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These Hawaiian Cream Cheese Cinnamon Rolls will make your kitchen smell like a bakery from heaven. The King's Hawaiian rolls transform into something magical with their pillowy centers cradling rich cream cheese, all enveloped in a buttery cinnamon glaze. I stumbled upon this recipe during a rainy weekend experiment, and it's become our Sunday morning tradition ever since.
I remember serving these at my daughter's graduation brunch. The rolls disappeared so quickly that several guests left with the recipe written on napkins. When I mentioned using King's Hawaiian rolls as the base, there were gasps of delighted surprise.
Essential Ingredients Decoded
- King's Hawaiian Original Sweet Rolls: Their unique texture and subtle sweetness create the perfect foundation. Don't substitute regular dinner rolls
- Full-fat cream cheese: Brings that rich, tangy creaminess. It must be room temperature for the smoothest filling
- European-style butter: The higher fat content creates an irresistible glaze
- Fresh ground cinnamon: Its warm, spicy notes make the whole house smell amazing
- Dark brown sugar: Adds depth and a subtle molasses note
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Detailed Step-by-Step Magic
Prep With Care: Carefully hollow out each roll, creating perfect little vessels for the filling. Save those buttery centers for snacking - they're too good to waste! The key is leaving enough bread around the edges to hold everything together.
Create The Glaze: Melt butter until just liquid, then whisk in brown sugar and cinnamon until smooth. This mixture should be warm enough to spread easily but not hot enough to melt through the rolls. Brush it generously over and inside each roll cavity.
Perfect The Filling: Beat room temperature cream cheese until light and airy, about 3 minutes. Add sugar gradually, then the egg, mixing until silky smooth. The filling should be thick enough to hold its shape but still easily spoonable. A pinch of salt here enhances all the flavors.
Assembly Magic: Fill each hollowed roll with a generous portion of cream cheese mixture. Don't be shy - the filling bakes into a custardy dream. Some bakers in my family like to add a sprinkle of extra cinnamon sugar on top before baking.
Bake To Perfection: Watch them transform in a 375°F oven for about 15 minutes. You're looking for golden brown tops and slightly puffed centers. The filling should be set but still have a gentle jiggle.
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Make-Ahead Tips and Storage
These rolls welcome advance prep:
- Assemble completely the night before
- Cover tightly with foil and refrigerate
- Add 5 minutes to bake time when starting cold
- Leftovers keep 3 days refrigerated (if they last that long!)
Creative Variations I've Discovered
Through countless Sunday mornings of experimenting, I've found some winning twists:
- Add orange zest to the cream cheese filling
- Drizzle with maple glaze after baking
- Sprinkle chopped pecans before baking
- Swirl in berry preserves with the cream cheese
Serving Suggestions and Special Occasions
These rolls shine brightest at:
- Holiday breakfast gatherings
- Baby shower brunches
- Weekend family breakfasts
- Tea time treats
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The Secret to Perfect Results
Temperature control makes all the difference:
- Room temperature cream cheese for smooth filling
- Warm but not hot butter for the glaze
- Let rolls rest 10 minutes before serving
These rolls have become more than just a recipe in our house - they're part of our family story. My daughter now makes them for her college roommates, and my mother-in-law requests them every time she visits. There's something magical about how they bring people together around the breakfast table, creating memories one sweet, creamy bite at a time.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I make these ahead?
- Yes, prepare up to filling stage, then refrigerate overnight and bake fresh in morning.
- → How do I store leftovers?
- Keep in airtight container in fridge up to 2 days. Warm slightly before serving.
- → What berries work best?
- Strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries all work great. Add before baking.
- → Can I freeze these rolls?
- Not recommended as the cream cheese filling and bread texture may change when thawed.
- → Why aren't my rolls golden brown?
- Try brushing tops with extra melted butter before baking for better browning.