Soft & Sweet Hawaiian Rolls with Freshly Milled Flour
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There’s nothing quite like the soft, pillowy texture and subtle sweetness of Hawaiian rolls—but have you ever tried making them with fresh milled flour? These Fresh Milled Hawaiian Rolls bring all the flavor you love, without the processed ingredients found in store-bought versions. The combination of pineapple juice, honey, and fresh milled hard white wheat creates a beautifully tender roll that’s slightly sweet, rich in nutrients, and absolutely irresistible.
Whether you’re serving them for family dinners, sliders, or holiday gatherings, these rolls are sure to be a favorite. Plus, using freshly milled flour means you get all the natural goodness of whole grains, making them both delicious and nourishing. Ready to bake the best Hawaiian rolls you’ve ever had? Let’s get started!
Why Freshly Milled Flour Matters
Freshly milled flour is a game-changer for anyone who cares about nutrition, flavor, and baking quality. Unlike store-bought flour, which is stripped of its bran and germ (where most of the nutrients are), fresh milled flour retains all the fiber, vitamins, and healthy oils that make grains a true superfood.
It’s richer in flavor, more filling, and easier to digest—plus, it bakes into the softest, most nourishing breads and treats. The best part? Milling at home is easier than ever with high-quality grain mills like the Nutrimill Classic, a powerful mill perfect for large batches, or the Nutrimill Harvest, a beautiful countertop-friendly mill with a durable stone grinder for a more traditional milling experience.
Once you experience the difference, you’ll never go back to store-bought flour!
Freshly Milled Hawaiian Rolls
1 cup pineapple juice
4 tablespoons softened butter
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
⅓ cup honey
3 1/2 cups fresh milled hard white wheat flour, milled finely
1 teaspoon salt
2 ½ teaspoons instant yeast
Combine pineapple juice, butter, eggs, honey, and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer.
Whisk together – the butter will be lumpy but that’s okay.
Add in flour and knead until well combined.
Let sit for 10-15 minutes to allow the flour to absorb the liquids and the bran to soften for a soft and fluffy result!
Add in yeast and knead for 7-12 minutes until the dough is smooth and passes the window pane test.
Cover dough and allow to rise until doubled in size.
Transfer dough to a lightly oiled work surface and divide into 12 equal parts.
Shape into smooth balls and and place in a greased 9 x 13 dish.
Cover and allow to rise until risen and puffy, about an hour.
Once they are almost done rising, preheat the oven to 350* F.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and bake for 20-22 minutes.
You can brush the tops with melted butter if desired, or leave as-is!
Storing Freshly Milled Hawaiian Rolls
The best way to store fresh hawaiian rolls is to keep them from drying out. My favorite way to store them for the short term is inside a cake stand with a lid. If you need to store them for more than a few days; a ziplock bag in the fridge is the best way.
For longer term storage you can store them in a ziplock or other sealed container in the freezer for several months. Thaw them on the counter when you are ready to eat them.
How To Make-Ahead or Freeze the Dough
To make these hawaiian rolls ahead of time and freeze, there are a few options.
Freeze the Dough:
Once you have risen the dough for the first time and then shaped the rolls, place them on a parchment lined baking sheet. Don’t allow the to rise for the 2nd time. Place the baking sheet directly into the freezer and allow to freeze until frozen solid. Then place the frozen rolls into a ziplock bag.
To thaw and bake, place the frozen rolls on a baking sheet lined with parchment and allow to sit on the counter to thaw and rise overnight. Bake as usual in the morning.
Freeze the Baked Rolls:
Once the rolls have cooled completely, you can flash freeze them on a baking sheet until frozen through and then put them in a ziplock bag for long-term storage. Pull the rolls out 4 hours before you wish to use them so they can thaw completely.
Soft & Sweet Hawaiian Rolls with Freshly Milled Flour
Ingredients
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- 4 tablespoons softened butter
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ⅓ cup honey
- 3.5 cups fresh milled hard white wheat
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 ½ teaspoons instant yeast
Instructions
- Combine pineapple juice, butter, eggs, honey, and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer.
- Whisk together – the butter will be lumpy but that’s okay.
- Add in flour and knead until well combined.
- Let sit for 10-15 minutes.
- Add in yeast and knead for 7-12 minutes until the dough is smooth and passes the window pane test.
- Cover dough and allow to rise until doubled in size.
- Transfer dough to a lightly oiled work surface and divide into 12 equal parts.
- Shape into smooth balls and and place in a greased 9 x 13 dish.
- Cover and allow to rise until risen and puffy, about an hour.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and bake for 20-22 minutes.
