Perfect Hawaiian Roll Cinnamon Rolls: Bakery-Style Secret Recipe
Hawaiian roll cinnamon rolls transform ordinary sweet bread into a bakery-worthy treat without any complicated dough-making process. I discovered this game-changing recipe that takes only 15 minutes to prep and 20 minutes to cook, making it perfect for those mornings when you crave something special but don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen.
These cream cheese filled cinnamon rolls certainly deliver that cozy, nostalgic feeling we all love, while being surprisingly simple to create. Using a package of 12 King’s Hawaiian original sweet rolls as the base, we can craft hawaiian sweet roll cinnamon rolls that feature a rich cream cheese filling and delicious cinnamon butter topping. Additionally, hawaiian bread cinnamon rolls require no rolling pin or mixer—just a few straightforward steps to achieve that golden brown exterior with a gooey, indulgent center. At approximately 350 calories per serving, these hawaiian roll cream cheese cinnamon rolls are definitely worth the splurge for special breakfasts or brunches.
Choosing the Right Hawaiian Rolls
The foundation of perfect hawaiian roll cinnamon rolls begins with selecting the right rolls. The right choice makes all the difference between ordinary breakfast pastries and those bakery-quality treats that make your family beg for seconds.
Why King’s Hawaiian rolls work best
King’s Hawaiian Original Sweet Rolls are truly the heart and soul of this recipe. Their slightly sweet flavor and exceptionally soft texture create the ideal foundation for transforming simple rolls into decadent cinnamon treats. These pillowy rolls lend themselves beautifully to both sweet and savory recipes, making them incredibly versatile kitchen staples.
What makes these rolls particularly special for hawaiian sweet roll cinnamon rolls is their unique texture—they’re consistently light and fluffy, giving you that perfect pull-apart quality that’s essential for cream cheese filled cinnamon rolls. Furthermore, using these pre-made rolls means zero dough drama. Rather than spending hours making dough from scratch, you’re essentially starting halfway to delicious cinnamon rolls.
The subtle sweetness in King’s Hawaiian rolls provides the perfect canvas for the additional flavors we’ll be adding. They bring a touch of tropical warmth to the classic cinnamon roll experience. In fact, many home bakers report that their families prefer these hawaiian bread cinnamon rolls to any bakery or restaurant versions.
Alternatives if you can’t find them
If King’s Hawaiian rolls aren’t available in your area, don’t worry—several alternatives can work nearly as well for hawaiian roll cream cheese cinnamon rolls:
- Walmart’s own brand of Hawaiian rolls offers a comparable taste and texture at a potentially lower price point
- Aldi carries their version of Hawaiian rolls that work beautifully in this recipe
- Pan de sal from Filipino bakeries or Asian grocery stores provides a similar sweet roll experience, typically costing around $3 for a dozen
- Costco offers excellent value with multi-packs (approximately three packs for $5-6)
For those who prefer hamburger-style rolls, notably, some stores now carry Hawaiian hamburger buns that can be adapted for larger, flatter hawaiian cinnamon rolls.
In the absence of any Hawaiian-style rolls, you might consider brown-and-serve rolls from your grocery store’s bakery section. These won’t have quite the same sweetness, so you might want to increase your brown sugar slightly to compensate for this difference.
The key is finding rolls with that perfect balance of sweetness and pillowy texture that makes hawaiian roll cinnamon rolls so irresistible.
Ingredients and Prep Essentials
Creating bakery-quality hawaiian roll cinnamon rolls requires just a handful of simple ingredients you likely already have in your pantry. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and the magic that happens when these basic components come together.
Main ingredients for the rolls
The star of our hawaiian bread cinnamon rolls is, of course, a 12-count package of King’s Hawaiian original sweet rolls. These provide the perfect base due to their inherent sweetness and pillowy texture. You’ll also need salted butter at room temperature, which helps cut the sweetness slightly. If you only have unsalted butter, simply add a pinch of salt to achieve the same balance.
Cream cheese filling components
For truly indulgent cream cheese filled cinnamon rolls, you’ll need 8 ounces of softened cream cheese. Some variations include mixing the cream cheese with 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar and an egg for a richer filling. This combination creates that tangy, creamy center that makes hawaiian roll cream cheese cinnamon rolls so irresistible.
Cinnamon butter topping
The magical cinnamon butter mixture requires ½ cup (1 stick) of salted butter at room temperature, ½ cup packed brown sugar, and 1-2 tablespoons of ground cinnamon depending on your preference for spice intensity. Moreover, adding ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract enhances the aromatic qualities. This mixture should be stirred until smooth and spreadable, creating that signature caramelized topping.
Optional glaze or frosting
First, a classic cream cheese frosting combines 2-4 ounces of softened cream cheese, 2 tablespoons of softened butter, powdered sugar (1-2 cups), and vanilla extract. Subsequently, for a lighter option, mix 2 cups of powdered sugar with ¼ cup milk or heavy cream and ½ teaspoon vanilla extract. Alternatively, for those who prefer a simpler finish, a basic glaze of powdered sugar and water provides a sweet finishing touch without overwhelming the rolls.
All ingredients should be at room temperature before mixing to ensure smooth, lump-free consistencies in your hawaiian sweet roll cinnamon rolls. The beauty of this recipe is its flexibility—you can adjust ingredient quantities based on your preference for sweetness or spice.
Step-by-Step: Making Hawaiian Roll Cinnamon Rolls
Let’s roll up our sleeves and dive into the magical process of transforming ordinary Hawaiian rolls into extraordinary cinnamon treats. With just a few simple steps, we’ll create hawaiian roll cinnamon rolls that rival any bakery’s finest offerings.
1. Preheat and prep the baking dish
First of all, preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) to ensure it reaches the perfect temperature by the time our rolls are ready to bake. Meanwhile, prepare your baking dish by lightly brushing it with melted butter to prevent sticking. You can use a 9×9 square pan or a 9×13 rectangular dish, depending on how snugly you want your hawaiian sweet roll cinnamon rolls to fit together.
2. Slice and fill the rolls
Next, take your package of Hawaiian rolls and, without separating them, slice horizontally through the middle to create two connected halves—think of it as creating a giant sandwich. Be careful to keep both halves intact as one piece. Place the bottom half in your prepared baking dish. In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, white sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Brush most of your melted butter generously over both cut surfaces, then sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly across both buttered halves.
3. Add cinnamon butter topping
Once both halves are properly coated, place the top half back onto the bottom half, gently pressing them together. Brush the remaining butter over the tops of your hawaiian bread cinnamon rolls and sprinkle with the last tablespoon of cinnamon sugar. This creates that irresistible caramelized exterior that makes cream cheese filled cinnamon rolls so appealing.
4. Bake to golden perfection
Cover your dish with aluminum foil and bake for approximately 15 minutes. Afterwards, remove the foil and continue baking for another 5-10 minutes until the tops are beautifully golden and caramelized. The filling should be bubbling slightly at the edges—a sure sign that your hawaiian roll cream cheese cinnamon rolls are reaching perfection.
5. Add glaze or frosting (optional)
Finally, while the rolls are baking, prepare your glaze by whisking together confectioners’ sugar, vanilla extract, and just enough milk to create a smooth, pourable consistency. To transform these into truly decadent hawaiian cinnamon rolls, drizzle this sweet vanilla icing over the warm rolls immediately after removing them from the oven. The heat will help the glaze melt slightly into the crevices for maximum flavor impact.
Tips, Variations, and Storage
These versatile hawaiian roll cinnamon rolls shine at festive holiday mornings or as centerpieces for brunch gatherings. The aroma of warm cinnamon and sweet cream cheese creates an inviting atmosphere for any occasion.
Make-ahead and freezing tips
Hawaiian roll cinnamon rolls can be prepared ahead of time to simplify your morning routine. For overnight preparation, make the rolls up until baking, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate. Remove them from the refrigerator about 1-2 hours before baking to allow them to reach room temperature.
For longer storage, you can freeze these treats two ways. First, freeze fully baked rolls by wrapping them tightly in aluminum foil. Alternatively, par-bake the rolls for about 15 minutes until they’ve risen but haven’t browned, then cool completely before wrapping and freezing. Par-baked rolls stay fresh in the freezer for up to 2 weeks.
Flavor variations (nuts, fruit, chocolate)
Customizing your hawaiian sweet roll cinnamon rolls is half the fun! Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the cinnamon filling for delightful crunch. For seasonal twists, substitute apple pie spice or pumpkin pie spice instead of plain cinnamon.
Other tasty additions include:
- Chopped apples or fresh berries mixed into the filling
- Chocolate chips sprinkled throughout
- Peanut butter layer before adding the cinnamon-sugar mixture
How to store and reheat leftovers
Properly stored hawaiian bread cinnamon rolls stay fresh at room temperature for 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week. The key is keeping them in an airtight container or wrapped tightly with plastic wrap.
To reheat a full pan, cover with foil and warm in a 300°F oven for 10-15 minutes. For individual rolls, microwave for 30 seconds with a damp paper towel covering them to retain moisture.
Common mistakes to avoid
Even the simplest recipes have potential pitfalls. Don’t rush the rising process—this leads to dry, dense rolls. Avoid overfilling your hawaiian roll cream cheese cinnamon rolls, as leaking butter and sugar can burn.
When making hawaiian cinnamon rolls, ensure they have adequate space to expand during baking. Moreover, proper storage prevents dreaded staleness—keep unfrosted rolls at room temperature and frosted ones in the refrigerator.
Conclusion
Hawaiian roll cinnamon rolls certainly deserve a place in your breakfast and brunch rotation. Throughout this article, I’ve shared how these simple yet impressive treats transform ordinary sweet bread into something truly special. The beauty of this recipe lies primarily in its accessibility—anyone can create bakery-quality cinnamon rolls without the fuss of traditional dough-making.
Most importantly, these cream cheese filled cinnamon rolls deliver that perfect balance of convenience and indulgence. You’ll spend just 15 minutes on prep and 20 minutes on baking, yet the results rival professional bakeries. King’s Hawaiian rolls provide that ideal sweet, fluffy foundation, though alternatives exist if you can’t find them nearby.
The versatility of hawaiian bread cinnamon rolls makes them perfect for both everyday mornings and special occasions. Feel free to customize them with nuts, chocolate, or seasonal spices to suit your family’s preferences. Additionally, the make-ahead options allow you to prepare them the night before big gatherings or freeze them for future lazy weekend breakfasts.
After trying this recipe once, you’ll undoubtedly add it to your collection of go-to treats. Guests will ask for your secret, never suspecting how effortlessly these came together. Therefore, next time you crave something sweet and comforting but lack baking time, remember this shortcut to cinnamon roll heaven. Fifteen minutes of prep yields hours of enjoyment—a worthwhile trade for any busy household!
FAQs
Q1. How long does it take to make Hawaiian Roll Cinnamon Rolls? These delicious treats take only about 35 minutes total – 15 minutes for preparation and 20 minutes for baking. It’s a quick and easy way to enjoy bakery-style cinnamon rolls at home.
Q2. Can I make these cinnamon rolls ahead of time? Yes, you can prepare the rolls the night before and refrigerate them. Just remove them from the fridge 1-2 hours before baking to allow them to reach room temperature. You can also freeze them either fully baked or par-baked for longer storage.
Q3. What if I can’t find King’s Hawaiian rolls? While King’s Hawaiian rolls work best, you can use alternatives like Walmart’s or Aldi’s versions of Hawaiian rolls. In a pinch, you could even use brown-and-serve rolls from your grocery store’s bakery section, though you might want to increase the brown sugar to compensate for the reduced sweetness.
Q4. How can I customize these cinnamon rolls? You can add chopped nuts, fresh fruits, or chocolate chips to the filling for variety. You could also experiment with different spices like apple pie spice or pumpkin pie spice instead of cinnamon for seasonal twists.
Q5. How should I store and reheat leftover cinnamon rolls? Store unfrosted rolls at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 2 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week if frosted. To reheat, cover with foil and warm in a 300°F oven for 10-15 minutes, or microwave individual rolls for 30 seconds covered with a damp paper towel.