King’s Hawaiian Cinnamon Rolls

Sunday mornings in my house are all about indulgence—slow starts, warm coffee, and the irresistible aroma of something sweet baking in the oven. One weekend, I found myself craving cinnamon rolls but didn’t want to spend hours proofing dough.

That’s when I spotted a package of King’s Hawaiian Sweet Rolls on the counter. A lightbulb went off—what if I turned these fluffy, slightly sweet rolls into effortless cinnamon rolls?

It turned out to be one of the best baking experiments I’ve ever tried. The soft, pillowy texture of the Hawaiian rolls soaked up the buttery cinnamon sugar mixture beautifully, creating gooey, caramelized edges and a melt-in-your-mouth center. And the cream cheese icing? Absolute perfection.

With just a handful of ingredients and minimal effort, I had a batch of warm, bakery-style cinnamon rolls in under 30 minutes. If you love quick and easy treats with homemade flavor, this recipe will be a game-changer.

Short Description

These King’s Hawaiian Cinnamon Rolls transform soft, buttery sweet rolls into warm, gooey cinnamon rolls with a luscious cream cheese glaze. A simple, no-fuss recipe that delivers bakery-quality results in under 30 minutes!

Key Ingredients

• 1 package (12 oz) King’s Hawaiian Sweet Rolls
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Tools Needed

• 9×9-inch baking dish
• Small mixing bowls
• Whisk or spoon for mixing
• Pastry brush (optional)
• Spatula

Cooking Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Rolls

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×9-inch baking dish and place the King’s Hawaiian Sweet Rolls inside, keeping them arranged in a grid pattern. This setup helps them bake evenly and stay soft.

Step 2: Make the Cinnamon Butter

In a small bowl, combine melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Stir until fully blended.

Spoon or brush the mixture over the rolls, ensuring they are evenly coated. The sugar will caramelize in the oven, creating a rich, gooey topping.

Step 3: Bake the Rolls

Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the rolls turn golden brown and the cinnamon mixture is bubbling.

Keep an eye on them—Hawaiian rolls brown quickly due to their natural sweetness.

Step 4: Make the Cream Cheese Icing

While the rolls are baking, mix cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract in a small bowl until smooth and creamy. If the icing is too thick, add 1-2 teaspoons of milk for a thinner consistency.

Step 5: Glaze and Serve

Remove the rolls from the oven and immediately drizzle the cream cheese icing over the top while they’re still warm. This allows the icing to slightly melt into the rolls for a dreamy, gooey finish.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Quick & Easy: No kneading, rolling, or proofing dough. Just assemble and bake!

Irresistible Texture: Soft, buttery rolls with gooey cinnamon-sugar filling.

Minimal Ingredients: Uses pantry staples and King’s Hawaiian rolls as the base.

Perfect for Any Occasion: Ideal for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet snack.

Mistakes to Avoid & Solutions

Mistake 1: Overbaking

Solution: Hawaiian rolls brown quickly, so check at 15 minutes to avoid dry rolls.

Mistake 2: Uneven Coating of Cinnamon Mixture

Solution: Use a pastry brush or spoon to distribute the butter-sugar mixture evenly.

Mistake 3: Thick Icing That Won’t Spread

Solution: Add a splash of milk to thin out the icing for easy drizzling.

Serving and Pairing Suggestions

– Enjoy these cinnamon rolls with a hot cup of coffee or chai latte.
– Serve with a side of fresh fruit or Greek yogurt for a balanced breakfast.
– For extra indulgence, add a sprinkle of chopped pecans or a drizzle of caramel sauce on top.

Storage and Reheating Tips

Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days.

Reheating: Warm in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or in a 350°F oven for 5 minutes to refresh the texture.

FAQs

1. Can I use a different type of roll?
Yes! Brioche or dinner rolls work well, but King’s Hawaiian Rolls add a signature sweetness.

2. How can I make the icing thinner?
Add 1-2 teaspoons of milk until you reach the desired consistency.

3. Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes! Prepare the rolls and store them in the fridge overnight. Bake fresh the next morning.

4. What if I don’t have cream cheese?
Try a simple powdered sugar glaze with powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract.

5. Can I add nuts or raisins?
Absolutely! Chopped pecans, walnuts, or raisins make great additions.

Tips & Tricks

– For extra gooey rolls, double the butter-sugar mixture.
– Want crisper edges? Bake uncovered for the last 5 minutes.
– If making for a crowd, double the recipe and use a larger baking dish.

Recipe Variations

1. Pumpkin Spice Cinnamon Rolls

Add 1 teaspoon pumpkin spice to the cinnamon mixture.

Mix 2 tablespoons pumpkin purée into the icing.

2. Caramel Pecan Rolls

Swap brown sugar for caramel sauce in the filling.

Top with chopped toasted pecans.

3. Chocolate Chip Cinnamon Rolls

Sprinkle mini chocolate chips between the rolls before baking.

Drizzle with melted dark chocolate instead of icing.

Final Thoughts

These King’s Hawaiian Cinnamon Rolls have quickly become a favorite in my kitchen. They’re warm, gooey, and just the right balance of sweet and buttery. The way the cinnamon-sugar mixture caramelizes on top of the soft rolls is simply irresistible, and that creamy icing melting into every bite? Pure comfort.

They’re easy enough for a weekend treat yet special enough to impress guests. Give them a try—you might just find yourself making them more often than you planned!