A Purple Pairing: King’s Hawaiian and Van Leeuwen Debut Ube Coconut Ice Cream and Sandwiches to Celebrate New Sweet Rolls

King’s Hawaiian is taking its signature sweetness into the freezer aisle through a first-of-its-kind collaboration with the cult-favorite artisans at Van Leeuwen Ice Cream. The partnership celebrates the nationwide retail launch of the new King’s Hawaiian Ube Coconut Sweet Rolls with a limited-edition frozen treat lineup that leans into the vibrant, “Instagrammable” world of ube.

The collaboration brings together the iconic fluffy texture of Hawaiian bread with the creamy, French-style ice cream that has made Van Leeuwen a national sensation.

The ‘Ube Coconut’ Collection

The centerpiece of the partnership is a dual-format launch designed to highlight the nutty, vanilla-like flavor of the purple yam (ube):

Ube Coconut Ice Cream (Pints): A rich, vibrant purple ice cream featuring a creamy coconut base swirled with authentic ube. The flavor is designed to mimic the exact profile of the new King's Hawaiian rolls, offering a tropical, semi-sweet experience.
The King’s Hawaiian Ice Cream Sandwich: For the ultimate mashup, Van Leeuwen has created a pre-made ice cream sandwich featuring a scoop of the Ube Coconut ice cream nestled between two mini King’s Hawaiian Ube Coconut Sweet Rolls. It’s a texture-rich treat that combines the softness of the bread with the cold, dense creaminess of the ice cream.

The Nationwide Roll Launch

While the ice cream is a limited-time celebration, the Ube Coconut Sweet Rolls are joining the permanent King’s Hawaiian lineup.

The Flavor: Following a successful regional test, these rolls feature the brand’s classic melt-in-your-mouth texture infused with ube and a hint of coconut.
Availability: The rolls are rolling out now to grocery stores nationwide, including Walmart, Target, and Kroger.
Visual Appeal: The rolls maintain a natural, deep purple hue, making them a popular choice for colorful sliders or unique French toast recipes.

Where to Find the Ice Cream

Because Van Leeuwen is a boutique brand, the ice cream components have a more exclusive distribution:

Van Leeuwen Scoop Shops: Available at all locations nationwide starting this week.
Online: Pints and ice cream sandwich kits will be available for nationwide shipping at VanLeeuwenIceCream.com.
Grocery: Select high-end grocers (like Whole Foods and Wegmans) will carry the limited-edition pints through the early summer months.

A Tropical Trend

Ube has quickly moved from a niche global flavor to a mainstream staple in the U.S. food scene. By partnering with a premium brand like Van Leeuwen, King’s Hawaiian is proving that their rolls aren't just for dinner—they're a foundation for high-end desserts. Whether you're a long-time ube fan or just looking for the next viral snack, this “purple” partnership is one of the most exciting launches of the 2026 season.