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Could Sara Lee Dethrone King’s Hawaiian With This New Bread?

Geo Sandler 5 min read
Could Sara Lee Dethrone King’s Hawaiian With This New Bread
Images via Sara Lee

Who doesn’t love using soft and sweet Hawaiian rolls for sliders, sandwiches, and French toast? There’s a reason why King’s Hawaiian is doing big business right now and that reason is cause most of us always have their rolls, buns, and bread in our pantries and freezers.

When it comes to bread rolls, King’s Hawaiian has almost always been our go-to. But with more and more brands making their own version of bread rolls, it’s getting harder for us to choose which one to get. Nature’s Own and Pepperidge Farm have pretty good takes. And now, Sara Lee Artesano Bread has thrown their hat into the ring.

Sara Lee may be more famous for their cakes, but their Artesano Bread are some of the best store-bought bread you can find. Their bakery bread line is small but loved, featuring only a few types of loaves, buns, and rolls. Now they’re adding two new items: Hawaiian Bakery Bread and Buns.

For the first time ever, Sara Lee is offering delicious sweet Hawaiian bread for the first time with these new products: thick-sliced bread and bakery buns. These have the same soft, pillowy texture as all their Artesano breads; complete with the hint of sweetness and that small touch of saltiness you can expect from Hawaiian bread.

The new Artesano Hawaiian loaf is absolutely perfect and actually sounds tailor-made for your summer sandwiches, bread puddings, and French toast. The buns are great if you’re making your own Firehouse Subs pulled pork sandwich or Arby’s fish sandwich, or when you’re just building the perfect burger for Memorial Day weekend.

As of now, Sara Lee doesn’t have any slider sizes for their Hawaiian bread, so you’ll need King’s Hawaiian for those mini sandwiches for potlucks and tailgates.

The good news is Sara Lee Artesano Hawaiian Bread is now available at all major retailers nationwide. But keep in mind that the Hawaiian Buns are only in stores located in the Southeast for now. Here’s hoping that they’ll be everywhere soon. In the meantime, we’re all very excited to have more options when it comes to bread rolls for our meals.

The Origins of King’s Hawaiian and Sara Lee

King’s Hawaiian and Sara Lee are two brands that have made significant marks in the food industry. But their similarities don’t end there. Both of them have very rich histories that tells a compelling story of how they made their impact on bread. King’s Hawaiian was opened by Robert Taira, a Japanese-Hawaiian baker who opened his first bakery in Hilo, Hawaii in 1950. Taira’s bakery became famous for their sweet round bread made using unique recipes that combined both traditional Japanese and Hawaiian baking techniques. This fusion created a fluffy, slightly sweet bread that quickly earned a loyal following. Today, the brand is known as King’s Hawaiian and was officially established in 1977 when Taira moved his growing business to Torrance, California.

On the other hand, Sara Lee’s roots can be traced all the way back to 1935 when Charles Lubin and his brother-in-law opened a small chain of bakeries named after Lubin’s daughter, Sara Lee Lubin. Back then, it was only a small bakery in Chicago. Little did they know that it was the foundation for what would became a massively expanded business that grew into a household name. Over the decades, Sara Lee became known for their desserts and have diversified into various food products, including the Artesano line of breads, which made artisan-quality loaves of bread accessible in typical grocery stores.

Charles Lubin, the founder of Sara Lee bakeries
Charles Lubin, the founder of Sara Lee bakeries

From the volcanic islands of Hawaii to the bustling city of Chicago, both brands have distinctive histories filled with innovation and a commitment to quality that defines their products.

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Bringing the Sweet and Soft Touch of Hawaii into Your Kitchen

The introduction of Sara Lee’s Artesano Hawaiian Bread comes at a time when Hawaiian rolls are experiencing a surge in popularity. These versatile rolls have transcended their traditional role as simple sandwich bread, becoming a staple ingredient in countless recipes. From sliders and French toast to bread pudding and even stuffing, Hawaiian bread’s unique texture and subtle sweetness add a delightful twist to both sweet and savory dishes.

The allure of Hawaiian bread lies not only in its flavor but also its versatility. The rolls’ soft, pillowy texture makes them perfect for soaking up sauces and flavors, while their subtle sweetness balances out savory ingredients. This unique combination has made Hawaiian bread a favorite among home cooks and professional chefs alike.

Sara Lee’s entry into this competitive market is a testament to the enduring popularity of Hawaiian bread. With its established reputation for quality and its commitment to innovation, Sara Lee is well-positioned to make a significant impact in this exciting and ever-evolving food trend.

From The Club

Dinner rolls are alright. I wouldn’t consider them a necessity to have a good meal but they sure are great when paired with certain dishes. King’s Hawaiian is usually everyone’s go-to but man does Sara Lee have an absolutely delicious new entry. I enjoyed King’s Hawaiian so far but I have yet to try Sara Lee’s take on bread rolls. If their previous baked goods would be a comparison, we would all be in for a treat.

Tagged: Sara Lee