Guava Sweet Rolls

This recipe is inspired by the sweet breads from the Hawaiian bake shop on the Big Island. It’s not a copycat recipe. Just easy rolls that are soft, slightly sweet and has a nice hint of guava.

Guavas are tropical fruits that are bright and somewhat fragrant in flavor. Strawberries remind me of guavas. I grew up eating guavas and love them. When I first tasted the sweet breads on Hawaii, I was hooked. They have other flavors too, including taro! I believe the sweet breads found in the bake shop on Hawaii are Portuguese style. I haven’t looked into Portuguese bread, but I know how to make yeast dinner rolls. So I’ve converted a yeast roll recipe into guava rolls.

If you are wondering where you can find guava during the off season. I was able to find frozen guava pulp/ puree in the freezer section at my local grocery store. They are right by the frozen fruits. It comes in a 14 oz bag. This recipe doesn’t use all of that. You can add the extra puree to your smoothies or use it in another recipe. 🙂

One additional note when making these, the food coloring is optional. I almost forgot about it and just added it during the kneading process. Oh! While thinking of the kneading process, if you don’t have a stand mixer, you can certainly knead by hand or even us a bread machine. Otherwise, it’s a fairly easy recipe.

After a week like this week, I can use an easy mental escape. I wouldn’t mind being on the Big Island again for a moment, even if it’s just in my imagination.

Guava Sweet Rolls

Yields: 8 large rolls
Time: 2 – 2 ½ hours inactive time
Bake time: 20 minutes

2 ¼ (288 g) all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon cinnamon
2 teaspoons instant dry yeast
¼ cup (50g) sugar
½ cup (4oz) warm milk
4 tablespoons (57g) softened butter
¼ cup (2oz) guava pulp/puree
Pink food coloring

•  In a small saucepan, warm the milk.
•  In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine yeast, sugar and warm milk. Allow mixture to sit for 3-5 minutes. The mixture will look frothy.
• While the yeast proofs, combine the flour, salt and cinnamon and set aside.
• Once yeast has proofed, place bowl on mixer. Add the flour mixture, 3 tablespoons softened butter and guava puree. Using the dough hook knead for 5-8 minutes. During this process add the food coloring. You may also knead by hand. The dough should be soft, but not sticky.
• Take the ball of dough out of the bowl, grease the bowl and return the dough. Cover and allow to rise for an hour and a half to two hours.
• On a lightly floured surface, divide the dough into 8 equal pieces and roll into small balls and place in a greased pan. Allow to rise for at least another 30 minutes or until doubled in size.
• Bake in an oven that has been preheated to 375F (190C) for 18-20 minutes.
• Allow to cool in pan for about 5 minutes and remove to cool on wire rack. Brush with additional 1 tablespoon of melted butter.