Hawaiian Sweet Bread

Hawaiian Sweet Bread is a delectable treat with a delightful twist—the addition of pineapple juice enhances its sweetness, making it truly irresistible. The recipe, shared by Ruthie Banks from Prescott, Arizona, is a true gem, creating three loaves of this delectable bread that you can enjoy for yourself or share as thoughtful gifts with loved ones. The influence of Hawaiian sweet bread traces back to Portuguese settlers who arrived in Hawaii in the 1870s, where their beloved recipe for sweet bread, further enhanced by pineapple juice, became an iconic delicacy known as Hawaiian sweet bread.

INGREDIENTS:

• 7 to 7½ cups all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup mashed potato flakes
• ⅔ cup sugar
• 2 packages (¼ ounce each) active dry yeast
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 cup milk
• ½ cup water
• ½ cup butter, softened
• 1 cup pineapple juice
• 3 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

PREPARATIONS:

1. In a large bowl, combine 3 cups of flour, mashed potato flakes, sugar, yeast, salt, and ground ginger.
2. In a small saucepan, heat the milk, water, butter, and pineapple juice until it reaches 120°-130°.
3. Add the heated liquid mixture to the dry ingredients and beat just until moistened. Add the eggs and beat until smooth. Then, stir in the vanilla extract. Gradually add enough remaining flour to form a soft dough.
4. Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead it until it becomes smooth and elastic, which usually takes about 6-8 minutes. Place the dough in a greased bowl, turning it once to grease the top. Cover the bowl and let the dough rise in a warm place until it doubles in size, which takes about 1¼ hours.
5. After the first rise, punch the dough down and divide it into thirds. Shape each portion into a ball and place them in three greased 9-inch round baking pans. Cover the pans and let the dough rise again until doubled, which usually takes about 45 minutes.
6. Preheat the oven to 375°. Bake the loaves for 20-25 minutes or until they turn golden brown. If the top browns too quickly, you can loosely cover it with foil. Once baked, remove the loaves from the pans and let them cool on wire racks.

YIELD: 3 loaves (12 wedges each)

COOKING TIME: Prep: 20 minutes + Rising, Bake: 20-25 minutes, Cooling

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:

• For optimal results, use mashed potato flakes to achieve the perfect texture of the bread.
• While kneading, ensure the dough becomes smooth and elastic for a light and airy end product.

TIPS:

• Enjoy the Hawaiian Sweet Bread fresh and warm with a spread of butter or your favorite jam.
• Consider slicing the loaves into wedges for an attractive presentation.

In conclusion, Hawaiian Sweet Bread is a delightful fusion of flavors, bringing the sweetness of traditional bread together with the tropical touch of pineapple juice. Ruthie Banks’s recipe from Prescott, Arizona, produces three loaves of this delectable bread that can be shared as thoughtful gifts or enjoyed with family and friends.

The history of Hawaiian sweet bread traces back to the Portuguese settlers who arrived in Hawaii in the 1870s. Their recipe for sweet bread became immensely popular and was eventually known as Hawaiian sweet bread, which has now become an iconic delicacy.

Crafting the Hawaiian Sweet Bread begins with combining all-purpose flour, mashed potato flakes, sugar, yeast, salt, and ground ginger. The addition of pineapple juice, milk, water, butter, eggs, and vanilla extract creates a soft and flavorful dough. After kneading and letting the dough rise, the loaves are shaped and allowed to rise again before being baked to perfection.

The result is three beautiful loaves, each boasting a golden-brown crust and a tender, aromatic interior. Slicing the loaves into wedges presents an attractive display, inviting everyone to indulge in this delightful creation. Enjoying the Hawaiian Sweet Bread warm with butter or jam is an exquisite experience, as the sweetness of the bread is perfectly complemented by its tropical undertones.

Beyond its mouthwatering taste, Hawaiian Sweet Bread embodies the spirit of sharing and celebration. Whether you keep one loaf for yourself and offer the others as gifts or serve them during gatherings, this bread brings people together and spreads joy with every bite.

Embrace the heartwarming tradition of Hawaiian sweet bread and savor the richness of its flavors. As you enjoy this delightful treat, let it remind you of the enduring connection between food and culture, carrying the legacy of past generations into the present and beyond.