Hawaiian Cream Cheese Rolls

Turn ordinary sweet rolls into an amazing breakfast treat with this clever shortcut. These Hawaiian bread cinnamon buns come packed with smooth cream cheese centers and warm cinnamon flavor. They're your perfect solution when you're craving homemade rolls but don't have much time – giving you fantastic taste without the fuss.

Last weekend, I brought these to our family get-together, and everyone thought I'd bought them from some fancy bakery downtown. The secret, I've found out, is getting that filling just right and watching them like a hawk while they're in the oven.

Key Components

• Kings Hawaiian Rolls: Their natural gentle sweetness makes the perfect base for these quick cinnamon roll wonders.
• Full-Fat Cream Cheese: You can't skip this if you want that decadent, silky smooth filling that makes these rolls special.
• European-Style Butter: Go with European butter since it's got more fat, which really boosts the flavor and makes everything taste richer.
• Dark Brown Sugar: Using dark brown sugar in your cinnamon mix adds a hint of molasses that makes the sweetness more interesting.
• Fresh Ground Cinnamon: The cinnamon quality makes all the difference. Try grinding whole sticks right before cooking to get the strongest smell and taste.

After testing this recipe many times, I've figured out two things that really matter: making sure everything's at room temp before you start, and being careful when you hollow out the rolls. Get these two things right, and you'll end up with amazing cinnamon rolls every time.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Get the Rolls Ready:

Start by taking each Hawaiian roll and carefully cutting a hole in the middle with a small sharp knife. Make sure to leave about half an inch of bread around the edges. Gently push down on the inside walls to make more room, but be careful not to tear them. Don't throw away the bread you removed – it makes great homemade breadcrumbs for another day.

2. Mix Up the Glaze:

Make your butter-cinnamon mix by slowly melting the butter on low heat so it doesn't separate. Once melted, add the dark brown sugar and freshly ground cinnamon, then stir well until everything's smooth with no sugar lumps left. The glaze should be warm enough to spread easily but not so hot that it'll melt your cream cheese filling on contact.

3. Make the Filling:

For the cream cheese filling, first beat the room-temp cream cheese by itself until it's completely smooth with no lumps – this is really important for good texture. Then add sugar and mix at medium speed until the mixture gets lighter in color and fluffy, which takes about 3 minutes. Finally, mix in one egg and a tiny pinch of salt, but only until they're just combined – don't overmix or you'll lose that fluffy texture. The finished filling should hold its shape when spooned.

4. Put Everything Together:

Now brush your cinnamon-butter glaze inside each hollowed roll and around the top edges too. Then carefully fill each roll about three-quarters full with the cream cheese mixture. Don't overfill them because the filling puffs up while baking. Arrange your filled rolls close together in a baking pan so they bake as one unit.

5. Baking Time:

Put the pan in the middle of your preheated oven for even heat. Start checking them after 12 minutes. You want the tops to turn a light golden color, not dark brown. When they're done, the cream cheese centers will still jiggle slightly when you move the pan – that's okay! They'll firm up properly as they cool down after baking.

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Tasty Combinations and Serving Ideas

Make these rolls look extra special by putting them on a wooden board or tiered stand. They taste best when they're still a bit warm. Try serving them with:

• Freshly Made Coffee or Espresso
• Rich Hot Chocolate topped with Cream
• Warm Berry Sauce
• Bacon Glazed with Maple
• Mixed Fresh Fruits
• Scoops of Vanilla Ice Cream for a Dessert Option

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Getting Temperatures Just Right

Getting temperatures right makes all the difference:

• Cream Cheese Needs Softening: You really need to let cream cheese sit out for about 2 hours to reach room temperature, or you'll get lumps.
• Warm But Not Hot Butter: When melting butter for the glaze, do it slowly so it's warm but not scorching when mixed with sugar.
• Rolls Should Be Room Temp: Let the hollowed rolls warm up to room temperature before baking for even cooking.
• Cooling Time Matters: Let them sit for 10 minutes after baking; the filling gets firmer as they cool down.
• Serving Temperature Options: Serve warm for best flavor, or if making ahead, let them come to room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.

Fun Flavor Twists

Try these tasty ways to change up your cinnamon rolls:

• Add Some Citrus: Mix in some orange or lemon zest to brighten up the filling.
• Go Nutty: Sprinkle some toasted, chopped pecans or almonds on top for crunch.
• Fruity Surprise: Mix a spoonful of raspberry or strawberry jam into the cream cheese for bursts of fruit flavor.
• Chocolate Version: Toss in some mini chocolate chips before baking if you love chocolate.
• Caramel Topping: Pour some salted caramel sauce over the rolls after baking for extra sweetness.
• Maple Nut Special: Switch the cinnamon glaze for maple syrup and top with chopped pecans.

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Prepare Parts Ahead of Time

Make your morning easier by doing some prep work the night before:

• Make Filling Early: Mix up the cream cheese filling the night before and store it in the fridge.
• Get Rolls Ready: Hollow out the rolls ahead of time and wrap them tightly to keep fresh.
• Prep Cinnamon Mix: Combine the brown sugar and cinnamon so it's ready to go.
• Let Things Warm Up: On baking day, take everything out to reach room temperature first.
• Bake Fresh: Put everything together and bake in the morning for that just-made taste.

This approach saves you time in the morning but still gives you that fresh-baked goodness without rushing around.

Keeping Them Fresh

• Counter: Eat them the day you make them for best taste
• Fridge: Keeps for 3 days in sealed container
• Freezer: Not a good idea, ruins the texture
• Warm single rolls for 15-20 seconds in microwave
• Try adding a bit of fresh glaze after warming if wanted

Over the years I've tweaked this recipe, I've come to see that the little details really do matter. What started as just a quick cooking hack has grown into something our family looks forward to on special mornings. There's something about the combo of fluffy Hawaiian bread, rich cream cheese, and warm cinnamon that brings people to the table smiling.

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Wrapping Up

These Kings Hawaiian Cream Cheese Cinnamon Rolls hit that sweet spot between easy cooking and the satisfaction of making something special. They show how thinking outside the box can lead to the tastiest treats. Whether you're new to baking or do it all the time, you'll get amazing results that'll have everyone asking for seconds. Just remember that the details count – from properly softened cream cheese to watching your baking time carefully. Have fun making them and enjoy the smiles they'll bring!

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I prep these in advance?

You can assemble them up to the baking step, keep them in the fridge overnight, and bake fresh the next day.

→ What if Hawaiian rolls aren't available?

You can use any soft dinner rolls, but the sweetness of Hawaiian rolls really stands out here.

→ Are additional toppings okay?

Absolutely! Fresh berries, nuts, or caramel sauce can add extra flavor.

→ How should I store extras?

Pop leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 days—just reheat before eating.

→ Is freezing an option?

Sure! Freeze rolls without frosting for up to a month. Let them thaw overnight before warming up.