Eric just called to tell me about the Lego store he is in. “They have Gandalf, Karen! A life-size knight, on a rearing horse! Jasmine and Aladdin, on the magic carpet!”
When I scoff, I can actually feel him rolling his eyes at me, like I’m some heathen who just doesn’t understand art or something. Apparently I need to up the giddiness level in my voice when Legos are brought up, or I’m walking the line.
Last time he was in LA for a business trip, he called to tell me that his hotel was literally across the street from LegoLand, which is of course at the top of his bucket list. He checked the hours, and they happened to be closed the two days he was there. I said good, I don’t want you to have to be thrown out for being that creeper guy at a kids amusement park.
Have you guys had Hawaiian Bread? You know, the kind they sell in round loafs or rolls, in the bright orange bags? My mom used to buy the round loafs as a special treat growing up, and we had a tradition of just tearing out hunks of the bread instead of slicing it. I still do that when I buy it.
But…I don’t know if I’ll be buying it again anytime soon. These Samoan Coconut Rolls are not the same; but they are both very sweet, soft breads, and these Samoan Rolls reminded me of Hawaiian bread. Except they are way better, because they are soaked in coconut milk. And you get to eat them warm.
They are amazing. AMAZING. I have never had a softer, moister, more pillowy roll in my entire life. You pour half a can of coconut milk over the risen rolls, so they are literally baked in the stuff, making it pretty much impossible to dry them out. Plus there is coconut milk in the bread itself. Eric told me he was afraid they would be overly coconut-y, but was pleasantly surprised. The coconut ends up being mild, but it still gives it a very deep flavor that you don’t find in regular sweet rolls.
I gave some of these to our neighbors and immediately regretted it. I wanted to eat all of them, the entire dozen, by myself. The few that were left were stored in a tupperware on the counter, right next to a box of really awesome cookies. I always went for the rolls first. They are like candy.
These rolls would be absolutely perfect for Thanksgiving, especially since you can form the dough into rolls 24 hours in advance. One less thing to do on the big day. (Which is in just one week people! Check out my latest posts for some great sides and desserts, and stay tuned for more to come.)
P.S. Do you guys know how much I love getting comments? They make me so happy. I never know you’re here if you don’t say hi. Go ahead, make my day! I always respond.
Samoan Coconut Rolls
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon active dry yeast, 1 package
- 3 tablespoons water, warm, 105F- 115 F
- 1 14-oz can coconut milk, divided (don't use light)
- 4 tablespoons salted butter, half stick
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup powdered milk, non-fat or other
- 3 & ½ cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
- optional: light sprinkling of coarse salt OR raw sugar
Instructions
- In a stand mixer or large bowl add the tablespoon of yeast, then pour the warm water over it and stir to combine. You want the water nice and warm, not hot. Stir it up and set the bowl aside.
- Shake up your can of coconut milk. In a large (4 cup) measuring cup, pour in one cup of the coconut milk. Add half a stick of salted butter. Put it in the microwave, and heat until the butter is about halfway melted, just a minute or two. Take it out, add ½ cup sugar and ½ teaspoon salt, and stir it until the butter melts all the way. If necessary, let the milk cool off for a bit. You are about to add an egg and you don't want to cook it.
- Crack in the egg and whisk rapidly so that it doesn't curdle. Add the powdered milk and whisk until combined.
- By now your yeast should be nice and frothy. Add the milk/butter mixture to the yeast mixture.
- At this point I held the dough hook in my hand and stirred everything together manually. Then attach it to your mixer and turn it on medium low until everything is combined. (If you aren't using a mixer, you can do this all with a strong wooden spoon and some elbow grease.)
- Add 3 ½ cups of flour that have been spooned and leveled. Continue mixing dough.
- Add in enough additional flour (if needed) to make soft dough: it should be pretty sticky, but not wet. Check out my photos below. It will not pull away completely from the sides of the bowl.
- Set a timer for 8 minutes, and let the mixer knead the dough on low. Or, turn dough on lightly floured surface and knead for 8 minutes.
- Place dough in a greased bowl, turning once to coat the dough. Cover loosely with a clean cloth or with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm, draft-free place for one and a half or two hours. Mine did not double in size, but it did rise. Try to get close to two hours.
- Punch the dough down.
- Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces. Shape into balls.
- Place in greased 12 -inch round pan. You can use a cast iron skillet, or a 9x13 pan would also work. (At this point, you can refrigerate, covered, for up to 24 hours. Let sit at room temperature for one hour before baking.)
- If you aren't refrigerating, let the rolls rise for another 45 minutes to an hour in a warm place.
- Preheat the oven to 350 F. Brush the top of the rolls generously with coconut milk, then pour the rest of the milk evenly into the pan. Yes, all of it. Sprinkle with sugar or salt.
- Bake until the crust is deep golden brown, about 20 to 25 minutes.
- Let cool slightly and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Use full-fat coconut milk. Oh yeah, bring it on.
You want the dough to be soft, but not to the point that it sticks to your fingers like crazy.
A little stick is okay. This is the dough that stuck to my hand after I lifted it in the previous picture.
You want to pour allll that coconut milk on. It seems like a lot. Just do it.
Can you see that coconut milk boiling?! Yum.
I had excess milk at the bottom, is that normal? It seemed like they were not done although they were cooked through, it was just like a layer of pudding. The tops were beautifully golden, very soft and delicious.
Hi Pam! They are meant to be reeeally moist on the bottom. When I make them, there is definitely a pudding-like layer but it usually sticks to the rolls. If you don’t like that, just add a little less coconut milk next time. I’m glad you liked them! Thanks for coming back to comment Pam!
Karen – took these rolls to a holiday party yesterday and they were a huge hit. I was freaked out by pouring all of the milk over the top but they turned out so awesome. There were two left over and generally I leave my leftovers with the host so I am not tempted to eat them but I took these home. AWESOME. This one will become a staple for me.
I’m so glad you loved them Angie! I know, I was nervous about pouring all the coconut milk on too, but it totally works. I need to make these again, like right now. Thanks for commenting Angie :)
These are to die for. Make them now. Right now.
Don’t die Nikki! I’m glad you loved them :)
Wow! These sound amazing. You can never have too much coconut in my opinion :)
Agreed Laura!
Hi Karen,
I made these rolls today and let me tell you, they are Great! I used my bread machine and only did the dough cycle (I placed the ingredients into the pan as suggested by my machines manufacturers) I did not add the water. I also added the 3-3/4 cups of flour and it was just a little bit sticky when I took it out of the pan but, sprinkled the counter with just a teeny, tiny bit of flour and all was well. I also used the lite coconut milk. They are sooooooo good! Thanks for sharing!
Diane
Diane! Thank you so much for the bread machine instructions! You are fabulous. I’m so glad these turned out well for you. And thank you for letting us know that light coconut milk works fine. That’s great! Thanks again!
Ok – just for the record – go do a google image search for “downtown disney lego store pictures” and prepare to be blown away. These things are 10-20 feet tall. I’m serious!
Yes, we know you’re serious Eric. Oh so serious about legos. (I do have to admit those pictures are pretty amazing :)
These look great! Do you think they would be bad if I left out the powdered milk?
Thanks for your comment! I actually wouldn’t leave out the powdered milk. It makes the outer edges crusty. If you want to sub regular milk, you will have to do a little research on how much (because it will mess with the liquid levels in the bread.) Dry milk is often the “secret ingredient” to famous bread recipes.
Haha! Ive never seen panipopo called samoan coconut rolls. ;) i want some now!!
I forgot to add that to the title Josie! *fixed* I still need to leave the other title in for all us whities who don’t know what Pani popo means :)
Karen, your bread looks Amazing ! Girlfriend, I will be making this bread this weekend . Thanks for the link back!
Thanks again for the recipe Immaculate!! It is perfect. You a genius. I’m glad I could inspire you to make these this weekend, any weekend that includes these babies is bound to be a good one. Oh and PS, I just saw your African Pepper Soup. PINNED! Yum.
Those look kind of amazing! I could certainly go for some carbs right now ;)
I am so with you. I can ALWAYS go for some carbs!!
Mmm… These look delicious! I think I might cheat and make these with frozen dough. I’m just not very good with baked goods that have to rise twice… I think my kitchen is too drafty (or I’m just not good at following directions).
Hey Emily!! YES, I meant to mention that in the recipe, you can totally sub Rhodes Rolls for the homemade dough. I’ve never tried it, but I’ve seen other reliable sources blog about it. Check this one out from Chef in Training. The recipe is a little different but I’m sure it tastes similar. Come back and tell us what you do and how it works out! Thanks for commenting Emily!
PS If you ever do decided to try out yeast, try the trick of turning on your oven for a minute, turning it off, and letting them rise inside. Works like a charm!
This sounds really delicious, I think I’ll make them for Thanksgiving. Would they be too sweet, you think? Also, I’ve made whipped coconut cream many times, it’s great. Also, melt chocolate chips (like a whole bag; I used enjoy life) and the coc milk together. Cool it in the fridge and then beat it. It’s like chocolate frosting, it’s SOOO good.
I don’t think they will be too sweet, but then again I am all about decadence. If you add salt on top instead of sugar, I think they will be perfect. Let me know how you like them!!
And okay, I am putting my coconut in the fridge RIGHT NOW. Do you just eat it, like a mousse? Or do you frost cake with it?
Love the use of the coconut milk. I put it in almost everything. Now I have a new use. thx for sharing.
Isn’t coconut milk the best Peter? Next I need to try refrigerating it and whipping it, I’ve heard that’s amazing. Have you tried that?
I have not but now that you have given me the idea, I got to try it. thx.
I’ve had many of these over the last 11 1/2 years and I have to agree, they are pretty great! Love them with some hot chocolate!
Oooh, that sounds like a great combo Amber!! Have you got any other amazing recipes you are hiding up your sleeve?? Spill!
I haven’t founded a great roll recipe yet, but this might be the one. I love coconut milk, so I’m sure I’d love these. Can’t wait to try!
Hey Megan! These might just be the ones for you, if you love coconut milk. Be prepared to eat 12 dinner rolls in one sitting…I’m not kidding. Let me know if you try them out! Thanks for the comment! PS Those Spiced Pecan Bites look yummy! I’m a not-so-closet candy corn lover.
I just made these rolls for dinner – and – oh my goodness! They are amazing. I held off and only had one, but totally wanted to devour the whole pan! Thanks for sharing this great recipe :)
Megan, I’m so glad you made these and loved them! I am super jealous. I need to make them again. And not give them to my neighbors this time. :)