Heavenly Gooey Hawaiian Rolls Sticky Buns Recipe for Breakfast

Warm, golden Hawaiian rolls elevate the classic sticky bun to a delightful new level of deliciousness.

Soft, pillowy dough meets sweet caramel glaze in this irresistible treat.

The combination of tropical-inspired bread and traditional sticky bun magic creates a mouthwatering fusion.

Each bite promises a perfect balance of tender bread and rich, gooey caramel.

Buttery layers melt together with a hint of warmth and sweetness.

These rolls bring a sunshine-inspired twist to your breakfast or dessert table.

You’ll find yourself reaching for seconds before the first batch even cools down.

Toppings and Add-Ins for Sticky Bun Lovers

• Sweet Sticky Success: Let the rolls sit upside down for just 1-2 minutes after inverting to ensure maximum caramel coverage without making rolls too soggy.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the entire dish the night before, refrigerate, and bake fresh in the morning for a stress-free breakfast treat.
• Nutty Alternatives: Swap pecans for walnuts, almonds, or omit nuts entirely for nut-free guests. Toasting nuts beforehand intensifies their rich, warm flavor.
• Dairy-Free Twist: Replace heavy cream with coconut milk and use dairy-free butter to create a delicious vegan-friendly version that maintains the original's gooey texture.
• Portion Control Hack: Use a serrated knife to pre-slice individual servings while rolls are still in the baking dish, making it easier to serve and ensuring each piece gets that perfect sticky sauce drizzle.

Serving Hawaiian Rolls Sticky Buns for Breakfast

• Sunday Brunch Bliss: Invite friends over for a relaxed morning gathering, serving these warm sticky buns alongside fresh fruit and mimosas for a delightful weekend treat.
• Dessert Companion: Pair these sweet rolls with vanilla bean ice cream or whipped cream, creating a decadent after-dinner indulgence that will wow your guests.
• Breakfast Celebration: Serve alongside scrambled eggs and bacon for a hearty breakfast spread that combines sweet and savory flavors, perfect for family weekend mornings.
• Potluck Superstar: Bring these sticky buns to your next potluck or gathering, knowing they'll be the first dish to disappear and earn you instant culinary praise.

How to Store Sticky Buns and Reheat Out

• Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover sticky buns in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Cover with plastic wrap to prevent moisture loss and maintain soft texture.
• Freezing Hack: Wrap individual rolls tightly in aluminum foil, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for maximum 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator and reheat at 300F for 10 minutes to restore original warmth and gooey consistency.
• Room Temperature Tips: Keep buns at ambient temperature for no longer than 2 hours. After that, refrigerate to prevent bacterial growth and maintain food safety standards.
• Reheating Magic: Warm sticky buns in oven at 300F for 8-10 minutes. Avoid microwave, which can make rolls soggy and diminish their delicious caramelized texture. Drizzle extra melted butter before reheating to refresh moisture and enhance flavor profile.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 320 kcal

Servings: 12

Ingredients That Make Hawaiian Rolls Sticky Bunsal

• Butter: Provides rich, creamy foundation for caramel-like sticky sauce.
• Brown Sugar: Delivers deep, molasses-like sweetness and helps create glossy texture.
• Heavy Cream: Smooths sauce and creates luxurious, velvety consistency.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, aromatic depth to the sticky sauce.

• Hawaiian Rolls: Soft, slightly sweet base that absorbs sauce beautifully; pre-connected rolls make assembly easier.
• Melted Butter: Helps create golden, crispy exterior and adds moisture to rolls.

• Cinnamon: Brings warm, spicy note that complements sweet base.
• Brown Sugar (for sprinkling): Creates additional caramelized layer with subtle molasses undertones.
• Pecans (optional): Provides crunchy texture and nutty complexity to the dish.

Kitchen Tools for Sticky Hawaiian Buns Done Right

• Baking Dish (9×13 inch): Essential for creating and serving the sticky buns, ensures even cooking and presentation.
• Small Saucepan: Perfect for melting butter and creating the sticky caramel sauce smoothly.
• Small Bowl: Ideal for mixing cinnamon and brown sugar, keeps ingredients organized.
• Aluminum Foil: Helps cover and protect the rolls during initial baking, prevents burning.
• Serving Platter: Allows easy and elegant inversion of baked sticky buns.
• Pastry Brush: Great for evenly spreading melted butter on roll surfaces.
• Knife: Useful for slicing Hawaiian rolls horizontally while keeping them connected.

How to Bake Hawaiian Rolls Sticky Buns with Ease

• Craft the Sticky Base

Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Blend in brown sugar and heavy cream, stirring until the mixture transforms into a smooth, bubbling delight. Splash in vanilla extract and pour this golden goodness evenly across a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle pecans for extra crunch if desired.

• Prepare the Rolls

Slice Hawaiian rolls horizontally while keeping them connected. Gently place the bottom half into the prepared sticky sauce. Whisk together brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Brush roll bottoms with melted butter and dust generously with the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Crown the rolls with their top halves.

• Bake to Perfection

Cover the dish with aluminum foil and slide into a preheated 350°F oven. Bake for 20 minutes, then remove the foil and continue baking 10 more minutes until the tops turn a beautiful golden brown and the sauce bubbles enticingly.

• Serve with Flair

Allow the buns to rest for 5 minutes. Carefully flip the baking dish onto a serving platter, letting the luscious sticky sauce cascade over the rolls. Serve warm and watch everyone’s eyes light up.

Gooey Hawaiian Rolls Sticky Buns Recipe

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4.7 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Sweet Hawaiian rolls elevate classic sticky buns with tropical flair. Caramelized pineapple and coconut glaze create irresistible layers of island-inspired indulgence you cannot resist.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 package (12 rolls) hawaiian sweet rolls
• ¾ cup (150 g) brown sugar, packed
• ½ cup (100 g) brown sugar
• ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter
• 3 tbsps unsalted butter, melted
• 2 tsps ground cinnamon
• ¼ cup (60 ml) heavy cream
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup (50 g) chopped pecans (optional)

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 350F (175C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray or butter.
2. Caramel Crafting: Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat, whisking brown sugar and heavy cream until smooth and glossy. Stir in vanilla extract and pour evenly across the baking dish bottom, optionally sprinkling chopped pecans.
3. Roll Preparation: Slice Hawaiian rolls horizontally while keeping the block intact. Position the bottom half of the roll block in the baking dish atop the caramel sauce.
4. Seasoning Layer: Mix ground cinnamon with brown sugar. Brush roll interiors with melted butter and dust the bottom layer with the cinnamon-sugar blend.
5. Assembly and Baking: Replace the top half of the rolls, ensuring perfect alignment. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Uncover and continue baking for 10 more minutes until rolls turn golden and caramel bubbles.
6. Serving: Rest the buns for 5 minutes after removing from the oven. Invert the baking dish onto a serving platter, allowing caramel sauce to drape over the rolls. Serve warm for maximum enjoyment.

Notes

• Butter Melting Technique: Ensure butter melts slowly over medium heat to prevent burning and achieve a smooth caramel sauce consistency.
• Roll Cutting Strategy: Use a serrated knife for clean, even horizontal slices through the Hawaiian roll block without separating individual rolls.
• Caramel Sauce Precision: Whisk brown sugar and cream continuously to prevent sugar crystallization and create a silky, glossy texture.
• Temperature Control: Allow rolls to cool for exactly 5 minutes after baking to set the caramel sauce and make inverting easier without breaking the roll structure.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Hawaiian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 290
• Sugar: 20 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg