Hawaiian Roll Cinnamon Rolls are a quick and easy shortcut recipe made with soft King’s Hawaiian rolls, buttery cinnamon sugar, and creamy frosting. They bake in about 15 minutes and are ready to serve in under 30 minutes, no yeast or rising required.
This is one of our favorite ways to make cinnamon rolls for holidays, weekend breakfasts, or when we need a sweet treat without spending hours in the kitchen.
When it comes to hosting family gatherings for the holidays or when my kids have friends over, these Hawaiian Roll Cinnamon Rolls are always requested. My love for Homemade Kings Hawaiian Rolls recipe, Sticky Buns and Easy Homemade Cinnamon Rolls runs deep, so I knew combining them would make the best dessert or Breakfast!
These cinnamon rolls are everything you love when making Hawaiian Roll Hamburger Sliders but in a sweet treat form!
Why You’ll Love Hawaiian Roll Cinnamon Rolls
All you need is 15 minutes of prep time and you have made delicious cinnamon rolls. There is no need for yeast or hours in the kitchen just a package of King’s Hawaiian Sweet Rolls and simple pantry ingredients and you have a fuss free breakfast!
These cinnamon rolls turn out with a soft texture, with a slight crisp edge but full of buttery, cinnamon sugar mixture that are perfect for holiday brunch, weekend breakfast or a delicious after dinner dessert or snack!
Recipe Snapshot
- Recipe: Hawaiian Roll Cinnamon Rolls
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Bake Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Serves: 12 rolls
- Shortcut Level: No yeast required
- Perfect For: Holiday brunch, weekend breakfast, last-minute guests
- Freezer Friendly: Yes
Ingredients
- King’s Hawaiian Rolls – Perfect base to these cinnamon rolls
- Butter – Make sure to start with softened butter
- Light Brown Sugar – Learn How to Make Brown Sugar
- Ground Cinnamon – Adds warm flavors
- Cream Cheese – Make sure it is softened at room temperature to easily mix together
- Powdered Sugar – Adds a hint of sweetness
- Milk – We used whole milk
- Vanilla Extract – Use pure vanilla extract
How to Make Hawaiian Roll Cinnamon Rolls
Step 1 – Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 2 – In a large bowl mix together the softened butter, brown sugar and ground cinnamon with a sturdy spoon or hand held mixer until combined.
Step 3 – Slice the Hawaiian Rolls in half lengthwise.
Step 4 – Place the bottom half of the rolls in the bottom of a 9 X 13-inch baking dish. Spread half of the butter mixture over the middle of the rolls in the pan.
Step 5 – Place the top half of the rolls on top of the cinnamon butter mixture.
Step 6 – Spread the remaining butter and cinnamon mixture on top of the rolls. Bake, uncovered, for 15 minutes until the rolls are hot and the butter mixture is bubbly on top.
Step 7 – While the rolls are baking, prepare the frosting. With a hand held mixer, combine the cream cheese, powdered sugar, milk and vanilla extract until combined with a smooth consistency in a small bowl.
Step 8 – Spread the cream cheese frosting on top of the rolls while they are still warm to allow the heat from the rolls to melt the frosting slightly and allow the frosting to drizzle down the side of the rolls.
Step 9 – Serve immediately while warm and enjoy!
Recipe Tips & Variations
- Softened Butter – Make sure that the butter has softened before mixing it with the brown sugar and cinnamon. If the butter is too firm, heat it in the microwave for a few seconds to soften it some before mixing with the other ingredients.
- Add Nuts – If you love nuts on your cinnamon, add ½ cup of chopped pecans or walnuts to the top for a nutty twist.
- Fall Spice – Add ¼ tsp of nutmeg, pumpkin pie spice or apple pie spice and a pinch of cloves to the cinnamon mixture for delicious flavor flavor.
- Caramel Sauce – Swap cream cheese glaze for warm salted caramel sauce for an extra-decadent twist.
Serving Ideas
These Hawaiian Cinnamon Rolls pair perfectly with a side of Air Fryer Bacon and scrambled eggs. Add a side of Berry Fruit Salad Recipe or Fruit and Yogurt Parfait for a complete breakfast.
You can even serve the warm rolls topped with melted butter and a hot coffee. Which is my personal favorite.
How to Store and Reheat Hawaiian Roll Cinnamon Rolls
- Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Freeze baked rolls (without frosting for best texture) tightly wrapped for up to 3 months.
- Reheating: Warm individual rolls in the microwave for 15–20 seconds or reheat in a 300°F oven until warmed through. If reheating from frozen, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before warming.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can assemble the cinnamon rolls the night before and store in the fridge. When it is time to bake, add an extra 5 minutes to baking time if baking straight from the fridge.
Bake uncovered until the butter mixture is bubbly and lightly golden. Avoid over-spreading the butter mixture between layers.
Yes, but King’s Hawaiian rolls provide the soft texture and slight sweetness that works best for this recipe.
Hawaiian Roll Cinnamon Rolls
Ingredients
- 1 pkg King’s Hawaiian Rolls 12 count
- ½ cup Butter softened
- ½ cup Brown Sugar
- 2 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
For the Frosting:
- 4 ounces Cream Cheese softened
- 1 cup Powdered Sugar
- 2 Tablespoons Milk
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
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Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine ½ cup softened butter, ½ cup brown sugar, and 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon. Mix with a sturdy spoon or hand mixer until the ingredients are well combined.
- Slice 1 package (12-count) King’s Hawaiian rolls in half lengthwise, keeping the rolls connected.
- Place the bottom half of the Hawaiian rolls in the bottom of a 9X13 baking dish.
- Spread half of the butter mixture over the bottom half of the Hawaiian rolls in the pan.
- Place the top portion of the Hawaiian rolls on top of the butter and sugar mixture.
- Spread the remaining butter and cinnamon mixture on top of the rolls.
- Bake, uncovered, for 15 minutes until the rolls are hot and the butter mixture is bubbly on top.
- While the rolls are baking, prepare the frosting.
- In a small bowl, use a hand mixer to combine 4 ounces softened cream cheese, 1 cup powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons milk, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until smooth.
- Spread the frosting on top of the rolls while they are still warm to allow the heat from the rolls to melt the frosting slightly and allow the frosting to drizzle down the side of the rolls.
- Serve immediately while warm and enjoy!
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
Nutrition Facts
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If you make these Hawaiian Roll Cinnamon Rolls, we’d love for you to come back and leave a star review and let us know how they turned out! Your feedback not only means so much to us, but it also helps other families decide if this recipe is right for them. If you tried a variation or served them for a special occasion, share that too, we always enjoy hearing how these recipes show up in your kitchen.
Loved these cinnamon rolls! Loved using Hawaiian Rolls to make my family’s favorite breakfast!
Tried it this am. Wonderful
I’m so glad Dolores. Thanks for letting us know.