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King’s Hawaiian Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.2 from 89 reviews
  • Author: Elizabeth
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
  • Yield: 12 servings
  • Category: Breakfast
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Description

These King’s Hawaiian Cinnamon Rolls transform soft, sweet Hawaiian rolls into a decadent homemade treat. The rolls are soaked in a yeast-activated milk mixture, kneaded into a dough, filled with a rich cinnamon and brown sugar mixture, baked until golden, and finally topped with a smooth vanilla glaze. Perfect for breakfast or dessert, these cinnamon rolls combine the unique sweet flavor of King’s Hawaiian rolls with classic cinnamon roll elements for a fluffy, flavorful experience.


Ingredients

Scale

Dough Ingredients

  • 1 pack (12 count) King’s Hawaiian Sweet Rolls
  • 1/4 cup warm milk (110°F)
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup melted butter
  • 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Cinnamon Filling

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon

Glaze

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons heavy cream (or milk)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract


Instructions

  1. Prepare the Dough: Warm the milk to about 110°F and dissolve the yeast and sugar in it. Let the mixture stand for 5 minutes until bubbly to activate the yeast.
  2. Soak the Rolls: Tear the King’s Hawaiian Sweet Rolls into small pieces and place in a large bowl. Pour the yeast mixture over the bread and let it soak for 5 minutes to absorb the liquid.
  3. Add Wet Ingredients: Add melted butter, eggs, and salt to the soaked bread mixture and stir thoroughly until well combined.
  4. Knead the Dough: Turn the mixture onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic. Add more flour if sticky, a tablespoon at a time.
  5. First Rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp towel, and let it rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
  6. Make Cinnamon Filling: Combine softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a small bowl and mix until smooth and spreadable.
  7. Roll Out Dough: After the dough has risen, punch it down and roll out on a floured surface into a 12×18 inch rectangle.
  8. Spread Filling: Evenly spread the cinnamon filling over the dough, leaving 1/2 inch space around edges.
  9. Form Rolls: Starting from the long edge, roll the dough tightly into a log, then slice into 12 even rolls.
  10. Prepare to Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  11. Second Rise: Place the rolls close together in the dish, cover with a towel, and let rise for 30 minutes until puffed.
  12. Bake: Bake the rolls for 25-30 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
  13. Make the Glaze: While baking, whisk powdered sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla until smooth and pourable.
  14. Glaze the Rolls: Cool rolls for 5 minutes after baking, then drizzle glaze generously over the warm rolls.
  15. Serve: Serve the cinnamon rolls warm and enjoy the gooey sweetness.

Notes

  • Ensure the milk is not too hot to avoid killing the yeast; 110°F is ideal.
  • You can substitute heavy cream with milk in the glaze for a lighter option.
  • Adding a bit more cinnamon to the filling will intensify the flavor if preferred.
  • Covering the rolls during rises helps maintain humidity for better dough expansion.
  • The King’s Hawaiian rolls add a distinctive sweet Hawaiian flavor unlike regular cinnamon rolls.