These King’s Hawaiian Cinnamon Rolls are made with the Original King’s Hawaiian Sweet Rolls stuffed with a sugary cinnamon filling and slathered with a homemade cream cheese frosting. A fun play on the classic cinnamon roll but without the hassle of a dough!
There are two types of people in the world: those who can pass up a cinnamon roll and those who know better. If you’re anything like me and my family, sweet, warm, cinnamon-swirled carbs don’t stand a chance in your kitchen. Lately, I’ve been seeing King’s Hawaiian Cinnamon Rolls everywhere, on TikTok, Instagram, Pinterest – you name it.
Apparently, the internet has fallen in love with the genius idea of turning soft, slightly sweet Hawaiian rolls into the most delicious pull-apart cinnamon rolls. And honestly, I couldn’t resist jumping on the trend. I had to see what all the fuss was about, and let me just say, the hype is 100% real.
They start with those irresistibly soft and slightly sweet King’s Hawaiian rolls and are drenched in buttery cinnamon sugar filling, then smothered with a rich cream cheese frosting. Yes, it’s as good as it sounds. These delicious treats are going to become a weekend staple and a permanent holiday breakfast choice.
*Be sure to check out another one of our favorite “semi-homemade” breakfast recipes – this cinnamon apple monkey bread!
Ingredients for Hawaiian Roll Cinnamon Rolls
- 12-pack King’s Hawaiian Rolls – These slightly sweet rolls are the perfect base. They’re soft, fluffy, and soak up all that buttery cinnamon filling like a dream.
- ½ cup butter, melted – Butter makes everything better, especially when it’s melted and mixed with cinnamon and sugar.
- ¾ cup brown sugar – Adds that deep molasses flavor that makes cinnamon rolls irresistible.
- 1 Tbsp ground cinnamon – Warm and comforting, the star spice of the show, in my opinion.
Cream Cheese Frosting Ingredients
- ¼ cup butter, softened – Softened butter blends smoothly with the cream cheese for a velvety texture.
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened – Tangy and creamy, this balances the sweetness perfectly.
- 2 cups powdered sugar – Gives the frosting its structure and classic sweetness.
- 1-2 Tbsp milk – Use just enough to get the frosting to your desired consistency.
How to Make The Viral King’s Hawaiian Cinnamon Rolls
These viral King’s Hawaiian cinnamon rolls are surprisingly easy to make, even my kids love jumping in to help spread the cinnamon filling and sneak a few tastes along the way! The full step-by-step directions are down below, and you’ll also find a handy printable recipe card at the end of this post. Let’s roll, haha, get it?
Step 1: Prep the rolls and filling- Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon until smooth and thick. This is your rich, gooey filling.
Next, take your 12-pack of Hawaiian rolls and carefully slice them in half horizontally, keeping them all together in one connected loaf. Place the bottom half in a 9×13 baking dish or on a parchment-lined sheet pan.
Step 2: Add layers of cinnamon magic- Spread half of your buttery cinnamon mixture evenly over the bottom layer of the rolls. Place the top half of the rolls back on like a lid, and then spread the rest of the cinnamon mixture over the top. Don’t be afraid to go edge to edge; you want that sticky goodness in every bite.
Step 3: Bake until golden and delicious- Pop the rolls in the oven and bake for 18–20 minutes, or until the tops are golden and the sugar is bubbly around the edges. Your kitchen will smell like a cinnamon-scented dream at this point. Try not to dive in too early, it won’t be easy!
Step 4: Whip up the cream cheese frosting- While the rolls are cooling for a few minutes, mix up your frosting. In a bowl, beat together the softened butter and cream cheese until smooth. Add in the powdered sugar a little at a time, then add just enough milk to get it to the creamy, spreadable texture you like.
Step 5: Frost, serve, and savor- Spread the frosting generously over the warm rolls. Let it melt into the cracks and drizzle over the sides—there’s no such thing as too much here. Then, slice, serve, and enjoy the sticky-fingered happiness that follows.
Recipe Tips
- Use a serrated knife to slice the Hawaiian rolls in half evenly without squishing them. A bread knife works wonders!
- Don’t skip the cooling time before adding the frosting, unless you want your icing to slide right off and puddle in the pan.
- Add a sprinkle of chopped pecans or walnuts between the layers if your crew loves a little crunch.
- Adjust the frosting consistency by adding milk a tablespoon at a time, more milk for a drizzle, less for a thick spread.
- Line your baking pan with parchment paper for easy cleanup (especially helpful when the cinnamon goo starts bubbling).
- Make them ahead of time! Assemble the night before and bake fresh in the morning for a warm, cinnamon-scented wake-up.
- Double the frosting if you’re a “more is more” kind of family when it comes to cream cheese icing.
These King’s Hawaiian Cinnamon Rolls are proof that you don’t need a fancy dough or hours of rising time to create a breakfast that feels special. They’re perfect for Christmas morning, Sunday brunch, or just because, it’s cinnamon rolls, after all.
Let me know if you try them! Tag me on Instagram or share your delicious masterpiece with a friend who could use some ooey-gooey goodness in their life.
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King’s Hawaiian Cinnamon Rolls
Ingredients
- 12 pack Original King's Hawaiian Sweet Rolls
- ½ cup butter (melted)
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
For the Cream Cheese Icing:
- ¼ cup butter (softened)
- 4 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1-2 tablespoon of milk (depending how thin/thick you want the frosting to be)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350℉.
- In a bowl, mix together the melted butter, brown sugar and cinnamon until you have a smooth texture. Set aside for now.
- Take the King's Hawaiian Rolls out of the packaging and slice the entire loaf horizontally. Place the bottom half of the rolls on a baking sheet, or in a 9×13 baking pan.
- Spread half of the cinnamon filling over the bottom half of the rolls.
- Place the 2nd half of the rolls on top, then spread the remaining cinnamon filling over the top.
- Bake for approximately 18-20 minutes, or until golden brown and gooey. Then, carefully remove from the oven and let cool slightly.
- While the cinnamon rolls are cooling, mix together the ingredients for the cream cheese frosting.
- Spread the frosting over the top and sides of the cinnamon rolls. Enjoy!
Nutrition
The nutrition facts provided are calculated using a third-party tool and are estimates only. Actual nutritional content may vary based on the ingredients and brands you use, as well as portion sizes. For accurate results, please consult a registered dietitian or nutritionist.
