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Hawaiian Roll Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Icing Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 3.8 from 7 reviews
  • Author: Evelyn
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 12 servings
  • Category: Breakfast
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Description

Delightfully soft and sweet Hawaiian Roll Cinnamon Rolls topped with a creamy vanilla cream cheese icing. This easy-to-make recipe uses a convenient package of Hawaiian rolls transformed into a gooey, cinnamon-sugar treat perfect for breakfast or dessert, baked to golden perfection in just 35 minutes.


Ingredients

Rolls

  • 12 count Hawaiian Rolls (12 ounce package)
  • 10 tablespoons butter (divided)
  • ⅔ cup light brown sugar (packed)
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Cream Cheese Icing

  • 4 ounces cream cheese (room temperature)
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ cup whole milk


Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure it’s at the perfect temperature for baking the cinnamon rolls.
  2. Prepare Rolls: Using a serrated knife, carefully slice the entire package of Hawaiian rolls horizontally in half without separating the individual rolls, so you end up with a whole top half and a whole bottom half.
  3. Melt Butter in Pan: Place 2 tablespoons of butter in a 9×13-inch baking dish and put it in the oven until the butter is fully melted and bubbling.
  4. Assemble Bottom Layer: Remove the baking dish from the oven and place the bottom half of the Hawaiian rolls evenly in the dish over the melted butter.
  5. Melt Butter for Cinnamon Sugar: In a small microwave-safe bowl, melt 8 tablespoons of butter by heating in 30-second intervals until fully melted.
  6. Make Cinnamon Sugar Mixture: Stir the light brown sugar and ground cinnamon into the melted butter until smooth and well combined.
  7. Spread Mixture on Bottom Rolls: Evenly spread half of the cinnamon sugar butter mixture onto the bottom half of the rolls in the pan.
  8. Add Top Rolls: Place the whole top half of the Hawaiian rolls over the cinnamon-sugar coated bottom layer.
  9. Top with Remaining Mixture: Pour and spread the remaining cinnamon sugar butter mixture evenly over the top of the rolls.
  10. Bake Rolls: Place the assembled rolls in the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes until golden and bubbly.
  11. Prepare Cream Cheese Icing: In a small microwave-safe bowl, melt 2 tablespoons of butter using 30-second intervals until melted. Then, add cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and whole milk, whisking until the icing is smooth and creamy.
  12. Cool Rolls: Remove the cinnamon rolls from the oven and allow them to cool in the pan for 10 minutes.
  13. Ice the Rolls: Once slightly cooled, pour the cream cheese icing evenly over the top of the rolls and spread to cover.
  14. Serve: Slice the rolls and serve warm for the best gooey, indulgent experience.

Notes

  • Make sure the cream cheese is at room temperature before making the icing to ensure smooth mixing.
  • You can substitute whole milk with 2% or almond milk if preferred.
  • For extra gooeyness, drizzle any leftover cinnamon sugar butter mixture on top before icing.
  • Store leftover cinnamon rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
  • Reheat gently in the microwave for 15-20 seconds to enjoy warm rolls later.