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A hand holding a piece of cinnamon roll topped with creamy white icing, showing the swirled layers of cinnamon and sugar inside.
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HAWAIIAN ROLL CINNAMON ROLLS

Soft, gooey Hawaiian roll cinnamon rolls with caramelized brown sugar filling and creamy frosting. Easy, bakery-style rolls made in minutes.
Prep Time7 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Resting Time10 minutes
Total Time37 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Baking
Keyword: best dessert, easy cinnamon rolls, easy dessert, hawiaan roll cinnanon rolls
Servings: 12 rolls
Author: Melissa Johnson
Cost: 13

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup brown sugar
  • 2 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 9 tbsp softened butter, divided
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • one 12 count package Hawaiian rolls
  • 4 oz cream cheese softened for cream cheese frosting
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract for cream cheese frosting
  • 1 cup powdered sugar for cream cheese frosting

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Slice the rolls in half horizontally, keeping the tops and bottoms intact, then place the bottom half in a greased 9x13 baking dish.
    A person with light pink nail polish slices a sheet of soft dinner rolls on a wooden cutting board using a blue-handled knife. Bowls with ingredients are visible nearby.
  •  In a medium bowl, use a hand mixer to combine the brown sugar, cinnamon, 8 tablespoons butter, 1/8 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and heavy cream (It's ok if the mixture is a little lumpy as all the ingredients will melt together when baked). Be carful not to overmix as the whipping cream can curdle and become grainy.
    A person uses a yellow electric hand mixer to blend a light brown batter in a glass bowl, which is resting on a striped cloth. A metal spoon sits nearby on the surface.
  • Spread 3/4 of the butter mixture on top of the bottom half of the Hawaiian rolls.
    A person spreads a brown, crumbly mixture onto a rectangular layer of cake in a metal baking pan using a spatula. The persons hands are visible, and the cake is on a wooden board.
  • Replace the top half and spread the remaining mixture on top.  
    A person spreads a brown, crumbly mixture over a layer of bread rolls in a baking pan using a spatula. Bowls with ingredients and kitchen tools are visible on the counter nearby.
  • Bake for 18-20 minutes.
  • Make your cream cheese frosting.
    While the rolls are baking, beat the remaining tablespoon of butter, cream cheese, and teaspoon of vanilla with a hand mixer until combined.
    Gradually add the powdered sugar and beat until the mixture is uniform and smooth.
    A person uses a yellow hand mixer to blend ingredients, including flour, in a glass bowl on a blue-striped cloth and wooden tray.
  • Let the Hawaiian Roll Cinnamon Rolls cool slightly for about 10 minutes, before icing.
  • Spread the cream cheese icing over the cinnamon rolls.
    A rectangular baked cake in a gray pan, topped with a smooth layer of white icing. The pan sits on a wooden surface.
  • Best if served while still warm.

Notes

1. When the rolls are first pulled out of the oven, the sugar in the butter mixture tends to melt, caramelize, and spread out around the rolls.
Use a spatula to press the caramelized mixture back up into the rolls. This creates a nice, crunchy, candy-like edge to the cinnamon rolls. 
2. If there is too much excess grease around the rolls, blot and soak it up with napkins or paper towels.