Hawaiian Cream Cheese Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

So, you’ve decided your life needs more gooey, cream-cheesy, tropical-sweet carb bombs. Excellent choice. It’s a mood. We’re not just making cinnamon rolls here; we’re making the kind of cinnamon rolls that wear a floral shirt and insist you relax. These are the Hawaiian vacation of pastries, and you don’t even need to find your passport.

Why This Recipe is Awesome

Look, most from-scratch cinnamon roll recipes involve a lot of waiting, worrying, and questioning your life choices when the dough doesn’t rise. This one? It’s shockingly forgiving. We’re leveraging the power of Hawaiian sweet rolls to create a shortcut so brilliant, you’ll feel like a kitchen hacker. The result is impossibly soft, pillowy rolls that are packed with flavor and slathered in a tangy cream cheese glaze. It’s idiot-proof, even I didn’t mess it up, and I’ve been known to confuse salt for sugar.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

Gather your squad. This is the crew that’s going to make brunch magic happen.

For the Rolls:

• 1 (12 count) package King’s Hawaiian Original Sweet Rolls (Don’t separate them! We’re keeping them connected.)
• ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened (Not melted! We’ll get to that.)
• ¾ cup packed brown sugar (The dark kind is best for that deep molasses vibe.)
• 1 ½ tablespoons ground cinnamon (Please, for the love of all that is good, make sure it’s fresh. The dusty jar from 2017 won’t cut it.)
• A pinch of salt (To make the sweet stuff even sweeter.)

For the Cream Cheese Glaze:

• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened (Take it out of the fridge an hour beforehand. Future you will thank past you.)
• ¼ cup (½ stick) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup powdered sugar (Also called confectioner’s sugar. Sift it if you hate lumps.)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (The real stuff. IMO, it makes a difference.)
• 1-2 tablespoons milk or heavy cream (To get it to that drizzling consistency.)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat and Prep. Fire up your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grab a 9×13 inch baking dish. You can grease it if you’re paranoid, but with all the butter we’re using, it’s probably fine.
2. Create the Cinnamon Filling. In a medium bowl, mash together the softened butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and pinch of salt until it forms a smooth, spreadable paste. Pro Tip: If your butter is too cold, you’ll have a crumbly mess. Too melted, and it’ll be soup. Softened is the key word here.
3. Assemble the Log. Take your entire sheet of connected Hawaiian sweet rolls and place it on a cutting board. Using a long serrated knife, carefully slice the entire slab in half horizontally, so you have a top and bottom “slab.” Think of it like you’re making a giant, roll-based sandwich.
4. Spread the Love. Spread the entire bowl of cinnamon butter goodness evenly over the bottom half of the rolls. Pop the top half back on, like a cozy blanket.
5. Slice and Bake. Now, slice between the rolls to separate them into 12 individual squares. Place them in your baking dish, side-by-side. They should be just touching. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and your kitchen smells like a bakery heaven.
6. Glaze While Hot. While the rolls are baking, make the glaze. Beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Beat in the powdered sugar and vanilla. Add milk, one tablespoon at a time, until it’s a thick but pourable glaze. As soon as the rolls come out of the oven, pour that glorious glaze all over them.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Using Cold Ingredients: Trying to mix cold cream cheese or butter for the glaze is a one-way ticket to Lumpyville. Seriously, let them sit out. Your biceps will thank you.
• Rushing the Spread: If your cinnamon butter is too stiff, you’ll tear the soft roll bottoms. If it’s melted, it’ll soak in and make a mess. Get it to that perfect, spreadable consistency.
• Overbaking: Thinking you don’t need to set a timer—rookie mistake. These are already cooked rolls! We’re just warming them through and toasting them up. Overbake them, and you’ll lose that legendary Hawaiian softness. Set a timer for 15 minutes and check.

Alternatives & Substitutions

• Dairy-Free? Use your favorite plant-based butter and cream cheese. The rolls themselves are dairy-free, FYI!
• No Heavy Cream? Any milk you have on hand will work for the glaze, from whole milk to almond milk. It just changes the richness a bit.
• Want More Stuff? Feel free to add a handful of chopped pecans or macadamia nuts to the cinnamon sugar filling for some crunch.
• Different Roll Vibe? While the Hawaiian rolls are the star, you can try this same method with another brand of soft, connected sweet rolls in a pinch. The results just won’t be quite as aloha.

FAQs

Can I make these the night before?

Absolutely! Assemble the rolls up to the point of baking, cover the dish tightly, and stash it in the fridge. The next morning, let them sit on the counter while the oven preheats, then bake as directed. You might need to add a minute or two to the bake time.

Can I use margarine instead of butter?

Well, technically yes, but why hurt your soul like that? The flavor of real butter in both the filling and the glaze is non-negotiable for maximum deliciousness.

My glaze is too thin/thick. Help!

Too thin? Add more powdered sugar, a tablespoon at a time. Too thick? Add more liquid (milk, cream) a teaspoon at a time. You can fix it!

Why not just use a tube of cinnamon rolls?

Because you have taste buds, my friend. This recipe is leagues above that in flavor and texture, with barely any more effort. Trust me on this one.

Can I freeze these?

You can freeze the baked, unglazed rolls. Let them cool completely, then freeze in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw and warm in the oven, then glaze ’em.

Final Thoughts

And there you have it. You’ve just created a platter of pure joy with a shockingly small amount of effort. These rolls are perfect for lazy weekend brunches, impressing house guests, or just treating yourself because it’s Tuesday. Now go impress someone—or yourself—with your new culinary skills. You’ve earned it, and you definitely deserve a roll (or three).