these rolls ahead of time?
Yes! After assembling and slicing the rolls, you can place them in the baking dish, cover tightly, and refrigerate overnight. Bring to room temperature while the oven preheats, then bake as directed for fresh rolls without an early wake-up call.
My dough didn’t rise—what went wrong?
First, check the temperature of your pineapple juice; if it’s too hot or too cold, the yeast may not activate properly. Also, make sure your yeast is fresh, not expired. Finally, letting the dough rise somewhere warm (like a turned-off oven with the light on) can help it along if your kitchen is chilly.
What can I use if I don’t have pineapple juice?
If you’re out of pineapple juice, orange juice can be a nice substitute for the dough and glaze. It won’t be quite as tropical, but you’ll still get bright, citrusy notes that complement the cinnamon perfectly.
Final Thoughts
There’s just something magical about the way these Hawaiian Cinnamon Rolls: The Ultimate Tropical Treat Recipe brings a burst of island sunshine to even the cloudiest morning. Give them a try and watch your kitchen transform into a tropical paradise with every sweet, gooey bite—trust me, you’ll be making these again and again!
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Hawaiian Cinnamon Rolls: The Ultimate Tropical Treat Recipe
- Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 12 rolls 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the tropical flavors of Hawaii with these Hawaiian Cinnamon Rolls. Filled with pineapple and cinnamon, these sweet rolls are a delightful treat for breakfast or dessert.
Ingredients
For the dough:
- 3/4 cup pineapple juice (warm, about 110°F)
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup melted butter
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
For the filling:
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup melted butter
- 1/2 cup crushed pineapple (well drained)
For the glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons pineapple juice
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine warm pineapple juice, yeast, and a pinch of the sugar. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
- Stir in the remaining sugar, melted butter, sour cream, egg, and salt. Gradually add the flour, mixing until a soft dough forms.
- Knead for about 5–7 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled.
- Punch down the dough and roll it out on a lightly floured surface into a 14×10-inch rectangle.
- Spread melted butter over the dough, then sprinkle evenly with brown sugar and cinnamon. Scatter the drained crushed pineapple on top.
- Roll the dough up tightly and slice into 12 rolls.
- Place the rolls in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, cover, and let rise for 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 350°F and bake for 20–25 minutes, or until golden brown.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, pineapple juice, and vanilla until smooth. Drizzle over the warm rolls and serve.
Notes
- For extra tropical flavor, add shredded coconut to the filling or top with toasted coconut.
- These rolls can be made ahead and refrigerated overnight before baking.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes (plus 90 minutes rise time)
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American, Hawaiian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
