These Hawaiian Roll Cream Cheese Danishes are an easy shortcut to bakery-style pastries using soft, sweet Hawaiian rolls instead of traditional Danish pastry dough. Each roll is filled with a rich, creamy cheesecake-style filling, baked until golden, then finished with a smooth vanilla glaze and powdered sugar.
If you love easy dessert recipes, cream cheese pastries, or quick homemade breakfast treats, this viral-inspired recipe is one to keep on repeat. It requires only a handful of simple ingredients and takes about 30 minutes from start to finish.
Recipe Overview
| Category | Details |
| Prep Time | 15 minutes |
| Cook Time | 12–15 minutes |
| Total Time | About 30 minutes |
| Servings | 12 Danishes |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Cuisine | American-inspired |
| Course | Breakfast / Dessert |
| Main Ingredient | Hawaiian sweet rolls |
| Filling | Cream cheese cheesecake filling |
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy: No homemade pastry dough is required.
- Bakery-style flavor: Sweet rolls and creamy cheesecake filling create a delicious combination.
- Budget-friendly dessert: Uses simple supermarket ingredients.
- Perfect for breakfast: Serve them warm with coffee or tea.
- Great for entertaining: Twelve individual Danishes make an easy party or brunch dessert.
- Customizable: Add berries, cinnamon, fruit preserves, or different glazes.
- Creamy and delicious: The soft cream cheese center contrasts beautifully with the lightly crisp, golden edges.
Ingredients
Hawaiian Roll Base
| Ingredient | Amount |
| King’s Hawaiian Sweet Rolls | 1 pack (12 rolls) |
Cream Cheese Filling
| Ingredient | Amount |
| Cream cheese, softened | 8 oz (225 g) |
| Granulated sugar | 1/4 cup |
| Large egg yolk | 1 |
| Vanilla extract | 1 teaspoon |
| Lemon juice | 1 tablespoon, optional |
Egg Wash & Topping
| Ingredient | Amount |
| Large egg | 1 |
| Milk | 1 tablespoon |
| Granulated sugar | 3 tablespoons |
| Powdered sugar | For finishing |
Vanilla Glaze
| Ingredient | Amount |
| Powdered sugar | 1/2 cup |
| Heavy cream or milk | 1–2 tablespoons |
| Vanilla extract | 1/2 teaspoon |
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Line a 9×13-inch baking dish or baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Prepare the Hawaiian Rolls
Keep all 12 Hawaiian rolls connected as one block.
Using a sharp knife or spoon, carefully create a small square-shaped cavity in the center of the top of each roll. Press the interior bread down gently to create enough room for the filling.
Be careful not to cut completely through the bottom of the rolls.
3. Make the Cream Cheese Filling
Place the softened cream cheese and granulated sugar in a medium bowl.
Beat until smooth and creamy.
Add the egg yolk, vanilla extract, and optional lemon juice. Mix until everything is completely incorporated and the filling is smooth.
4. Fill the Rolls
Spoon or pipe the cream cheese mixture into each cavity.
Try to divide the filling evenly among all 12 rolls.
5. Prepare the Egg Wash
Whisk together 1 large egg and 1 tablespoon of milk.
Brush the egg wash lightly over the exposed tops and outer edges of the Hawaiian rolls.
Sprinkle the edges with a little granulated sugar for extra sweetness and a lightly crisp finish.
6. Bake
Place the prepared rolls in the preheated oven.
Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the roll tops are golden brown and the cream cheese filling is just set.
Avoid overbaking, as the Hawaiian rolls can become dry.
Remove from the oven and allow the Danishes to cool for about 10 minutes.
7. Make the Vanilla Glaze
In a small bowl, whisk together:
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 tablespoons milk or heavy cream
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Start with 1 tablespoon of liquid and add more gradually until the glaze reaches your preferred drizzling consistency.
8. Glaze and Serve
Drizzle the vanilla glaze over the warm Danishes.
Finish with a light dusting of powdered sugar.
Serve warm or at room temperature.
Best Tips
Use softened cream cheese: Room-temperature cream cheese blends much more smoothly and prevents lumps.
Don’t cut through the rolls: Leave enough bread underneath each cavity to hold the filling securely.
Don’t overfill: The cream cheese mixture expands slightly during baking, so fill each cavity generously but avoid overflowing.
Use parchment paper: This makes cleanup easier and helps prevent sticky sugar and cream cheese from adhering to the pan.
Watch the baking time: Hawaiian rolls are already soft and sweet, so they only need enough time to become golden and warm.
Adjust the glaze: Add more milk for a thinner glaze or more powdered sugar for a thicker one.
Serve slightly warm: The cream cheese filling is especially creamy and delicious when the Danishes are still slightly warm.
Best Ingredient Options
Cream Cheese
Full-fat cream cheese gives the richest, creamiest filling. Reduced-fat cream cheese can work, but the texture may be slightly lighter.
Vanilla
Pure vanilla extract provides a classic flavor, while vanilla bean paste gives the filling and glaze a more pronounced vanilla taste.
Lemon Juice
Lemon juice is optional, but a small amount adds brightness and balances the sweetness of the rolls and glaze.
Milk or Heavy Cream
Milk creates a lighter glaze, while heavy cream produces a richer, creamier consistency.
Recipe Variations
Strawberry Cream Cheese Danishes
Add a small spoonful of strawberry preserves to the cream cheese filling before baking.
Blueberry Danishes
Top each filled roll with a few fresh or frozen blueberries before baking.
Raspberry Cream Cheese Danishes
Add a small amount of raspberry jam to the center for a sweet-tart fruit flavor.
Cinnamon Sugar Danishes
Mix a little ground cinnamon into the topping and sprinkle it over the egg-washed rolls.
Lemon Cream Cheese Danishes
Add extra lemon zest to the cream cheese filling and make a simple lemon glaze using fresh lemon juice.
Chocolate Cream Cheese Danishes
Add a few mini chocolate chips to each cream cheese-filled cavity before baking.
What to Serve With
These sweet Danishes pair beautifully with:
- ☕ Hot coffee
- 🥛 Cold milk
- 🍵 Black or herbal tea
- 🍓 Fresh berries
- 🍊 Fresh fruit
- 🥚 Scrambled eggs
- 🥓 Crispy breakfast bacon
- 🥞 Pancakes or waffles
For a brunch gathering, serve them alongside fresh fruit, coffee, and a savory breakfast casserole.
Make-Ahead Instructions
You can prepare the cream cheese filling up to 1 day ahead.
Store the filling in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to bake, allow the filling to sit at room temperature for several minutes so it is easier to spoon or pipe.
For the best texture, prepare and bake the filled Hawaiian rolls close to serving time.
Storage
Allow leftover Danishes to cool completely.
Place them in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3–4 days because the filling contains cream cheese and egg.
For the best texture, keep the Danishes in a single layer when possible.
Reheating
For a quick serving, microwave one Danish for approximately 10–15 seconds.
For several Danishes, place them in a 300°F (150°C) oven for about 5–8 minutes.
Avoid overheating, which can make the bread tough and dry out the filling.
Freezing
For best quality, freeze the baked Danishes before adding the final powdered sugar dusting and glaze.
Allow them to cool completely, then wrap individually and place them in a freezer-safe container or bag.
Freeze for up to 1–2 months for best quality.
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently before adding fresh glaze and powdered sugar.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Cutting too deeply: Cutting through the bottom of the roll can cause the filling to leak.
❌ Using cold cream cheese: Cold cream cheese can produce a lumpy filling.
❌ Overbaking: These rolls need only a short baking time.
❌ Making the glaze too thin: Add the liquid gradually to maintain a thick, drizzleable consistency.
❌ Adding too much filling: Overfilled cavities can cause the cheesecake mixture to spill over during baking.
❌ Skipping the cooling period: Allowing the Danishes to cool for about 10 minutes helps the filling settle.
Nutrition Estimate
Approximate values per Danish; actual nutrition will vary depending on brands and portion sizes.
| Nutrient | Estimated Amount |
| Calories | 230–270 kcal |
| Protein | 4–5 g |
| Carbohydrates | 30–34 g |
| Fat | 10–13 g |
| Saturated Fat | 5–7 g |
| Sugar | 16–20 g |
| Fiber | 0–1 g |
| Sodium | 180–250 mg |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use another type of sweet roll?
Yes. Any soft, slightly sweet dinner roll can work, although Hawaiian rolls provide the signature sweet and fluffy texture.
Can I make these without the egg yolk?
The egg yolk helps create a richer, more set cheesecake-style filling. You can experiment with omitting it, but the final texture may be softer.
Can I use homemade glaze?
Absolutely. A simple powdered sugar glaze is all you need, but you can also use cream cheese frosting, lemon glaze, or a maple glaze.
Can I add fruit?
Yes. Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, peaches, and cherries all pair well with the cream cheese filling.
Why did my filling stay soft?
The filling should be just set after baking, but it will firm further as it cools. Make sure your oven is fully preheated and bake until the tops are golden and the center is no longer visibly liquid.
Are these good for breakfast?
Yes. They make an excellent easy breakfast pastry, brunch recipe, or sweet afternoon snack.
Can I make them less sweet?
Yes. Reduce the sugar in the filling slightly and use less glaze or powdered sugar on top.
Final Thoughts
These Hawaiian Roll Cream Cheese Danishes prove that you don’t need complicated pastry dough or hours in the kitchen to make an impressive homemade treat. Soft Hawaiian rolls transform into golden, cream cheese-filled pastries with a deliciously sweet vanilla finish.
They’re perfect for easy breakfast recipes, weekend brunch, holiday baking, family gatherings, and quick desserts. With simple ingredients and endless possibilities for fruit, chocolate, cinnamon, and different glazes, this recipe is easy to customize for any occasion.