Hey everyone, Jason Griffith here! If you’re looking for a dessert that’s wonderfully moist, incredibly flavorful, and deceptively easy to make, then you are in for a real treat today. My recipe for Hawaiian Roll Bundt Cake takes those beloved sweet Hawaiian rolls and transforms them into a magnificent, tender, and incredibly delicious cake, often drizzled with a simple, sweet glaze. It’s a unique sweet sensation that’s guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser and a new family favorite!
Why I Love This Recipe
What’s not to love about a cake that feels gourmet but uses such a simple, ready-made ingredient? I am absolutely smitten with Hawaiian Roll Bundt Cake because it leverages the inherent sweetness and tender texture of Hawaiian rolls to create an unbelievably moist and flavorful cake base. The rolls practically melt into the batter, infusing it with their signature subtle sweetness. It’s fantastic for potlucks, family gatherings, barbecues, or just when you need a simple yet impressive dessert. Plus, it comes together quickly and is baked in a beautiful Bundt pan, making for an effortless yet elegant presentation. It truly is a unique twist that everyone will adore!
The Sweet Ingenuity of Doctored Mixes and Convenience Baking
The concept of using pre-made components, often “doctoring” them with additional ingredients, has been a long-standing tradition in American home baking. This approach allows for significant time-saving and simplification without sacrificing flavor or homemade appeal. Hawaiian rolls, famous for their soft texture, distinct sweetness, and slightly yeasty flavor, have moved beyond dinner rolls to become an unexpected star in creative dessert recipes.
This Hawaiian Roll Bundt Cake is a brilliant example of such ingenuity. By combining the rolls with a simple liquid and a few extra ingredients, they essentially form the “flour” and part of the “leavening” for a uniquely textured cake. The result is a cake that’s incredibly moist and infused with the rolls’ characteristic sweetness, then often topped with a simple glaze that enhances its dessert appeal. It’s a testament to how creative adaptations of common pantry items can yield surprisingly delicious and incredibly easy results, making it a perfect fit for busy modern kitchens seeking comforting, homemade-ttasting desserts.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to create this moist and delightful Hawaiian Roll Bundt Cake:
For the Cake:
- 1 (12 ounce) package King’s Hawaiian Sweet Rolls (12 rolls)
- 1 cup milk (whole or 2%)
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Optional: 1/2 cup shredded sweetened coconut (for coconut flavor in cake)
For the Glaze:
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 2-4 tablespoons milk or heavy cream
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Swaps and Notes
- Hawaiian Rolls: King’s Hawaiian Sweet Rolls are essential for this recipe; their unique sweetness and texture are what make this cake special. Do not substitute with regular dinner rolls.
- Milk: Whole milk or 2% milk will provide the best richness and moisture.
- Butter: Unsalted butter is preferred to control the saltiness. Ensure it’s melted for easy mixing.
- Vanilla Extract: Good quality vanilla enhances the sweetness.
- Baking Powder: While the rolls themselves have some leavening, a touch of extra baking powder helps ensure the cake is fluffy.
- Coconut (Optional): Adding shredded sweetened coconut to the batter enhances the tropical flavor. You could also sprinkle some toasted coconut on top of the glaze as a garnish.
- Glaze Consistency: Adjust the milk gradually to achieve your desired drizzly or spreadable consistency.
Steps for the Recipe
Let’s get this unique and delicious Bundt cake baking!
- Prepare Oven & Bundt Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Thoroughly grease and flour a 10-12 cup Bundt pan. This is crucial for easy release!
- Prepare Hawaiian Rolls: Tear or cut the Hawaiian rolls into small pieces (about 1-inch chunks). Place them in a large mixing bowl.
- Soak Rolls: Pour the milk over the torn Hawaiian roll pieces. Let them soak for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the rolls have absorbed most of the milk and are very soft and mushy. You can lightly mash them with a fork.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the melted butter, granulated sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Combine Wet & Soaked Rolls: Pour the wet ingredient mixture into the bowl with the soaked Hawaiian rolls. Stir well until thoroughly combined.
- Add Leavening & Salt: Stir in the baking powder and salt. If using optional shredded coconut, fold it in now. Mix until just combined.
- Pour into Pan: Pour the cake batter evenly into your prepared Bundt pan. Spread gently with a spatula.
- Bake: Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until the cake is golden brown on top and a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool Cake: Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the Bundt pan on a wire rack for 10-15 minutes. This is important to allow the cake to set before inverting.
- Invert & Cool Completely: Carefully invert the Bundt cake onto a wire rack. Let it cool completely before applying the glaze. This is crucial to prevent the glaze from melting.
- Make the Glaze: While the cake cools, in a small bowl, whisk together the sifted powdered sugar, milk (or heavy cream), and vanilla extract until smooth. Adjust milk gradually to reach your desired drizzly consistency.
- Glaze & Serve: Once the cake is completely cool, drizzle the glaze generously over the top of the Bundt cake, allowing it to drip down the sides. Slice and serve!
Tips for Success
- Thoroughly Grease and Flour Bundt Pan: Bundt cakes can be tricky to release. Be very generous with the grease (butter or shortening) and flour, getting into all crevices. Alternatively, use a baking spray with flour.
- Soak Rolls Completely: Ensure the Hawaiian roll pieces are fully softened by the milk. This creates the moist cake texture.
- Don’t Overbake: Overbaked cake can be dry. Bake until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool in Pan, Then Invert: Allowing the cake to cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes before inverting helps it set and prevents it from breaking.
- Cool Completely Before Glazing: Glazing a warm cake will cause the glaze to melt right off. Patience is key!
- Sift Powdered Sugar: For a perfectly smooth, lump-free glaze.
Serving Suggestions and Pairings
Hawaiian Roll Bundt Cake is a delightful treat perfect for many occasions:
- Dessert: Serve a slice on its own, or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
- Brunch: A sweet and unique addition to any brunch spread.
- Coffee Break: Perfect with a warm cup of coffee, tea, or a latte.
- Potlucks & Parties: Its impressive appearance and easy slicing make it ideal for feeding a crowd, similar to my Big Family Banana Pudding.
- Celebrations: The unique flavor makes it a fun cake for birthdays or other festive events.
- Beverage Pairings: A simple glass of milk, iced tea, or even a tropical fruit juice blend.
Storage and Leftover Tips
Hawaiian Roll Bundt Cake stays wonderfully moist and is great for storing:
- Room Temperature: Store cooled cake, covered tightly with plastic wrap or in an airtight cake dome, at room temperature for up to 3-4 days.
- Refrigerate: If your kitchen is very warm or humid, or if it has a dairy-based topping not listed here, refrigerate. Otherwise, room temperature is fine.
- Freezing (Unfrosted): The unfrosted cake freezes beautifully. Once completely cool, wrap the entire cake or individual slices tightly in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature before glazing and serving.
More Recipes You Will Love
If you enjoyed creating this unique and delicious cake, you might also like these other delightful desserts:
- For a fun and whimsical cake that’s great for parties, try How This Unicorn Poke Cake Became My Favorite Party Trick.
- If you love rich, indulgent chocolate, you have to try These Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Brownie Bombs Are My Favorite Sweet Obsession.
- For the ultimate classic brownie, my recipe for The Best Peanut Butter Brownies I’ve Ever Made (and I’ve Made a Lot) is a definite winner.
- Looking for an incredibly easy no-bake dessert that’s perfect for summer? Don’t miss This Easy Ice Cream Sandwich Cake Is My Favorite No-Bake Summer Dessert.
Final Thoughts
Hawaiian Roll Bundt Cake is a true triumph of creative baking – it offers unique flavors, incredible moisture, and an effortless elegance that will surprise and delight everyone. It’s perfect for any occasion, a sweet and simple treat that’s guaranteed to become a new favorite in your recipe collection.
I hope you give this amazing recipe a try and enjoy every tender, sweet bite! Let me know in the comments below if this becomes your new go-to Bundt cake, or what other creative twists you love to put on classic desserts. I always love hearing from you! Happy baking!
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