How to Make Malasadas

Malasadas are one of those treats that feel like pure comfort. Soft on the inside, golden on the outside, and coated in sugar that crackles just a little, they are a beloved treat that carries history, tradition, and plenty of joy. Learning how to make malasadas at home brings a taste of paradise into your own kitchen, especially when you pair them with a cup of our 100% Hawaiian Apple Cinnamon Malasada Coffee. Learn the history behind malasadas in Hawaii, get our step-by-step recipe, and enjoy them with a cup of Kauai Coffee for a taste of Hawaii you can enjoy anytime.

The Story of Malasadas in Hawaii

Malasadas came to Hawaii with Portuguese immigrants from the Azores and Madeira who arrived between the late 1800s and early 1900s to work in the growing sugar cane industry. They brought family recipes, cultural traditions, and a style of cooking that blended into the islands in a lasting way. Many of these families were Catholic, and malasadas were prepared before Lent to use up butter and sugar before the fasting season. That tradition is why malasadas remain a Mardi Gras favorite in Hawaii today.

Arnold Gatilao from Oakland, CA, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Over time, malasadas became part of everyday island life. You can find them at famous bakeries like Leonard’s, at food trucks parked near the beach, at school carnivals, and at farmers markets where they are served hot and fresh. Some are still made the traditional way without filling, while others are stuffed with custards, jams, or tropical fruit that reflect the creativity of local bakers. No matter where you find them, malasadas are a reminder of the communities that shaped Hawaii during the sugar plantation era.

What Makes a Malasada Special

A classic malasada has a soft, airy interior and a lightly crisp exterior that holds a generous coating of sugar. The dough is rich with eggs, cream, and butter, which gives each bite a tender texture. In Hawaii, malasadas have evolved into many styles. Some are rolled in cinnamon sugar, others are dipped in simple syrup, and many are filled with custards like haupia or guava. The flavor is simple and comforting, which is exactly what inspired our Cinnamon Apple Malasada Coffee. The warm cinnamon and gentle apple sweetness echo the feeling of a fresh malasada without overpowering our 100% Hawaiian Coffee.

How to Make Malasadas at Home

This recipe is adapted from the collection of plantation stories in West Kauai Plantation Heritage: Recipes and Stories for Life from the Legacy of Hawaii's Sugar Plantation Community, compiled by Evelyn Cook. It is an authentic recipe that tastes like the ones you find across the islands.

Recipe makes approximately two dozen malasadas

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup warm water
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 package dry active yeast
• 2 pounds flour
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/3 cup heavy cream
• 1 1/3 cup warm water
• 1/3 cup melted butter
• 8 eggs lightly beaten
•  High heat tolerant oil for frying
• Cinnamon and sugar or 1 cup powdered sugar mixed with 3 tablespoons lemon juice for a simple glaze

Instructions

1. Dissolve one teaspoon of sugar and the active yeast in 1/3 cup warm water. Let it stand while you prepare the remaining ingredients.
2. In a large bowl, combine the flour, 1/3 cup sugar, and salt.
3. In a separate bowl, mix the heavy cream and 1 1/3 cup warm water, then add this mixture to the dry ingredients.
4. Add the melted butter and beaten eggs.
5. Add the yeast mixture and combine everything until a soft dough forms.
6. Cover the dough and let it rise in a warm place until it has at least doubled in size.
7. Heat oil in a large wok or Dutch oven over medium heat until it reaches about 325 to 375 degrees.
8. Drop a generous ball of dough gently into the oil and fry until golden brown.
9. Remove the malasadas and drain on a wire rack. While still warm, coat them in cinnamon sugar, or drizzle with a simple glaze made from lemon juice and powdered sugar.
10. This recipe makes malasadas that are light, fluffy, and perfect for pairing with your favorite Hawaiian coffee.

Cinnamon Apple Malasada Coffee

Apple Cinnamon Malasada Coffee is our flavored coffee of the month, created to celebrate the tradition of malasadas in Hawaii. The aroma opens with warm cinnamon, followed by a soft apple sweetness. The finish has a gentle pastry note that brings the whole experience together. It is a flavor that honors the heritage of malasadas while offering something new to enjoy in your morning cup.

How to Pair Malasadas with Coffee

Malasadas and coffee are a match made in paradise. The richness of the dough and the sweetness of the sugar coating pair beautifully with a warm, aromatic brew. Apple Cinnamon Malasada Coffee adds balance to each bite. The cinnamon lifts the flavor of the pastry, the apple adds brightness, and the coffee itself cuts through the richness in a way that keeps everything light.

1. A few pairing ideas:
2. Enjoy a warm malasada with a freshly brewed cup for a simple treat that feels like a morning in Hawaii.
3. Serve fresh malasadas at brunch with a pot of Cinnamon Apple Malasada Coffee for a crowd-pleasing combination.
4. Try making a cinnamon or vanilla custard to fill your malasadas with to complement the cinnamon in the coffee
5. Make an apple butter or apple compote-filled malasada for a seamless flavor match

Bringing Hawaii Home

Learning how to make malasadas is a way to bring a piece of Hawaii into your kitchen. When you pair them with Apple Cinnamon Malasada Coffee, you get a taste of the islands that feels warm, familiar, and rooted in history. It is a simple pleasure that connects past and present in every bite and every sip. Stock up on Apple Cinnamon Malasada and all our decadent 100% Hawaiian Coffees now.