Hawaiian Roll Cherry Danishes

These Hawaiian Roll Cherry Danishes are warm, gooey treats that taste like they came straight from a bakery — and the best part? They’re ready in minutes! Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a fuss-free dessert any day of the week.

If you’re all about quick recipes that feel a little special, these Hawaiian Roll Cherry Danishes are going to become your new go-to. They come together fast, bake up beautifully, and you can tweak the sweetness to make them just right for your family. Whether you’re fixing a cozy brunch, a holiday morning treat, or a simple dessert, these danishes fit perfectly into real life!

Dreaming of bakery-style pastries but short on time? These Hawaiian Roll Cherry Danishes deliver exactly that — soft, sweet Hawaiian rolls filled with a smooth cream cheese mixture and topped with luscious cherry pie filling. Best of all, they come together in just minutes using mostly store-bought ingredients. Just cut a small well in the roll, fill it up, and bake on your oven’s middle rack for 6 to 8 minutes until golden and melty.

In this post, you’ll find the full ingredient list, step-by-step photos to guide you through the assembly, plus my favorite tips and flavor swaps to customize these cherry treats just how you like. They’re quick to make but seriously impressive and perfect anytime you want a special morning or easy dessert.

• Makes 12 individual danishes — one per Hawaiian roll
• Simple and quick assembly with pantry staples and just one can of pie filling
• Easy to swap out fillings or adjust icing to fit your taste buds

Why You’ll Love These Danishes

These Hawaiian Roll Cherry Danishes are a brilliant shortcut for busy mornings or last-minute guests. Using store-bought sweet rolls means no fussing over homemade dough, and the whole dish bakes up in under 10 minutes. Each danish is soft and sweet with a perfect balance of cream cheese and cherry flavors—if you’re craving more cherry bakes for a crowd, try our Cherry Poke Cake. Plus, you can customize them easily — add almond extract for a nutty twist, sprinkle cinnamon sugar, or swap in your favorite fruit filling for variety (a bright lemon twist like these lemon cream puffs with lemon fillings is delicious). It’s a no-fail recipe that anyone can pull off and still impress!

What You Need to Gather

• 12 Hawaiian sweet rolls
• 8-ounce block cream cheese, softened to room temperature (important for smooth filling!)
• ¼ cup powdered sugar (to sweeten the cream cheese)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (or try almond extract for a subtle nutty note)
• 12-ounce can cherry pie filling
• ½ cup melted butter (salted or unsalted, both work great)
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 cup powdered sugar (for the icing)
• 2 tablespoons milk
• ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract (for the icing)

Assemble, Fill, and Bake

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Arrange 12 Hawaiian sweet rolls in a 9×13-inch baking dish (or line a pan with parchment).

3. Carefully carve a small shallow square out of the center of each roll without cutting through the bottom.

4. In a medium bowl, beat together softened cream cheese, ¼ cup powdered sugar, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until smooth.
5. Spoon a generous dollop of the cream cheese mixture into each roll’s well.
6. Top each cream cheese-filled roll with a spoonful of cherry pie filling.
7. Stir together ½ cup melted butter and 2 tablespoons granulated sugar in a small bowl.
8. Brush the butter-sugar mixture over the tops and into the seams of each roll with a pastry brush.
9. Place the pan on the middle oven rack and bake 6–8 minutes, until tops are lightly golden and rolls are warmed through.
10. While rolls bake, whisk 1 cup powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons milk, and ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract until smooth and pourable, adjusting thickness as needed.
11. Remove danishes from oven and drizzle the icing over them while they are still warm.

Pro Tips and Shortcuts

• Make sure your cream cheese is softened to room temperature — not melted — this helps you get that smooth, creamy filling without lumps.
• When carving out the center of each roll, don’t cut all the way through: create just enough space to hold the fillings snugly.
• An electric mixer makes it easy to get a lump-free cream cheese filling; you can do it by hand, but be ready to put in some elbow grease.
• Be generous when brushing the butter and sugar mixture all over tops and crevices so you get a beautiful golden crust with a sweet crunch.
• Don’t overload the wells — a good spoonful of cream cheese topped with a spoonful of cherry pie filling is the perfect balance and keeps your pans clean. For a tropical twist, swap the cherry with a spoonful of homemade passion fruit curd.
• Remember, ovens vary — bake the danishes until golden and warmed through, typically 6–8 minutes, but feel free to add time if needed.
• If your icing is too runny, toss in a bit more powdered sugar until it thickens; if it’s too thick, a drop of milk at a time will loosen it up.
• Want them less sweet? Skip the butter/sugar glaze or use melted butter alone, and go easy on the icing drizzle.

Flavor Swaps and Add-Ins

• Switch up the cherry pie filling for peach, blueberry, apple, strawberry, or any other fruit pie filling you love—homemade apple pie filling works especially well.
• Give the icing a lovely twist by swapping vanilla for almond extract — it pairs beautifully with cherry.
• Sprinkle cinnamon sugar on the tops before baking for a cozy cinnamon-cherry spin.
• Drizzle melted chocolate over the iced danishes to amp up the indulgence.
• Add fresh lemon zest into your icing for a bright burst that pairs nicely with the cherry.
• If you can’t find Hawaiian rolls, grab any soft, slightly sweet dinner roll — they’ll work just as well here.

Storing and Reheating Guide

If you have leftovers (good luck with that!), keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, zap each danish in the microwave for 10–15 seconds or warm them in a 300°F oven for a few minutes until heated through. You can also prep these ahead of time by assembling (but not baking) and refrigerating the dish for up to 24 hours. Just let them sit out for about 20 minutes before baking. I don’t recommend freezing since the rolls soften too much and lose their nice texture once thawed. If you need a make-ahead dessert that’s designed to chill, try this No Bake Oreo Cheesecake.

Common Questions and Answers

Can I use other pie filling flavors?

Absolutely! If cherry pie filling isn’t your thing or you want to mix it up, try peach, blueberry, apple, or strawberry pie filling. They all work so well in these danishes.

Can I make these ahead of time?

Yes! You can assemble the danishes and refrigerate them, unbaked, up to 24 hours in advance. Just bring them to room temperature for about 20 minutes before baking.

Can I make these less sweet?

For sure! To cut down on sweetness, skip the butter/sugar topping or use plain melted butter only. Also, feel free to drizzle less icing or omit it completely.

Do I have to cut out the center of the rolls?

Yes, carving out a small well keeps the filling from spilling over as the danishes bake, making them much easier to handle and neater.

How else can I change up the icing?

Besides the almond extract swap for a cherry almond vibe, you can try sprinkling cinnamon sugar before baking for a cinnamon-cherry flavor, drizzling melted chocolate on top for a chocolaty treat, or mixing lemon zest into the icing for a bright citrus kick. If you love tropical notes, finish with a thin drizzle of coconut buttercream frosting for subtle coconut sweetness.

How do I store leftovers?

Keep leftover danishes in an airtight container in your fridge for up to 3 days. They’re delicious cold or lightly warmed.

Can I freeze Hawaiian Roll Cherry Danishes?

I don’t recommend freezing these because the rolls get too soft and lose their great texture once they thaw.

What’s the best way to reheat these danishes?

Heat them in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds or warm in a 300°F oven for a few minutes until just nice and warm.

Ingredients Needed: (See Recipe Card Below For The Full Recipe)

• Hawaiian Sweet Rolls – go with the store brand if you can. Pick sweet rolls specifically for the best soft texture and flavor.
• Cream cheese– softened to room temperature is key. If you’re pressed for time, check out my Tips to Soften Cream Cheese Faster. Remember, it should be soft but not melted.
• Powdered sugar – both for sweetening the filling and icing.
• Vanilla extract– you can swap all or part of it with almond extract for a lovely cherry-almond combo in the icing or filling.
• Cherry pie filling – store-bought is super convenient, but if you want to make homemade cherry pie filling, go for it! Feel free to try other pie fillings as well.
• Butter– salted or unsalted works here. Salted butter won’t make these taste salty since it’s lightly salted, but if you prefer, use unsalted.
• Granulated sugar – for the buttery topping glaze.
• Milk – I usually use whole milk for the icing to get that creamy richness. 2% milk will also work. I haven’t tested milk substitutes for this recipe.