These Hawaiian Roll Cherry Danishes are warm, gooey, bakery-style treats made in minutes! Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a simple dessert.
The Ultimate Shortcut Dessert (or Breakfast!) Recipe
Are you searching for a dessert that tastes like it came from a bakery but doesn’t require hours in the kitchen? Look no further! These Hawaiian Roll Cherry Danishes are your answer. This delightful recipe combines the convenience of store-bought Hawaiian sweet rolls with a luscious cream cheese filling and sweet cherry pie topping. The result? A warm, gooey danish that’s ready in minutes. They’re ideal for a special breakfast, a festive holiday brunch, or a quick and easy dessert any night of the week. What’s even better is that you can easily tailor the sweetness to your preference, making them as decadent or as simple as you desire. These danishes are guaranteed to be a hit with everyone!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! If cherry pie filling isn’t your favorite, or if you simply want to experiment with different flavors, you can easily substitute it with other fruit pie fillings. Peach, blueberry, apple, and strawberry pie fillings all work wonderfully in this recipe. Get creative and try your personal favorites!
Yes, you can definitely assemble the rolls with the cream cheese and cherry filling in advance. Once assembled, refrigerate them (unbaked) for up to 24 hours. Before baking, allow them to sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes to take the chill off.
Reducing the sweetness is easy! You can opt to skip the butter and sugar topping altogether or simply brush the rolls with plain melted butter. Another option is to drizzle a smaller amount of icing on top after baking. Feel free to adjust these elements to suit your taste preferences.
Yes, creating a small well in the center of each roll is important. This well serves as a reservoir to hold the cream cheese and cherry pie filling in place, preventing it from spilling over the sides during baking and keeping the danishes neat and tidy.
Certainly! For a delightful cherry almond flavor profile, try adding a few drops of almond extract to the icing. If you’re a fan of cinnamon, sprinkle cinnamon sugar on top of the danishes before baking for a warm and comforting cinnamon cherry version. For chocolate lovers, drizzle the iced danishes with melted chocolate for a decadent chocolate cherry treat. Alternatively, adding a touch of lemon zest to the icing creates a bright and refreshing lemon cherry version. The possibilities are endless!
Store any leftover danishes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. They can be enjoyed chilled straight from the fridge or lightly warmed for a few seconds in the microwave.
Freezing these danishes is not recommended. The texture of the Hawaiian sweet rolls tends to become overly soft and slightly soggy once thawed, which can compromise the overall enjoyment of the dessert.
For a quick reheat, warm the danishes in the microwave for approximately 10-15 seconds. Alternatively, you can warm them in a preheated 300°F (150°C) oven for a few minutes until they are just warmed through. Be careful not to overheat them, as this can make them dry.
Key Ingredients You’ll Need (Full Recipe Card Below):
- Hawaiian Sweet Rolls: These are the foundation of our danishes, providing that signature sweetness and soft texture. You can use any store brand version, but be sure to choose the *sweet* rolls for the best flavor. The soft, slightly sweet nature of these rolls complements the cherry and cream cheese perfectly.
- Cream Cheese: This creates the rich and creamy filling that makes these danishes so irresistible. It’s crucial to use softened cream cheese for a smooth and lump-free mixture. Avoid melting it completely!
- Powdered Sugar: Also known as confectioners’ sugar, this sweetens the cream cheese filling and gives it a perfectly smooth texture.
- Vanilla Extract: A touch of vanilla extract enhances the overall flavor of the cream cheese filling. For an even more decadent twist, consider adding a few drops of almond extract to create a delightful cherry almond flavor combination that elevates the danishes to another level. Almond and cherry pair beautifully together!
- Cherry Pie Filling: The star of the show! This provides the sweet and tangy cherry flavor that makes these danishes so delicious. While you could certainly make your own homemade cherry pie filling, using store-bought filling makes this recipe incredibly quick and easy. Of course, this recipe is highly adaptable, and you can use any flavor of pie filling you desire.
- Butter: Used to create a golden and slightly crispy topping, butter adds richness and flavor to the danishes. You can use either salted or unsalted butter; the difference is minimal. Salted butter contains such a small amount of salt that it won’t impart a noticeable salty taste to the danishes. However, if you’re concerned about the salt content, feel free to use unsalted butter.
- Granulated Sugar: Adds extra sweetness to the buttery topping, creating a caramelized effect that’s simply divine.
- Milk: Used to create the simple yet delicious icing that’s drizzled over the warm danishes. I recommend using whole milk for the richest flavor, but 2% milk should also work. I haven’t tested the recipe with milk substitutes.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Hawaiian Roll Cherry Danishes
Making these irresistible Hawaiian Roll Cherry Danishes is surprisingly simple. Follow these easy steps, and you’ll have a batch of warm, gooey treats ready in no time!
First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a 9×13 inch baking dish or a baking sheet covered with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Arrange the Hawaiian sweet rolls in the prepared dish, leaving a little space between each one for even baking.
Next, take a small knife or a spoon and carefully cut a small square out of the center of each Hawaiian roll. Be careful not to cut all the way through to the bottom; you simply want to create a well to hold the delicious cream cheese and cherry filling.
In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Using an electric mixer (either a hand mixer or a stand mixer), beat the ingredients together until smooth and creamy. Alternatively, you can mix the filling by hand, but it will require a bit more effort and may take longer to achieve a smooth consistency. The result should be a light, fluffy, and sweet cream cheese mixture.
Once the cream cheese filling is ready, spoon a generous amount into the well of each Hawaiian roll. Fill them up nicely, leaving a little room for the cherry pie filling.
Now, add a spoonful of your chosen cherry pie filling over the cream cheese in each well. Don’t be shy about adding a generous amount of cherry goodness! The combination of the creamy filling and the sweet, tangy cherries is what makes these danishes so addictive.
In a separate small bowl, melt the butter completely. Add the granulated sugar to the melted butter and stir until well combined. This butter-sugar mixture will create a delicious golden topping for the danishes.
Using a pastry brush, generously brush the entire top layer of the rolls with the butter-sugar mixture. Make sure to get into all the nooks and crannies for maximum flavor and a beautiful golden-brown finish. The sugar will caramelize during baking, adding a delightful crunch and sweetness.
Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 6 to 8 minutes. Keep a close eye on the danishes, as oven times can vary. You’ll know they’re ready when the tops are lightly golden brown and the rolls are warmed through. If the tops aren’t quite golden enough but the rolls seem warmed through, you can continue to bake them for a few more minutes until they reach your desired level of golden-brown perfection.
While the danishes are baking, prepare the icing. In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and pourable. The consistency should be thin enough to drizzle easily but not so thin that it’s watery. If the icing is too thick, add a tiny bit more milk, one teaspoon at a time, until it reaches the desired consistency. If it’s too thin, add a little more powdered sugar, one tablespoon at a time.
Once the danishes are done baking, remove them from the oven and let them cool slightly for a minute or two. While they are still warm, drizzle the icing generously over the tops of the danishes. The warmth will help the icing melt slightly and create a beautiful glaze.
Serve immediately and enjoy the warm, gooey goodness of your homemade Hawaiian Roll Cherry Danishes! These are best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for later.
Craving More Delicious and Easy Recipes?
If you enjoyed this recipe, be sure to check out these other equally delightful and easy-to-make treats!
- Easy Cheese Danishes: A classic and simple danish recipe using crescent rolls and a creamy cheese filling.
- Easy Apple Danishes: Another delightful danish variation using crescent rolls, filled with sweet and spiced apples.
- Strawberry Cheese Danish: A sweet and fruity danish featuring a creamy cheese filling and fresh strawberries.
- Cherry Crumble Danishes: A twist on the classic cherry danish with a buttery crumble topping.
- Pumpkin Danishes: Perfect for fall, these danishes feature a spiced pumpkin filling.
Hawaiian Roll Cherry Danishes Recipe
15 minutes
8 minutes
23 minutes
12
Ingredients
-
12
Hawaiian sweet rolls -
8
ounce
block cream cheese, softened to room temperature -
¼
cup
powdered sugar -
1
teaspoon
vanilla extract
(or almond extract) -
12
ounce
cherry pie filling
Butter sugar topping:
-
½
cup
melted butter
(can use salted or unsalted) -
2
Tablespoons
granulated sugar
Icing
-
1
cup
powdered sugar -
2
Tablespoons
milk -
¼
teaspoon
vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F degrees. Place 12 Hawaiian sweet rolls in a 9×13-inch baking dish (or a parchment paper lined baking pan with higher sides.)