Hawaiian Sweet Bread–Style Dinner Rolls

Steps

1. 1

   In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the flour, instant yeast, sugar, dry milk powder, and salt. Whisk or stir thoroughly so the yeast and salt are evenly distributed.

2. 2

   Add the warm milk, pasteurized pineapple juice, egg, and melted butter to the dry ingredients. Mix with a dough hook on low speed, or stir with a sturdy spoon, until a shaggy dough forms and no dry flour remains.

3. 3

   Knead the dough on medium-low speed for about 8 minutes, or by hand on a lightly floured surface for 10 to 12 minutes. Continue until the dough is smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky but not wet; it should stretch without immediately tearing.

   Start 8-minute timer
4. 4

   Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a lightly greased bowl. Cover tightly and let it rise in a warm, draft-free place until doubled in volume, about 1½ to 2 hours.

   Start 2-hour timer
5. 5

   Grease a 9-by-13-inch baking pan with butter. Turn the risen dough onto a lightly floured surface and divide it into 15 equal pieces. For evenly sized rolls, weigh the dough and divide the total weight by 15.

6. 6

   Working with one piece at a time, pull the edges underneath to create a smooth top, then roll it gently beneath your cupped palm until round. Arrange the rolls in the prepared pan with a little space between them.

7. 7

   Cover the pan and let the shaped rolls rise again in a warm place until puffy and nearly doubled, about 45 to 60 minutes. They should spring back slowly when pressed lightly with a fingertip.

   Start 1-hour timer
8. 8

   About 20 minutes before baking, heat the oven to 350°F (180 °C) / 180°C (350 °F) with a rack in the middle position.

   Start 20-minute timer
9. 9

   Bake the rolls for 20 to 25 minutes, rotating the pan once if needed, until the tops are deeply golden and the centers reach about 190°F (88 °C) / 88°C (190 °F). The rolls should sound hollow when lightly tapped.

   Start 25-minute timer
10. 10

    Remove the pan from the oven and brush the hot rolls with the remaining melted butter. Cool in the pan for several minutes, then transfer to a rack and cool further before serving.