Gooey Hawaiian Roll Cinnamon Rolls

If you’ve never turned a pack of Hawaiian sweet rolls into cinnamon rolls before… prepare to become completely obsessed. These Gooey Hawaiian Roll Cinnamon Rolls are soft, buttery, sweet, and honestly dangerously easy to make. The fluffy Hawaiian rolls soak up all that cinnamon-sugar goodness while the buttery topping caramelizes in the oven and creates the dreamiest golden tops.

And then there’s the glaze. A creamy vanilla cream cheese glaze that melts right into every crack and swirl while the rolls are still warm. Truly elite behavior.

These are perfect for holiday mornings, weekend brunches, lazy baking days, or honestly anytime you need a cozy dessert that feels homemade without spending hours making dough from scratch.

The best part? Nobody will believe they started with store-bought rolls.

Gooey Hawaiin Roll Cinnamon Rolls

Hawaiian Sweet Rolls: The soft, slightly sweet rolls are the magic shortcut here. They bake up fluffy and buttery while soaking in all the cinnamon filling. Keeping the rolls connected makes assembly super easy and gives you those pull-apart-style cinnamon rolls everyone loves.

Brown Sugar: Brown sugar adds that deep caramel-like sweetness that makes cinnamon rolls taste extra cozy and rich.

Cinnamon: You can’t have cinnamon rolls without it. Warm, sweet, nostalgic perfection.

Unsalted Butter: Butter shows up in both the filling and topping because we’re not messing around here. It creates that gooey texture inside and helps the tops get beautifully golden.

Heavy Cream or Milk: A little splash helps create a spreadable cinnamon filling that melts perfectly into the rolls while baking.

Cream Cheese: This gives the glaze that rich tangy flavor that balances all the sweetness.

Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and smooths out the glaze for that bakery-style finish.

Vanilla Extract: Adds warmth and makes the glaze taste extra homemade.

Tips, Tricks, and Substitutions 

•  Use very soft butter for the filling so it spreads easily without tearing the rolls.
• A serrated knife works best for slicing the rolls evenly.
• Don’t separate the rolls before assembling. Keeping them connected makes everything easier and helps them stay soft while baking.
• Want extra gooey rolls? Add a drizzle of heavy cream over the top before baking.
• You can swap the cream cheese glaze for a simple powdered sugar glaze if preferred.
• Add chopped pecans or walnuts for a little crunch.
• Love extra cinnamon flavor? Increase the cinnamon slightly in the filling.
• Store leftovers tightly covered so the rolls stay soft.

How to Make Gooey Hawaiian Roll Cinnamon Rolls

1.  Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 9x13 baking dish.
2. Using a serrated knife, slice the entire slab of Hawaiian rolls horizontally while keeping the rolls connected.
3. Place the bottom half of the rolls into the prepared baking dish.
4. In a medium bowl, mix the softened butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, heavy cream, and salt until a smooth spreadable paste forms.
5. Spread the cinnamon filling evenly over the bottom layer of rolls.
6. Place the top half of the rolls back on top.
7. In a small bowl, mix the melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon for the topping.
8. Brush or pour the buttery topping evenly over the rolls.
9. Bake for 22–25 minutes or until the tops are golden brown and the filling is melted and gooey.
10. While the rolls bake, beat the cream cheese and softened butter together until smooth.
11. Add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk until the glaze is creamy and pourable.
12. Spread or drizzle the glaze over the warm rolls and let it melt into all the cracks before serving.

Storage instructions

Store leftover Hawaiian roll cinnamon rolls covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

To reheat, microwave individual rolls for about 15–20 seconds until warm and gooey again.

FAQ

Can I make Hawaiian roll cinnamon rolls ahead of time?

Yes! Assemble them the night before and bake fresh the next morning.

Can I freeze these cinnamon rolls?

Absolutely. Freeze them without the glaze for best results.

Why are my cinnamon rolls dry?

Overbaking is usually the culprit. Pull them from the oven once the tops are golden and the filling is melted.

Can I use regular dinner rolls instead of Hawaiian rolls?

You can, but Hawaiian rolls give these cinnamon rolls their signature soft, sweet flavor.

Can I make these without cream cheese?

Yep! A simple powdered sugar and milk glaze works great too.

Serving Suggestions

These are incredible served:

• Warm with coffee
• For Christmas morning brunch
• At baby showers or brunch parties
• As an easy dessert with vanilla ice cream
• Late at night standing in the kitchen straight from the pan (highly recommend)