Sticky Coconut Dinner Rolls - Pani Popo

If you love soft, sweet rolls with a gooey surprise at the bottom, these sticky coconut dinner rolls are about to become a favorite. Made with simple ingredients and minimal effort, this recipe transforms frozen dinner rolls into a bakery-style treat soaked in a rich coconut sauce. They’re perfect for brunch, holidays, or anytime you want something warm and comforting with a tropical twist.

Ingredients 

• 12–20 frozen dinner rolls, depending on size
• (or homemade dough rolled into golf-ball-size portions)
• 1 (10-ounce) can coconut milk
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• Cooking spray

Instructions

1. Prepare the baking dish
   Lightly coat a 9×13-inch glass baking dish with cooking spray. Arrange the frozen dinner rolls evenly in the dish. If you’re using homemade dough, roll it into golf-ball-sized balls and place them the same way.
2. Let the rolls rise
   Spray a sheet of plastic wrap with cooking spray and loosely cover the dish (this prevents sticking). Let the rolls thaw and rise until doubled in size, about 4–5 hours.
   Tip: If you’re short on time, follow the quick-rise instructions on the frozen roll package.
3. Make the coconut sauce
   Preheat your oven to 350°F. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the coconut milk and sugar. Whisk continuously until the sugar dissolves and the mixture thickens slightly, about 5 minutes.
   Optional: For a thinner sauce, simply whisk the coconut milk and sugar together in a bowl without heating.
4. Bake the rolls
   Pour about ⅔ of the coconut sauce evenly over the risen rolls. Bake for 20–30 minutes, or until the rolls are golden brown and fully baked through (follow dough or package instructions if needed).
5. Finish with extra sauce
   Remove the rolls from the oven and pour the remaining coconut sauce over the top, letting it soak down into the rolls.

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