Hawaiian Roll Cinnamon Rolls are sweet, soft, gooey, and topped with an incredible cream cheese glaze. Ready in under 30 minutes!
author’s note
Gooey Cinnamon Rolls in Just 30 Minutes!
I first spotted a version of these Hawaiian Roll Cinnamon Rolls on social media and knew I had to try them. I made a few tweaks to make them extra gooey with more cinnamon-sugar, softened butter instead of melted, and a tangy cream cheese glaze instead of frosting.
My family devoured the first batch in record time, and now these are a weekend favorite whenever we want a fun breakfast without the hassle of yeast dough. The kids love pulling them apart piece by piece, and I love that I can get them on the table so quickly. I loved it so much I even immediately worked on a pumpkin version of these!
Hawaiian Roll Cinnamon Roll Ingredients
- Hawaiian sweet rolls: Choose a fresh pack for the best softness.
- Unsalted butter: Soften to room temperature for easy spreading; don’t melt.
- Light brown sugar: Fresh is best for soft sugar that mixes well with butter.
- Ground cinnamon: Customize the amount to personal preference.
- Cream cheese: Soften before use to ensure a smooth glaze.
- Powdered sugar: Add more for a thicker glaze.
- Milk: Adjust quantity for the glaze consistency you prefer.
- Vanilla extract: Use pure extract for better flavor.
- Salt: A pinch boosts sweetness and balances flavors.
How To Make Hawaiian Roll Cinnamon Rolls
- Prep oven & pan: Heat oven to 350°F and grease a baking dish.
- Mix filling: Stir softened butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
- Slice rolls: Halve rolls horizontally, spread filling, sandwich back together, spread more on top.
- Bake: 11–13 minutes until golden and gooey.
- Glaze: Beat cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk. Spread over warm rolls.
Recipe Tips
- Softened butter, not melted: Otherwise, it won’t spread well.
- Coat evenly: Apply butter mixture on all sides except the bottom of the rolls.
- Use fresh soft rolls: They’ll yield the best texture and flavor.
- Watch the baking time: Avoid over-baking.
- Glaze when slightly cooled: Spread on the glaze before the rolls are fully cooled. This helps the glaze stick well.
- Serve warm: For the best gooey cinnamon roll experience!
Storage
Leftover Hawaiian Roll Cinnamon Rolls?
These are best fresh, but if you’ve got leftovers…
- Refrigerate: Cool fully then store in an airtight container for up to a week.
- Reheat: Warm briefly in the microwave before serving.
More Cinnamon-Sugar Goodness:
Desserts
Cinnamon Roll Cupcakes
Desserts
Cinnamon Roll Popcorn
Desserts
Cinnamon Bread
Breakfast
Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread
Hawaiian Roll Cinnamon Rolls
Hawaiian Roll Cinnamon Rolls are soft, sweet, and irresistibly gooey, topped with a tasty cream cheese glaze. Ready in just 30 minutes!
Video
Equipment
Ingredients
Cinnamon Rolls
- 12-count package Hawaiian sweet dinner rolls
- 9 tablespoons unsalted butter divided, softened to room temp; do not melt!
- 2/3 cup light brown sugar soft, gently packed
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
Cream Cheese Glaze
- 2 ounces cream cheese softened, see note 1
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk I use whole milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
Instructions
Cinnamon Rolls
- Grease a 9×13-inch pan with cooking spray. Spread 1 tbsp softened butter on the base of the pan. (I like to put a small plastic bag on my hand like a mitt and spread). Preheat oven to 350°F. Bring butter to room temp (see note 2).
- In a medium bowl, combine 8 tbsp butter (that’s 1 stick), brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Beat with a hand mixer until you have a thick and smooth mixture.
- Slice the entire slab of rolls horizontally, keeping individual rolls connected. Place the bottom half in the prepared pan. Spread just under half the butter mixture evenly over it. Place the top half of the rolls on and spread the remaining butter mixture on the top and sides. (Cover all parts of rolls except the bottom.)
- Bake for 11–13 minutes or until the rolls are lightly golden on top. Prepare the glaze while baking.
Cream Cheese Glaze
- Beat the cream cheese and butter with a hand or stand mixer until smooth. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, milk, and salt; mix until smooth. Continue to beat until the frosting is light and fluffy.
- After removing the rolls from the oven, let them cool for a minute. Then spoon the frosting over them, ensuring it fills all crevices. Optionally apply a second layer of frosting once they cool a bit more. Enjoy!
Recipe Notes
Note 1: Use brick-style, full-fat cream cheese. Soften (unwrapped) in the microwave to avoid lumps in the glaze.
Note 2: Let the butter sit at room temperature for about an hour or microwave it in short bursts. To microwave, heat for 5 seconds, flip, another 5 seconds, flip again, and then a final 5 seconds if needed. Be careful not to melt it at all.
Storage: These are best fresh, but for leftovers, cool fully, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 268kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 43mg | Sodium: 136mg | Potassium: 33mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin A: 393IU | Vitamin C: 0.02mg | Calcium: 28mg | Iron: 0.2mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
OMG!! Chelsea to the RESCUE!! Thank you for this great recipe, the one I have been looking/waiting for… not with yeast, not with tube biscuits & NOT hand made.
So simple, good, fast & easy!! You should win a metal for this one!
I think it’s even better than Monkey bread! I know my husband & son will be asking for these often. I shop Aldi a lot now. Not a big store get what I need and get out. They have the Hawaiian dinner rolls (smaller pkg) and I can fit two packs in a 9×13 pan.
Yay! I am so thrilled to hear this! Thanks for your comment Lynn!
It took me a bit of time searching for thus recipe that had the measurements of the ingredients printed out in order to make the entire experience awesome. Thank you
Yay! So happy you found it and were able to enjoy! Thanks Michele!
These were delicious! I did double the amount of the brown sugar mix and the frosting.
And when they came out of the oven, all the mix was molten all around the rolls. I separated the rolls and spread them out a little. Then I spooned the molten mix on top of each one so it ran down the sides. This made the frosting drip down the sides as well. So messy, but SOOO good!
Thank you so much for this recipe. Quick and easy, and a total hit with the family.
Omg sounds like my kind of mess! If you don’t double it you shouldn’t have any problem with the mess again but honestly sounds worth it! Thanks for your comment Mike!
Thank you for this recipe! I love the idea of cinnamon rolls, but I don’t want to take the time to make them from scratch. This recipe is the best of both worlds. I can’t wait to try it this weekend!
Yay! So excited for you to try this! It’s so yummy!
Not sure I understand why you would spray you pan with cooking spray and then rub butter on top of that?
I do love your recipes! Haven’t made this one yet.
The spray keeps things from sticking, and the butter gives it that rich flavor on the base. You get the best of both — it won’t stick, and it tastes better!
Great idea..think I’ll try it with just a couple of rolls in a small pan!
I love how you can customize it! 🙂 Enjoy!
Shared with all my foodies. Thank
you Chelsea. It’s a winner.
Ahh I am so happy to hear this! Thanks so much Debbie! 🙂
I made these and liked them soooo much. Share
So thrilled to hear this!
These were delicious! My niece loves cinnamon rolls, so I made these as a treat for her. The entire family enjoyed them, and I plan to make them again and perhaps add nuts, apple pieces, or a caramel drizzle in lieu of the glaze icing. However, it’s so delicious as is that I may not change it at all. Thank you for the great recipe!
I am seriously so thrilled to hear this! Making cinnamon rolls like this has been a game changer for us! So glad you’re enjoying! 🙂