This Hawaiian Cheesecake Danish Recipe is the ultimate shortcut to a bakery-style breakfast without the hassle of making pastry dough from scratch. Using soft King’s Hawaiian sweet rolls and a rich cream cheese filling, these danishes are perfect for holiday mornings or a special weekend brunch.
Table of Contents
Why You Will Love This Recipe
You will love this Hawaiian Cheesecake Danish Recipe because it combines the iconic sweetness of Hawaiian rolls with a decadent cheesecake center. It is incredibly easy to prepare in under 30 minutes, making it a stress-free option for entertaining guests or feeding a hungry family. Plus, the warm cinnamon-butter topping adds a cozy, spiced aroma that fills your entire kitchen while they bake.
Ingredients
- 12 pack King’s Hawaiian original sweet rolls
- 1/3 cup butter (melted)
- 1 tbsp butter (melted, for the baking dish)
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 1 large egg (beaten)
- 3 tbsp granulated sugar
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375 F. Melt 1 tablespoon of butter and spread it evenly across the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish.
- Place the entire pack of rolls into the dish. Cut an X into the center of each roll and gently push the dough down into the roll to create a cavity.
- In a small bowl or measuring cup, stir together the 1/3 cup melted butter, brown sugar, nutmeg, and cinnamon.
- Pour the spiced butter mixture evenly over the top of the rolls, ensuring some of the mixture gets into the centers.
- In a separate bowl, stir the room temperature cream cheese until completely smooth. Stir in the granulated sugar until smooth, then stir in the beaten egg until well combined.
- Transfer the cream cheese mixture to a piping bag (or a plastic bag with the tip cut off) and pipe the filling into the cavity of each roll.
- Bake the rolls uncovered at 375 F for 12 to 15 minutes. Check them after 12 minutes to ensure the cream cheese is set.
- Allow the danishes to cool for a few minutes before serving warm.
Expert Tips / Pro Tips
To achieve the best results with this Hawaiian Cheesecake Danish Recipe, ensure your cream cheese is truly at room temperature before mixing. This prevents lumps and ensures a silky, professional finish to your filling. When cutting the X into the rolls, be careful not to cut all the way to the bottom, as you want the roll to act as a sturdy bowl for the cheesecake mixture. If you want an extra glossy look, you can lightly brush the tops with a little extra melted butter halfway through the baking process.
Variations & Substitutions
For a fruity variation, try adding a small spoonful of lemon curd or blueberry preserves on top of the cream cheese filling before baking. If you do not have King’s Hawaiian rolls, you can substitute them with brioche slider buns, though the flavor will be slightly less sweet. For those who enjoy extra spice, adding a pinch of ground ginger to the butter mixture can provide a lovely warmth that complements the nutmeg.
Serving Suggestions
These danishes are best served warm, shortly after they have come out of the oven and had a few minutes to set. They are a wonderful addition to a brunch spread alongside savory items like bacon or a vegetable quiche. For a true coffee-house experience, serve them with a hot latte or a cold brew coffee. You can also dust the tops with a light coating of powdered sugar just before serving for an elegant presentation.
Storage, Freezing & Reheating
If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Because of the cream cheese and egg content, they should not be left out at room temperature for more than two hours. To reheat, place the danishes in a 350 F oven for about 5 minutes or use an air fryer for 2 minutes to keep the bread soft and the center warm. Freezing is not recommended as it can change the texture of the cheesecake filling.
Nutrition Information
| Nutrient | Amount Per Serving (1 Danish) |
| Calories | 215 kcal |
| Total Fat | 13g |
| Saturated Fat | 8g |
| Cholesterol | 48mg |
| Sodium | 165mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 21g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.5g |
| Sugars | 12g |
| Protein | 4g |
FAQ
Can I make these danishes the night before?
You can prepare the butter mixture and the cream cheese filling ahead of time and store them in the fridge. However, for the best texture, it is recommended to assemble and bake them fresh in the morning so the rolls do not become soggy.
Do I have to use a piping bag?
No, a piping bag is not strictly necessary. You can use a gallon-sized Ziploc bag and snip off one corner, or even use a small spoon to carefully drop the filling into the center of the rolls.
Is there a way to make these less sweet?
If you prefer a less sweet danish, you can reduce the granulated sugar in the cream cheese filling to 2 tablespoons and omit the brown sugar from the butter topping.
Can I use low-fat cream cheese?
Yes, you can use Neufchâtel or low-fat cream cheese, but the filling may be slightly thinner and less rich than the full-fat version.
Hawaiian Cheesecake Danish Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 375 F. Melt 1 tablespoon of butter and spread it evenly across the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish.1 tbsp butter
- Place the entire pack of rolls into the dish. Cut an X into the center of each roll and gently push the dough down into the roll to create a cavity.1 pack King’s Hawaiian original sweet rolls
- In a small bowl or measuring cup, stir together the 1/3 cup melted butter, brown sugar, nutmeg, and cinnamon.1/3 cup butter, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg, 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- Pour the spiced butter mixture evenly over the top of the rolls, ensuring some of the mixture gets into the centers.
- In a separate bowl, stir the room temperature cream cheese until completely smooth. Stir in the granulated sugar until smooth, then stir in the beaten egg until well combined.8 oz cream cheese, 3 tbsp granulated sugar, 1 large egg
- Transfer the cream cheese mixture to a piping bag (or a plastic bag with the tip cut off) and pipe the filling into the cavity of each roll.
- Bake the rolls uncovered at 375 F for 12 to 15 minutes. Check them after 12 minutes to ensure the cream cheese is set.
- Allow the danishes to cool for a few minutes before serving warm.