Indulge in the simple pleasure of homemade cream cheese danishes without the fuss of traditional pastry-making. This incredibly easy recipe transforms humble Kings Hawaiian rolls into delightful, golden-brown treats, perfect for a quick breakfast, a leisurely brunch, or a satisfying dessert. Forget complicated puff pastry sheets or canned crescent rolls; our method streamlines the process, allowing you to create bakery-quality danishes in your own kitchen with minimal effort. Imagine biting into a soft, sweet roll, filled with a rich, tangy cream cheese center, all topped with a delicate vanilla glaze. This isn’t just a recipe; it’s an invitation to elevate your mornings and sweeten your weekends.
These Kings Hawaiian Cream Cheese Danishes are designed for maximum flavor with minimum stress. The secret lies in using pre-made dinner rolls, which provide a wonderfully soft and slightly sweet base, eliminating the need for any laborious dough preparation. You’ll simply shape the rolls, whip up a luscious homemade cream cheese filling (think a deconstructed cheesecake center!), bake until golden, and then drizzle with an irresistible vanilla glaze. The result is a warm, comforting pastry that tastes far more complex than its preparation suggests. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a kitchen novice, you’ll find this recipe incredibly approachable and rewarding.
If you’re a devoted fan of danishes but often deterred by the time-consuming process of crafting flaky pastry from scratch, then this is the recipe you’ve been waiting for. It’s an ideal choice for busy holiday mornings, like Christmas breakfast, or simply as a special treat to brighten any weekend. These danishes offer a delightful balance of sweetness and tang, with a tender texture that melts in your mouth. Get ready to impress your family and friends with these effortlessly elegant pastries that taste like they came straight from a gourmet bakery.
Essential Ingredients for Kings Hawaiian Cream Cheese Danishes
Crafting these delectable danishes requires a straightforward list of ingredients, most of which you likely already have in your pantry. We’ve simplified the process to ensure you spend less time shopping and more time enjoying. Here’s what you’ll need for both the pastry base and the creamy filling, along with the optional but highly recommended sweet glaze:
- Danish Bread Base: A 12-count package of Kings Hawaiian rolls forms the perfect foundation for these semi-homemade danishes. Their inherent sweetness and soft texture are ideal.
- Butter: Unsalted butter, melted, will be used to create a flavorful cinnamon-sugar mixture that coats the rolls, enhancing their taste and texture.
- Sugar: You’ll need light brown sugar for the spiced butter coating, adding a deeper, molasses-rich sweetness, and granulated sugar for the creamy cheesecake-like filling, ensuring it’s perfectly sweet.
- Seasoning: Ground cinnamon is a crucial addition, imparting a warm, aromatic spice that beautifully complements the sweet and tangy cream cheese.
- Cream Cheese: Ensure your cream cheese is at room temperature for a smooth, lump-free filling. An 8-ounce block is typically sufficient.
- Egg: A large egg, also at room temperature, helps bind the cream cheese filling, giving it structure and a custard-like consistency when baked.
- Extract: High-quality vanilla extract is indispensable for both the cream cheese filling and the final glaze, adding a comforting and familiar sweetness. Store-bought or homemade will work wonderfully.
For the Irresistible Glaze:
- Powdered Sugar: Also known as confectioners’ sugar, this creates a wonderfully smooth and soft glaze that drizzles beautifully over the warm danishes.
- Milk: Whole milk is recommended for the glaze to achieve a creamy consistency that isn’t too thin, ensuring a luscious finish.
- Vanilla Extract: A final touch of vanilla in the glaze ties all the flavors together, adding another layer of aromatic sweetness.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Kings Hawaiian Cream Cheese Danishes
Creating these delightful danishes is a straightforward process that takes less than 30 minutes from start to finish. Follow these simple steps to bring a taste of the bakery into your home.
- Prepare Your Baking Dish: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven heats, prepare a 9×13 inch baking dish. Lightly spray it with a nonstick cooking spray, or for easier cleanup, line it with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and makes serving a breeze.
- Prepare the Hawaiian Rolls: Carefully take each Kings Hawaiian roll and, using a serrated knife, cut a square shape into the top of each roll. Make sure to cut approximately halfway down through the roll. Gently remove about 1 tablespoon of the bread from the center of each square, creating a small well for your cream cheese filling. This simple step transforms the rolls into perfect pastry cups.
- Create the Cinnamon-Sugar Butter: In a small mixing bowl, combine the melted unsalted butter, light brown sugar, and ground cinnamon. Stir these ingredients together until well combined, forming a fragrant, slightly thick paste. This mixture will infuse the rolls with a wonderful depth of flavor.
- Brush the Rolls: Generously brush this aromatic cinnamon-sugar butter mixture all over the inside and top surfaces of each prepared Hawaiian roll. Pay special attention to the edges of the cut squares and the interior wells. This step not only adds flavor but also helps create a beautiful golden-brown crust.
- Prepare the Cream Cheese Filling: In a medium-sized bowl, add the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, and the large egg. Using an electric mixer or a whisk, beat these ingredients together thoroughly until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy, with no lumps. This is your luscious, cheesecake-inspired filling.
- Fill the Rolls: Using a spoon, carefully dollop a generous amount of the cream cheese mixture into the square cutout on top of each Hawaiian roll. Ensure the filling is neatly contained within the wells you created.
- Bake to Perfection: Transfer the baking dish with the filled rolls into the preheated oven. Bake for approximately 15 to 20 minutes, or until the cream cheese filling has set and the rolls are beautifully golden brown around the edges. Keep an eye on them to prevent over-browning.
- Prepare the Glaze: While the danishes are baking or cooling slightly, prepare your simple vanilla glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until you achieve a smooth, pourable consistency. If it’s too thick, add a tiny bit more milk; if too thin, add a little more powdered sugar.
- Glaze and Serve: Once the danishes are out of the oven and slightly cooled (or while still warm for a melting glaze effect), drizzle the prepared vanilla glaze generously over the top of each roll. Serve immediately and enjoy these delightful, easy-to-make cream cheese danishes!
Storing and Reheating Your Cream Cheese Danishes
Proper storage is key to enjoying your delicious Kings Hawaiian Cream Cheese Danishes for as long as possible. Since these pastries contain cream cheese, they require refrigeration to maintain freshness and prevent spoilage. Here’s how to best store and even reheat your leftovers:
- Refrigeration: Any leftover cream cheese danishes should be stored in an airtight container and placed in the refrigerator. When stored correctly, they will remain fresh and delicious for up to 3 days. This helps preserve the texture of the rolls and the creaminess of the filling.
- Freezing for Later: If you’ve made a large batch or want to prepare them in advance, these danishes freeze surprisingly well. Once baked and completely cooled, arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then, transfer the frozen danishes to an airtight freezer-safe bag or container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 1 month.
- Reheating Instructions:
- From the Fridge: To reheat refrigerated danishes, place them on a baking sheet and warm in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 5-10 minutes, or until heated through and softened. Alternatively, a quick zap in the microwave for 15-30 seconds per danish works too, though the oven provides a better texture.
- From the Freezer: For frozen danishes, you can reheat them directly from frozen. Place them on a baking sheet and bake at 325°F (160°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until thoroughly warmed. Covering loosely with foil can prevent over-browning.
Tips, Tricks, and Customization Ideas for Your Danishes
This recipe is already incredibly simple and delicious, but there are always ways to elevate your baking and customize these cream cheese danishes to suit your taste. Here are some expert tips and creative variations to try:
Enhance the Flavor of Your Semi-Homemade Breakfast Recipe:
- Add Fresh Berries: For a burst of freshness and color, top your danishes with fresh fruit after they come out of the oven. Sliced fresh strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, or even a mix of berries are fantastic additions.
- Zesty Lemon Cream Cheese Filling: Introduce a bright, citrusy note by adding 1-2 teaspoons of fresh lemon juice or a tablespoon of finely grated lemon zest to the cream cheese mixture. This creates a vibrant, lemony cream cheese filling that perfectly balances the sweetness.
- Chocolate Lover’s Delight: Make these extra decadent by folding mini chocolate chips or small chocolate chunks into the cream cheese mixture before filling the rolls. The melting chocolate adds an extra layer of indulgence.
- Nutty Crunch: Sprinkle chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts over the cream cheese filling before baking for added texture and a rich, earthy flavor.
- Different Extracts: Experiment with other extracts. Almond extract in the cream cheese filling or glaze can offer a distinct, delightful aroma, or try a touch of orange extract for a subtle citrus twist.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Will these danishes be flaky like traditional ones?
Since this recipe cleverly uses premade Kings Hawaiian dinner rolls instead of a traditional flaky puff pastry dough, you won’t achieve the distinct layered flakiness found in classic danishes. However, what you *will* get is an incredibly soft, tender, and slightly chewy pastry base that everyone adores. The charm of this recipe lies in its simplicity and the delicious, pillowy texture that perfectly complements the creamy filling.
Can I make these danishes ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the cream cheese filling and the cinnamon-sugar butter mixture a day in advance and store them separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to bake, simply assemble the danishes and proceed with the baking instructions. This is a fantastic time-saver for busy mornings!
How can I get an even more golden brown top?
For a beautifully shiny, golden-brown finish on your danishes, you can always apply a simple egg wash. Before baking, use a pastry brush to lightly brush a beaten egg (one large egg whisked with a tablespoon of water or milk) over the top of the constructed pastries. This creates a lovely sheen and enhances the browning during baking.
Can I use other types of rolls?
While Kings Hawaiian rolls are highly recommended for their unique sweetness and soft texture, you could experiment with other brioche-style dinner rolls or sweet rolls. Just be aware that the flavor and texture might vary slightly. Avoid savory rolls or overly dense breads for the best results.
More Irresistible Sweet Treats and Dessert Recipes
If you loved making these easy cream cheese danishes, you might be looking for more delightful dessert and breakfast ideas. Explore some of our other favorite recipes that are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth:
- No-Bake Layered Turtle Dessert
- No-Bake Pineapple Layered Dessert
- Strawberry Pretzel Dessert
- Buster Bar Dessert
Kings Hawaiian Cream Cheese Danishes
Julia Pacheco
10 minutes
20 minutes
30 minutes
12
servings
Print Recipe
Ingredients
- 12 count package Hawaiian rolls
- ½ cup butter, melted
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 3 tbsp sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 C). Spray a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick spray (or line it with parchment paper).
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Using a serrated knife, cut a square into the top of each roll, about halfway down, removing approximately 1 tbsp of the center from each roll to create a well.
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In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
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Generously brush this mixture all over the inside and top of the prepared rolls.
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To a medium-sized bowl, add the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, and egg, then beat well until smooth.
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Spoon the cream cheese mixture into the top well of each roll.
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Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the cream cheese filling has set and the rolls are golden brown.
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Prepare the glaze by mixing together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
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Once out of the oven, drizzle the prepared glaze generously on top of the warm rolls. Serve and enjoy!
Video
Nutrition Information
Carbohydrates: 31g |
Protein: 5g |
Fat: 17g |
Saturated Fat: 10g |
Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g |
Monounsaturated Fat: 4g |
Trans Fat: 0.3g |
Cholesterol: 63mg |
Sodium: 211mg |
Potassium: 41mg |
Fiber: 0.1g |
Sugar: 20g |
Vitamin A: 515IU |
Vitamin C: 0.01mg |
Calcium: 29mg |
Iron: 0.1mg
Nutrition information is an approximation and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.
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