Hawaiian Roll Macadamia Nut Bread Pudding

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If you’re looking to elevate your traditional meatloaf, this Cheddar Chorizo Meatloaf with Honey Chipotle Glaze delivers big, bold flavors with a spicy, smoky, and slightly sweet kick. By swapping out the usual ground beef for rich, seasoned Mexican chorizo, this dish brings a whole new level of depth and intensity to an all-time comfort food favorite.

Why You’ll Love This Hawaiian Roll Bread Pudding

This Hawaiian bread pudding transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary dessert that combines familiar comfort with tropical flair. The recipe features Hawaiian sweet rolls soaked in rich custard, studded with macadamia nuts, and topped with homemade coconut caramel sauce for a dessert that works perfectly for both special occasions and everyday treats.

This Mexican-inspired meatloaf is topped with a sweet and smoky honey chipotle glaze, made by blending dried chipotle peppers with their soaking liquid for an intense, well-rounded heat. The glaze caramelizes beautifully as the meatloaf bakes, locking in moisture while creating a sticky, flavorful crust. A layer of melted sharp cheddar cheese finishes it off, adding a gooey, savory richness that perfectly balances the spice.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• All Chorizo, No Beef: Unlike traditional meatloaf, this version uses 100% Mexican chorizo, giving it a deep, complex flavor with just the right amount of spice.
• Honey Chipotle Glaze: A perfect balance of smoky, spicy, and sweet, made with real dried chipotle peppers blended into a smooth sauce.
• Melty Cheddar Topping: Sharp cheddar cheese brings a creamy, salty contrast to the bold meatloaf, making every bite irresistible.
• Easy to Make: Despite its complex flavors, this one-pan meal is simple to prep and bakes beautifully in a loaf pan.
• Great for Leftovers: Slice it up for next-day sandwiches or serve over rice for a quick and satisfying meal.

What Makes This Chorizo Meatloaf Stand Out?

The secret to this dish is Mexican chorizo—a fresh, uncooked sausage that’s packed with paprika, garlic, vinegar, and a signature spice blend. Unlike Spanish chorizo, which is cured, Mexican chorizo breaks down beautifully when cooked, infusing the meatloaf with its natural smokiness and rich, fatty texture.

The honey chipotle glaze enhances the natural smokiness of the chorizo while adding an addictive sticky finish. Made with blended dried chipotle peppers, honey, Dijon mustard, and tomato paste, this glaze brings a slow-building heat with just the right amount of sweetness to round it out.

Serving Suggestions

• Grilled Vegetables: Zucchini, peppers, and onions add freshness to balance the richness.
• Garlic Mashed Potatoes: A classic side that soaks up all that extra glaze.
• Street Corn Salad: A bright, tangy contrast to the smoky chorizo flavors.
• Crispy Roasted Sweet Potatoes: The natural sweetness complements the heat from the chipotle.

Final Thoughts

If you love spicy, smoky, and cheesy comfort food, this Mexican-inspired chorizo meatloaf is a must-try. Whether you’re making it for a weeknight dinner, meal prep, or a showstopping dish to impress guests, this meatloaf delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort. The leftovers are just as good, if not better, the next day.

Try it out and let me know how it turns out. Looking for more Mexican-fusion comfort food? Stay tuned for more bold, flavor-packed recipes.

Key Ingredients for Hawaiian Bread Pudding

Hawaiian Sweet Rolls

The foundation of this recipe is Hawaiian sweet rolls, which deliver superior results compared to regular bread. Their pillowy texture and built-in sweetness create the perfect base that absorbs the custard beautifully. When baked, these rolls develop a golden exterior while maintaining a soft, moist interior.

Macadamia Nuts

Macadamia nuts add authentic Hawaiian flavor and essential textural contrast to this bread pudding. Their rich, buttery taste complements the sweet custard perfectly, while providing a satisfying crunch against the soft pudding. Chopping them ensures even distribution throughout the dessert.

Creamy Custard Mixture

The custard combines heavy cream, whole milk, eggs, sugar, vanilla, and a hint of cinnamon. This rich mixture infuses the bread completely, creating a velvety smooth texture throughout the pudding. The cinnamon adds a warm spice note that enhances the tropical flavors without overwhelming them.

Coconut Caramel Sauce

What truly elevates this Hawaiian bread pudding is the homemade coconut caramel sauce. Made with brown sugar, butter, coconut milk, and a touch of sea salt, this sauce adds a tropical dimension that perfectly complements the macadamia nuts. The coconut milk creates a lighter texture than traditional caramel while adding subtle tropical flavor.

How to Make Hawaiian Roll Macadamia Nut Bread Pudding

This bread pudding comes together easily despite its impressive results. The Hawaiian rolls are cut into cubes and mixed with chopped macadamia nuts before being soaked in the custard mixture. After baking in a loaf pan, the pudding develops the perfect contrast between a slightly crisp top and a moist, tender center.

The coconut caramel sauce is prepared separately and drizzled over each serving. This presentation method ensures that each slice maintains its structure while still benefiting from the sweet, tropical sauce. For an extra touch of elegance, garnish with additional chopped macadamia nuts or toasted coconut flakes.

Serving Suggestions for Hawaiian Bread Pudding

This versatile Hawaiian bread pudding works wonderfully in multiple serving styles:

• Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delightful temperature contrast
• Add a dollop of freshly whipped cream for a lighter accompaniment
• Enjoy at room temperature as an afternoon treat with coffee
• Make individual portions in ramekins for elegant dinner party desserts

Why This Hawaiian Roll Bread Pudding Recipe Works

The combination of Hawaiian sweet rolls, macadamia nuts, and coconut caramel creates a perfectly balanced dessert. The rolls provide sweetness and structure, the nuts add texture and richness, and the coconut caramel sauce brings tropical flair. Together, these elements create a bread pudding that’s both familiar and excitingly different.

Whether you’re looking for a unique dessert for your next gathering or simply want to bring a taste of the tropics to your table, this Hawaiian Roll Macadamia Nut Bread Pudding delivers exceptional flavor with straightforward preparation. The result is a memorable dessert that will transport you to a tropical paradise with every bite.

SUGGESTED RECIPE: Coconut Caramel Raisin Bread Pudding

If you’re into the buttery richness of Hawaiian Roll Macadamia Nut Bread Pudding, Coconut Caramel Raisin Bread Pudding takes things a step further with coconut milk custard, warm spices, and a glossy coconut caramel sauce that brings tropical depth and dairy-free comfort to the table.