Hawaiian Bread with Coconut Butter

Posted by Lori:
I'm a big fan of sweet breads, are you?  This Hawaiian Bread is delicious (though the picture isn't very pretty!).  It's different that the King's brand Hawaiian Bread, in that it is denser, but it has great flavor and texture.  It's a perfect combination served with coconut butter. 

A restaurant in Oklahoma City (Kona Ranch) serves coconut butter and we've enjoyed it several times, but after finding a simple recipe to make it at home, we won't have to wait for special occassions to enjoy the sweet treat.  I served these two recipes along with a Hawaiian rice and Hawaiian chicken a few days ago.  It made a simple meal kind of special and fun!

Hawaiian Bread
6 cups plus 1/2 cup flour, divided
3 eggs
1 cup pineapple juice
1 cup water
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon ginger
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 packages yeast
1 stick butter, melted

Warm (not hot) pineapple juice in microwave safe bowl. Add both packages of yeast to the juice and allow to sit for 5 minutes.  Beat eggs; add yeast/pineapple juice mixture, water, sugar, ginger, vanilla extract and melted butter. Put 3 cups of the flour in large mixing bowl. Add egg mixture and stir until well mixed. Gradually add remaining 3 cups of flour.  Mix well, using hands, if needed. Leave batter in bowl, cover with cloth and place in warm place to rise. Let rise for 1 hour.

Remove from bowl and knead in the remaining 1/2 cup flour. Knead about 10 times. Divide into 3 equal parts and place in well-greased round cake pans. Cover and place in warm place (I allowed it to rise in a very low, warm oven) and let rise again, for l hour. Bake at 350ºF for 25 to 30 minutes.  Serve with butter or coconut butter.

Coconut Butter

1 cup butter (not margarine), softened
1/4 cup cream of coconut
Toasted coconut for garnish, if desired.

Mix with electric mixer until well blended.  Toast small amount of coconut per package directions.  Sprinkle on top of butter for garnish, if desired.  Store in refrigerator. (*Note:  Make sure to stir the cream of coconut as the cream and oils are sometimes seperated in the can.)