🍍 Cinnamon-Sugar Hawaiian Cheesecake Swirls ✨
These are soft Hawaiian rolls baked in cinnamon sugar, hollowed, and stuffed with rich cheesecake + a bright lemon center. 🤍✨ Save this one!
⸻
🛒 Ingredients
Rolls
• 12 Hawaiian sweet rolls
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
Cheesecake Filling
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2–3 tbsp heavy cream (for piping consistency)
Lemon Center
• 1/4 cup lemon curd
Cinnamon-Sugar Coating
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
⸻
🍽️ Instructions
1. Prep
• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C)
• Line a baking sheet or lightly grease a 9×13 pan
2. Make cinnamon-sugar butter
• Mix melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon until smooth
3. Hollow the rolls (this creates the stuffed look)
• Separate rolls
• Use a small knife to cut a hole in the side (don’t cut through)
• Gently remove some bread inside to form a pocket
4. Toast & flavor
• Brush rolls generously with cinnamon-sugar butter (outside + inside pocket)
• Bake 5–7 minutes until lightly toasted
5. Cheesecake filling
• Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth
• Add heavy cream 1 tbsp at a time until thick but pipeable
6. Fill
• Pipe about 1 tsp lemon curd into each roll
• Pipe cheesecake filling on top until full
• Add a tiny extra dot of lemon curd at the opening if desired
7. Warm through
• Return to oven for 3–5 minutes
8. Cinnamon-sugar finish
• Brush warm rolls lightly with leftover butter
• Roll generously in cinnamon-sugar mixture
⸻
✨ Tips
• Chill filling 10 minutes before piping for cleaner edges
• Best served warm, like a stuffed donut
• Store leftovers refrigerated, reheat gently
If you're looking to impress your family or guests with a unique and delightful dessert, these Cinnamon-Sugar Hawaiian Cheesecake Swirls are a fantastic choice. What I love most about this recipe is how it creatively repurposes soft Hawaiian rolls by hollowing them out and filling them with a luscious cheesecake mixture that's brightened by a lemon curd core. This combination of flavors – the sweet cinnamon sugar, creamy cheesecake, and zesty lemon – creates a balanced taste profile that feels indulgent without being overwhelming. From my experience making these swirls, the key to success lies in preparing the cinnamon-sugar butter generously. Brushing both the interior pocket and exterior of the rolls before baking ensures each bite is infused with warm cinnamon aroma and sweetness. Toasting the rolls briefly before filling not only adds a slight crunch but also prevents sogginess when you add the creamy filling. Chilling the cheesecake filling for about 10 minutes before piping is a game-changer. It helps the batter firm up for cleaner, more attractive swirls, making the finished look very inviting – almost like a stuffed donut. I also recommend serving these warm so that the flavors meld perfectly and the texture remains soft and melt-in-your-mouth. Another tip is experimenting with the lemon curd amount; piping about a teaspoon inside each swirl adds a pleasant tartness that cuts through the richness, making the dessert feel light and refreshing. For those looking for a small twist, adding a zest of fresh lemon on top before serving adds an extra burst of citrus fragrance. Store any leftovers in the refrigerator and gently reheat before enjoying to maintain that perfect warm softness. These swirls aren’t just a dessert, but an experience combining comforting baked goods with a gourmet twist. Try them at your next brunch or family gathering – they’ll likely become a new favorite!
See more comments