Description
These Hawaiian Cheesecake Danish Rolls are a delightful treat featuring soft Hawaiian dinner rolls filled with a creamy, sweetened cream cheese mixture, brushed with a cinnamon-brown sugar butter glaze, and baked to golden perfection. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a special dessert, these rolls combine the richness of cheesecake with the comforting softness of Hawaiian rolls for a deliciously indulgent snack.
Ingredients
Rolls and Filling
- 12 Hawaiian dinner rolls
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons sugar
Butter Glaze
- 1 stick butter (1/2 cup)
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius) to prepare for baking the rolls.
- Prepare Cheesecake Filling: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, egg, vanilla extract, and sugar together until the mixture is smooth, creamy, and well blended. Set this filling aside for later use.
- Melt Butter: Melt the stick of butter in a small bowl, then reserve 1 tablespoon of it for brushing the baking sheet or pan.
- Prepare Baking Pan: Use the reserved tablespoon of melted butter to brush evenly over the bottom and sides of a 9" x 13" baking dish to prevent sticking and add flavor.
- Make Cinnamon Butter Mixture: To the remaining melted butter, add the brown sugar and ground cinnamon, then mix well to combine. Set this cinnamon-butter mixture aside.
- Prep Rolls: Take each Hawaiian roll and cut a square into the center, careful not to cut all the way through the bottom. Gently remove the center portion from each roll, then use your thumb to press and create a cavity inside the roll where the cream cheese filling will be added.
- Brush Rolls: Generously brush the outside, inside, and tops of each roll with the cinnamon-butter mixture. If there is any leftover cinnamon-butter, pour it over the rolls to maximize flavor.
- Fill Rolls: Spoon the cream cheese mixture into a plastic piping bag or zip-top bag with a corner cut off. Pipe the filling into each roll’s cavity, filling right to the top as the filling will settle during baking.
- Bake: Place the filled rolls in the prepared baking dish and bake them in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the tops are lightly golden brown and the filling has set.
- Serve Warm: Remove from the oven and serve the rolls warm for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Do not cut all the way through the bottom of the rolls to keep the cream cheese filling contained.
- Filling the rolls fully is important as the cream cheese filling settles during baking.
- Serve these rolls warm to enjoy the creamy filling and soft texture at their best.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container and reheat gently before serving.