Herbed Hawaiian Sweet Bread

Makes 8 rolls

Herbed Hawaiian Sweet Bread

While looking for bread similar to one I tasted in Bangkok on an ice cream sandwich, I developed the recipe below. Using a combination of pineapple and mango juices results in slightly less sweet bread than the usual Hawaiian bread. As with many recipes, it was created for one use and versatile enough for so many others. Using the Flavor Tiers method, the simple addition of herbs or spices based on the final dish creates a different roll each time. Suggestions for pairing herbs and spices with rolls follow the recipe. These rolls make excellent buns for hamburgers and pulled pork as well as salmon patties. As for those ice cream sandwiches, they provide an incredible cocoon for melting ice cream!

1 ½ c all purpose flour, divided
½ T rapid rise yeast
1 T water
2 T pineapple juice
2 T mango juice
2 T unsalted butter, softened
1 T brown sugar
1 T sugar
1 large egg yolk
½ t vanilla
1 T rice flour
½ t salt
1 T herb or 1 t spice or combination, based on use for bread (see suggestions below recipe)
1 T butter, melted

Flavor Tier 1

Place 2 T flour and yeast in bowl of standing mixer. Combine using the paddle attachment. Add water and mix thoroughly. Let mix sit for 15 minutes.

Flavor Tier 2

Add pineapple juice, mango juice, butter, sugars, egg and vanilla. Mix to combine.

Flavor Tier 3

In a separate bowl, combine remaining flour, rice flour, salt and herb or spice. Change mixer attachment to paddle and add flour mixture to yeast mixture. Combine for 7-8 minutes at medium speed. If mixture is still sticky, add 1 T of all purpose flour.

Place dough in greased bowl and turn to grease top. Cover with a towel and let rise until double in size, about 1 ½ - 2 hours.

Push dough down and shape into 8 rolls. Place in a greased 9x9 inch pan. Cover with a towel and let rise until almost double, about 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 350° while rolls are rising. Brush top of rolls with melted butter. Place in oven and bake for 20 – 25 minutes. Cool in pan for 10 minutes. Remove from pan and cool completely.

Suggestions for herb and spice additions:

• With hamburgers or pulled pork – chives, shallots, garlic
• With salmon patties – dill, fennel, ginger, cayenne, chives
• With chicken breasts – cayenne, chives, lime zest, garlic
• With ice cream – cinnamon, lime zest, lemon zest, orange zest
• As breakfast rolls – cinnamon, lemon zest, ginger, pumpkin spice