Hawaiian Roll Cinnamon Rolls are one of the easiest and most delicious ways to enjoy homemade cinnamon rolls! Made with pre-packaged Hawaiian rolls, they are filled with a buttery brown sugar cinnamon mixture and topped with rich cream cheese frosting. You only need a few simple ingredients and less than 30 minutes to pull off this cozy, crowd-pleasing treat.

Hawaiian Roll Cinnamon Rolls work perfectly as a sweet breakfast treat or a delicious dessert. They are perfect for special occasions, holidays, or any time you want to indulge in something sweet and comforting.

Recipe Highlights
- Quick and easy. No need to mix or let the dough rise! Pre-made Hawaiian rolls cut down on time, so you’re enjoying warm cinnamon rolls in under 30 minutes.
- Loaded with flavor. Sweet Hawaiian rolls layered with gooey cinnamon sugar and topped with creamy frosting? Yes, please.
- Perfect for any time. Great for breakfast, dessert, holidays, or a weekend treat—these are always a hit!

Ingredients in Hawaiian Roll Cinnamon Rolls
Hawaiian Rolls – The cinnamon rolls are made by slicing Hawaiian rolls in half and putting a butter/brown sugar/cinnamon filling in the middle.
Butter – You will need 12 tablespoons of butter. Some of it is melted in the bottom of the pan, some of it is mixed with the brown sugar and cinnamon, and the rest of it is used in the frosting.
Brown sugar – Brown sugar is used in the cinnamon sugar mixture to add sweetness and depth of flavor. The brown sugar is mixed with melted butter and cinnamon to create a delicious filling for the rolls. For best results, use brown sugar that is soft and fresh.
Cinnamon – Can’t have cinnamon rolls without cinnamon, right?!!
Cream cheese – This is the main ingredient in the frosting. You can use any variety of cream cheese (regular, low-fat, or non-fat). Make sure that the cream cheese is softened to room temperature before mixing with the other frosting ingredients.
Powdered sugar – Powdered sugar is used in the frosting to add sweetness and to help create a smooth and creamy texture.
Milk – Any type of milk will work to thin out the frosting. Feel free to add a little more or less to get the frosting to the exact consistency you’re looking for.

Tips and Tricks for Making Hawaiian Roll Cinnamon Rolls
The full instructions for the recipe can be found on the recipe card below, but here are a few helpful tips.
- Don’t separate the rolls when slicing—cut them as one block to make assembly quicker.
- Use fresh brown sugar for the best flavor and smooth spreading.
- Add-ins welcome. Sprinkle chopped pecans or mini chocolate chips in the filling layer for a fun twist.
- Make it ahead. Assemble everything the night before, cover tightly, and bake the next morning.
Storage Instructions
Store leftover cinnamon rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for 1–2 days or in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat individual rolls in the microwave for 10–15 seconds to enjoy them warm.

Hawaiian Roll Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
Ingredients
- 12 count Hawaiian Rolls
- 12 tablespoons butter divided
- ⅔ cup brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 4 ounces cream cheese softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- ¼ cup milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°.
- Slice the Hawaiian rolls in half.
- Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish.
- Lay the bottom half of the rolls in the pan.
- In a small bowl melt 8 tablespoons of butter. Mix in the brown sugar and cinnamon.
- Spread half of the cinnamon butter on the rolls in the pan. I like to use a pastry brush for this, but you can use a spoon or spatula to spread the butter all over the rolls.
- Place the tops of the rolls over the butter mixture. Pour the rest of the cinnamon butter evenly over the top of the rolls.
- Bake for 15 minutes.
- While the rolls are baking, mix up the frosting.
To make the frosting:
- In a small bowl melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Add the cream cheese, powdered sugar and milk and whisk until smooth.
- Remove cinnamon rolls from oven and let them set for 10 minutes. Pour the frosting over the rolls and use a knife or spatula to evenly spread it over them.
- Slice and serve! Like all cinnamon rolls, these are much better warm!
Nutrition
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Serving Suggestions for Hawaiian Roll Cinnamon Rolls
Hawaiian Roll Cinnamon Rolls are a delicious treat that can be enjoyed any time of day. They are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or even as a dessert. Here are a few serving suggestions to help you enjoy these tasty rolls to the fullest:
- Serve with a hot cup of coffee or tea for breakfast or brunch.
- Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top of a warm cinnamon roll for a delicious dessert.
- Drizzle caramel sauce or chocolate syrup over the rolls for an extra decadent treat.
- Add chopped nuts, such as pecans or walnuts, to the cinnamon butter mixture for added texture and flavor.
- Serve alongside fresh fruit, such as sliced strawberries or blueberries, for a balanced breakfast or snack.

FAQs
Do Hawaiian rolls contain dairy?
Yes, most Hawaiian rolls contain dairy products such as butter and whey. Always check labels if you have dietary restrictions.
Do Hawaiian rolls have a lot of sugar?
They are sweeter than regular rolls—King’s Hawaiian, for example, contains about 6 grams of sugar per roll. That’s why they pair so well with sweet cinnamon and frosting.
Can I use homemade frosting instead?
Absolutely. Feel free to use your favorite cream cheese or vanilla glaze recipe in place of the one listed here.

HERE ARE MORE TASTY CINNAMON ROLL RECIPES TO TRY:
- Classic Homemade Cinnamon Rolls are feather-light sweet rolls with pecans, cinnamon, and a lovely vanilla glaze.
- If you’re short on time, these Mini Cinnamon Rolls can be made in less than 15 minutes! Hawaiian Roll Cinnamon Rolls are made with pre-made Hawaiian rolls – they don’t get much easier than that!
- Monkey Bread can be prepped the night before and tastes very similar to traditional cinnamon rolls. If you have a few extra minutes, you should try this Cream Cheese Stuffed Monkey Bread recipe!
These Hawaiian Roll Cinnamon Rolls are soft, gooey, and full of sweet cinnamon flavor with a buttery, creamy frosting. Perfect for a quick and satisfying treat any time of day!










Ami says
Wow! Mmmmm good
Jessica says
So glad you liked them Ami!
Valerie says
Like the recipe, but too sweet for our taste. Next time will do half the brown sugar and butter mixture, only putting it on the inside of each roll, brush the tops with butter before it goes in the oven. Half the amount of frosting and serve it on the side, so everyone can decide how much they want.
Julie says
These are amazing!!!
Jessica says
thank you!!
Susan Gainer says
Very quick, easy and delicious! Hubs has a huge sweet tooth so these are perfect for him for breakfast
wendy says
can i use the no bake cream cheese that comes in the tub for the frosting
Jessica says
I don’t know what product you’re talking about Wendy. No-Bake cream cheese?
Jody says
Too darn sweet! I’d reduce the brown sugar to 1/4 cup, and the powdered sugar to 1/2 cup. Seriously, even my teenage boys thought this was way too sweet. The overall taste and texture were great, just greatly reduce the sugar and you’ll have great results.
Nellie says
Reducing the sugar is definitely an option if that is your preference!
Hilda Inge says
Perfect!! But it makes more than I can eat at one time. Can I freeze them successfully? Thank you !
Jessica says
I freeze cinnamon rolls often! I find the 2nd time around, they’re more moist, but that doesn’t bother me.