King’s Hawaiian Cinnamon Rolls

Soft, Sweet, Buttery Rolls with a Creamy Vanilla Glaze

There’s nothing quite like the smell of cinnamon rolls baking in the oven—but when you make them with King’s Hawaiian Sweet Rolls, they hit a whole new level of indulgence. These King’s Hawaiian Cinnamon Rolls are ultra-soft, perfectly sweet, and slathered in a homemade cream cheese icing that melts right into every bite.

The best part? They take just 30 minutes to whip up and are perfect for breakfast, brunch, dessert, or an anytime treat. Whether you’re hosting a weekend brunch, looking for a quick holiday recipe, or simply satisfying a sweet tooth, these rolls are guaranteed to steal the show.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Insanely Easy – No dough to knead or proof. Just slice, pour, bake, and glaze.
Shortcut Cinnamon Rolls – Same cozy, cinnamon-spiced flavor without the long process.
Perfect for Entertaining – Great for brunch spreads, holidays, birthdays, or weekend mornings.
Extra Soft Texture – Thanks to the pillowy King’s Hawaiian rolls and buttery cinnamon glaze.
Cream Cheese Icing – The tangy-sweet finishing touch that makes them irresistible.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make this heavenly cinnamon roll shortcut:

For the Rolls:

1 package (12 oz) King’s Hawaiian Sweet Rolls
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

For the Cream Cheese Icing:

1/2 cup cream cheese, softened to room temperature
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Tip: Want a thinner glaze? Add 1–2 teaspoons of milk to the icing for easy drizzling.

How to Make King’s Hawaiian Cinnamon Rolls

1. Preheat Your Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures even baking and that gooey, golden finish on top.

2. Prepare the Baking Dish

Lightly grease a 9×9-inch baking dish or similar square pan. Open the King’s Hawaiian Sweet Rolls and keep them connected in a grid—do not separate. Place the entire block of rolls into the dish.

You can score the top with a knife slightly if you’d like the cinnamon mixture to soak in deeper between the rolls.

3. Make the Cinnamon Topping

In a small mixing bowl, combine:

Melted butter
Brown sugar
Ground cinnamon

Stir until you have a thick, cinnamon-sugar slurry. This will be your flavor-packed topping.

4. Top the Rolls

Using a spoon or pastry brush, generously coat the tops of the sweet rolls with the cinnamon-butter mixture. Make sure to cover all the tops and get a little bit down the sides too.

Optional: Use a knife to carefully slice a shallow “X” in each roll to let more of the topping seep inside.

5. Bake to Golden Perfection

Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 15–20 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and the sugar mixture is bubbling slightly around the edges.

Tip: Keep an eye on them around the 15-minute mark to avoid overbaking—these rolls are best when still soft and fluffy inside!

6. Make the Cream Cheese Icing

While the rolls are baking, grab another bowl and whip up the icing. Mix together:

Softened cream cheese
Powdered sugar
Vanilla extract

Stir until smooth and creamy. For easier drizzling, add a little milk to thin the icing if desired.

7. Glaze and Serve

Remove the rolls from the oven and let cool for about 5 minutes. While still warm, drizzle the cream cheese icing generously over the top. The icing will melt slightly into the cinnamon sugar topping, creating the perfect gooey finish.

Time Breakdown

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Bake Time: 15–20 minutes
Total Time: 25–30 minutes

Yield

This recipe makes 8 servings (based on the standard 12-count King’s Hawaiian rolls, where each person gets about 1.5 rolls).

Variations & Additions

Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the cinnamon sugar topping for a nutty crunch.
Swap the glaze for a simple vanilla icing or maple glaze if cream cheese isn’t your thing.
Want more filling? Carefully separate the rolls and add a little cinnamon-sugar mix between each layer before topping.
Make it spicy: Add a pinch of nutmeg or pumpkin spice for a seasonal twist.

Storage & Reheating

Fridge: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat: Warm individual portions in the microwave for about 15–20 seconds.
Freezer: Wrap baked (but un-iced) rolls tightly and freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw, reheat, and glaze before serving.

When to Serve These Cinnamon Rolls

Weekend brunch or breakfast
Holiday mornings (hello, Christmas or Easter!)
Afternoon snack with coffee or tea
Dessert for cinnamon roll lovers
Potluck parties or baby showers

Final Thoughts

These King’s Hawaiian Cinnamon Rolls are what breakfast dreams are made of—soft, warm, gooey, and sweet in all the best ways. Whether you’re serving them to guests or sneaking one late at night, they’re guaranteed to become a fast favorite. And with only 30 minutes start to finish, there’s really no excuse not to treat yourself!

Tried it? Don’t forget to leave a review, snap a photo, and tag your creations online—we love seeing what you’re baking!