Dole Whip Pineapple Babka with Vanilla Soft Serve Glaze
A tropical twist on traditional babka featuring layers of buttery yeasted dough swirled with vanilla soft serve mix and dried pineapple pieces. The signature Disney Dole Whip flavors shine through pineapple juice powder in the dough and a creamy vanilla-pineapple glaze. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert when you want something special that captures vacation vibes. The distinctive twisted shape showcases beautiful swirls of filling, while the tender crumb stays moist for days. This version classic babka with nostalgic theme park flavors that appeal to both kids and adults.
Ingredients
- ½ cup whole milk
- ¼ cup granulated sugar, plus a pinch
- 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast
- 1 large egg, brought to room temperature
- 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for work surfacebread flour1:1glutentexture
creates chewier texture
- ½ tsp table salt
- 2 TBSP Vanilla Flavored Soft Serve Mixvanilla pudding mix1:1flavor
slightly different taste but works
- 2 TBSP pineapple juice powder
- 3 TBSP unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 2 TBSP unsalted butter, at room temperature
- ½ cup sweetened dried pineapple, finely dicedfresh diced pineapple1:1texturesweetness
add 2 TBSP sugar, pat dry before using
- 6 TBSP pineapple juice
- 3 TBSP Vanilla Flavored Soft Serve Mixvanilla pudding mix1:1flavor
slightly different taste but works
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- 1
Prepare loaf pan with baking spray
- 2
Warm milk and pinch of sugar to 110-116°F
- 3
Sprinkle yeast over milk and let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes
- 4
Whisk together egg and remaining sugar, then slowly whisk in yeast mixture
- 5
Combine flour, vanilla soft serve mix, pineapple juice powder, and salt in stand mixer with paddle attachment
- 6
Add egg mixture on low speed, mixing until combined
- 7
Add butter and mix until incorporated
- 8
Switch to dough hook and knead for 10 minutes on low speed
- 9
Place dough in greased bowl, cover and let rise for 1 hour until doubled
- 10
Turn dough onto floured surface and gently deflate with floured hands
- 11
Let rest for 5 minutes, then roll into large rectangle with short sides 11-12 inches
- 12
Spread soft butter over dough surface
- 13
Sprinkle vanilla soft serve mix over butter and rub in with hands
- 14
Sprinkle dried pineapple pieces over butter mixture
- 15
Tightly roll dough from one short end to other, forming 12-13 inch log
- 16
Cut log straight down middle to expose filling
- 17
Layer cut pieces on top of each other and twist
- 18
Place in greased loaf pan and cover with kitchen towel
- 19
Let rise another 30 minutes
- 20
Preheat oven to 350°F
- 21
Bake for 20 minutes with aluminum foil tent
- 22
Remove foil and bake another 15-20 minutes until edges are brown
- 23
Cool for 5-10 minutes, then loosen sides and transfer to wire rack
- 24
Whisk together pineapple juice, butter, vanilla soft serve mix, and powdered sugar for glaze
- 25
Pour glaze over cooled babka
- 26
Let glaze firm up for about 30 minutes
Tips
Use a kitchen scale for more accurate flour measurements - too much flour will make the dough heavy and dense.
Make sure your milk temperature is correct with a thermometer - too hot will kill the yeast, too cool won't activate it properly.
The dough should be slightly sticky but manageable - resist adding too much extra flour during kneading as this affects the final texture.
Good to Know
Store covered at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to 1 week.
Dough can be made through first rise, then refrigerated overnight. Bring to room temperature before shaping.
Best served at room temperature, can be warmed slightly in low oven if desired.
Common Mistakes
Use a thermometer to check milk temperature to avoid killing yeast with excessive heat.
Don't skip the resting time after deflating or dough will spring back during rolling.
Cut with decisive motions to avoid compressing the layers and losing the twisted effect.
Substitutions
Dairy-Free Swaps
Gluten-Free Swaps
General Alternatives
add 2 TBSP sugar, pat dry before using
slightly different taste but works
FAQ
Can I make this without a stand mixer?
Yes, but it requires more work. Mix ingredients by hand then knead on floured surface for 15-20 minutes until smooth and elastic.
What if I can't find vanilla soft serve mix?
Substitute with vanilla pudding mix or use 2 tablespoons vanilla extract plus 2 tablespoons cornstarch mixed together.
How long will this keep fresh?
Properly stored at room temperature, the babka stays fresh for 3 days. Refrigerate for longer storage up to 1 week.