Hawaiian Buns Recipes

HAWAIIAN BUNS

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, bring the pineapple juice to a simmer over medium-high heat, and cook it until it has reduced to 3/4 cup, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a liquid measuring cup and let cool until just warm, about 105 to 110 degrees. Stir in the yeast and let the mixture stand until the yeast has bloomed, about 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in the bowl of a stand mixer with the dough hook attached, combine the sugar, flour and salt. With the mixer on low, add the yeast mixture and the eggs, and knead until the dry ingredients have been incorporated (you may have to help it along with a spatula at first) and dough is smooth and elastic, about 5 to 10 minutes. Add butter in small pieces and continue to knead the dough until smooth, increasing speed to medium, another 5 to 10 minutes. The dough will be shiny, elastic and slightly sticky. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and gather the dough into a neat ball (no need to add extra flour). Cover the bowl with plastic and set aside to rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 to 2 hours.
• Butter a 9-inch-by-13-inch baking pan. Gently tip dough out onto a work surface. You shouldn't need flour at this point. Divide dough into 16 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a tight ball and place in the prepared pan. Repeat with the remaining dough. Cover the tray lightly with plastic wrap and set aside to double again, about 45 minutes to 1 hour. The dough should look puffy and spring back slowly when pressed gently.
• Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Bake until puffed and golden, about 20 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.

HAWAIIAN DINNER ROLLS

Steps:

• In bread machine pan, place the first 10 ingredients in order suggested by manufacturer. Select dough setting (check dough after 5 minutes of mixing; add 1-2 tablespoons of water or flour if needed). Just before final kneading (your machine may audibly signal this), add coconut., When cycle is complete, turn dough onto a lightly floured surface. Cover and let rest for 10 minutes. Divide into 15 portions; roll each into a ball. Place in a greased 13x9-in. baking pan. , Cover and let rise in a warm place for 45 minutes or until doubled. Bake at 375° for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.

HOMEMADE HAWAIIAN BUNS

Steps:

• Beat eggs in a bowl. Add pineapple juice, sugar, 1/2 cup butter, and vanilla extract.
• Measure 3 cups of flour into a large bowl and stir in egg mixture with a wooden spoon until well combined. Sprinkle in yeast packages one at a time, mixing well. Add 3 more cups flour and mix well, using your hands if needed. Make sure all flour is well incorporated; the dough should be tacky to the touch, but not overly sticky. If dough is too wet, mix in a little extra flour, 1 tablespoon at a time.
• Cover dough with a clean towel and set in a warm place to rise for 1 hour.
• Remove dough from the bowl and knead in remaining 1/2 cup flour, approximately 10 to 15 times, making sure flour is well incorporated. Form dough into rolls and place on buttered pans. Cover and place in a warm area to rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Bake in the preheated oven until tops are golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes. Brush tops with remaining 1/4 cup melted butter.

HAWAIIAN STEAMED BEEF BUNS

Steps:

• For the dough: Whisk together the warm water and honey in a small bowl. Sprinkle in the yeast. Let the mixture rest until it bubbles, 4 to 6 minutes.
• Meanwhile, whisk together the flour and salt in a large bowl. Add the yeast mixture and sesame oil and stir with a wooden spoon until just combined. If the dough seems a little dry, sprinkle in a little bit of water. Turn the dough out onto a clean work surface. If the dough is a little sticky, lightly dust the surface with flour. Knead the dough until it is smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes.
• Lightly grease a large mixing bowl with sesame oil. Form the dough into a ball and place it in the bowl, gently turning to coat. Cover with a damp clean dishtowel and let rest in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
• For the filling: Heat the canola oil over medium-high heat in a medium skillet. Add the beef and a sprinkle of salt and freshly ground black pepper. Cook, breaking up the meat with a spoon, until lightly browned and no longer pink, about 2 minutes. Transfer the beef to a plate.
• Lower the heat to medium. Add the onion to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned, about 8 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 2 minutes. Return the beef to the skillet. Stir in the Chinese five spice powder and cook until very fragrant, about 20 seconds. Add the sherry and cook until the skillet is almost dry. Add the soy sauce, hoisin sauce and 1/4 cup water. Stir to combine and cook until the sauce has reduced and thickened, about 3 minutes. Cool completely.
• To make the steamed buns: Cut the wax paper into eight 3-inch squares. Lightly brush a baking sheet with canola oil. Transfer the dough to a clean work surface. Punch it down and divide it into 8 equal balls. Roll out each to a 5-inch disc, working from the center to the outer edge and turning it often to keep the middle twice as thick as the outer edge. Cup the disc of dough in one hand and mound 2 tablespoons of filling in the center. Pinch the edges of the dough together with your other hand to seal the bun, Flip the bun over so that it is seam-side down and reshape it into a smooth round dome. Place it on a square of wax paper to keep it from sticking. Repeat with the remaining dough and filling. Arrange the buns (and wax paper) on the prepared baking sheet 2 inches apart and cover with a damp towel. Set the buns in a warm place to rise until plumped and puffy, 45 to 60 minutes.
• Fill a large pot with at least 3 inches of water and bring it to a strong simmer over medium-high heat. Put 4 buns in the steamer insert, leaving 1 inch between them to expand. Drape a clean dishcloth across the top of the pot to prevent condensation from dripping from the lid onto the buns. (This step isn't necessary if you are using a bamboo steamer.) Cover the steamer and cook for 20 minutes. Repeat with the remaining buns. Serve hot.