Easy Any Fruit Hawaiian Danishes (Small Batch Recipe)

  

If you love easy small‑batch baking, these Any Fruit Hawaiian Danishes are about to become your new favourite breakfast treat. Soft King’s Hawaiian rolls are transformed into tender, bakery‑style Danishes with a creamy vanilla‑kissed filling and your choice of fruit topping — cherry, blueberry, strawberry, peach, raspberry, or whatever you have on hand. 

They come together quickly, bake up beautifully golden, and deliver that perfect balance of sweet, creamy, and fruity without any fuss. Ideal for cooking for two, weekend brunching, or adding a little sunshine to an ordinary morning.

 

This tasty brunch bun was something I had seen on line and wanted to make for a while. I couldn't find the original recipe when it came to making them however, so I had to wing it.  I was able to find a few recipes but not the one I was looking for.  They all used pie filling and I wanted to use jam. Jam is something I always have in my fridge and I am always looking for ways to use it.

I have made something quite similar to this in the past, using puff pastry.  These Strawberry Almond Cream Cheese Danish are something we have always enjoyed. I had the Hawaiian rolls however and was keen to use them.

King’s Hawaiian rolls are a type of sweet, soft dinner roll made by the King’s Hawaiian bakery. They are distinguished from regular dinner rolls by their sweet flavor and ultra-soft, fluffy texture, which comes from the addition of sugar and eggs in the dough. These rolls are versatile and can be enjoyed as slider buns, mini sandwiches, French toast, or simply with butter.  We never used to be able to find them where I live but they are becoming more and more popular and available.

To be honest, I have never used them just as a roll. I have always only ever used them to make something else, such as these tasty Danishes I am sharing today.

These were really quick and easy to make and I have to say they are also incredibly delicious. Soft and sweet, with a nice cinnamon crust, and rich cream cheese and fruit filling. I used strawberry jam today as I have a huge Costco jar of Bonne Maman Strawberry preserves in my fridge that I am trying to use up, but really any kind of jam would work well, or even a variety.

This is a small batch recipe and makes only six small rolls, but can easily be doubled to make 12. I enjoyed one with a hot cup of herbal tea and it was so delicious I couldn't resist having a second one. The other four were quickly given away as I didn't think I could be trusted with them! I hope you will be tempted to give them a go!  I was really pleased with the results and I think you will be too!

 

INGREDIENTS NEEDED

TO MAKE

ANY FRUIT HAWAIIAN DANISHES

Quantities given are for a small-batch of six small Danishes. Simply double to make more.

For the rolls:

• 1/2 a package of Hawaiian rolls (6 rolls altogether)
• 1/4 cup (56g) butter, melted
• 1 1/2 TBS soft light brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• Softened butter for buttering the dish

For the filling:

• 4 ounces (113g) full fat cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1 large egg yolk (freeze the white for another use)
• 1 1/2 TBS granulated sugar
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 6 tsp of your favorite fruit preserves

To finish:

• 1/2 cup (65g) of icing sugar, sifted
• 1 to 1 1/2 TBS milk
• few drops of vanilla extract

 

VARIATIONS AND SUBSTITUTIONS

Fruit Variations: 

Experiment with different fruit fillings. Blueberry, raspberry, peach, and cherry would all create delicious desserts. 

Nutty Crunch: 

Add a fun crunch to your cream cheese Danish. Before baking, sprinkle chopped nuts like pecans or almonds on your dinner rolls. The sweet cream cheese filling goes very well with the texture of the nuts. 

 Citrus Zest: 

You can enhance the flavor of your cream cheese by adding some citrus zest. Lemon or orange zest adds a delicious bite to your cream cheese filling and helps to enhance the flavor of the Danish. 

Vary the Glaze: 

Instead of using the recommended icing, opt for something different. Maple glaze, a caramel or butterscotch drizzle, or even some chocolate fudge can all elevate the flavor profile of the Danish and create a fun, unique bite.

Use fruit filling instead of preserves:

Use tinned fruit pie filling instead of fruit preserves. This adds an altogether different texture and flavor profile to the mix and is a great way to use up leftover bits of pie filling if you have it.

 

HOW TO MAKE 

ANY FRUIT HAWAIIAN DANISHES

These are super simple and quick to make, making them perfect for impromptu brunches, etc.

1. Preheat the oven to 375*F/190*C/gas mark 5. Butter a 5 by 7-inch baking dish with 1 inch deep sides. (You want the buns to fit in the dish snuggly.)
2. Place your Hawaiian rolls into the dish. Using a sharp knife, hollow out the centers of each, discarding the cut pieces or saving them for another use. (Take care not to cut all the way through the bottom. Leave a nice shell to fill, about 1/2 inch thick.)
3. Whisk the melted butter together with the brown sugar and the cinnamon. Brush this mixture onto the insides of the cut rolls, all over the tops, and in the seams attaching them to each other. (This adds flavor, glazes the tops of the buns and helps to prevent the filling from soaking through the bottom.)
4. Whisk the softened cream cheese together with the egg yolk, granulated sugar and vanilla until smooth. Spoon this mixture into the cinnamon butter lined cavities in each roll, filling to the top. (The filling will puff up a bit in the oven while they are baking so don't overfill.)
5. Dollop 1 tsp of preserves onto the top center of each. (Less is more in this case. Hot jam really expands.)
6. Bake in the preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes or until the cream cheese filling has set.
7. Remove from the oven and leave to cool for 15 minutes. (It is important that they not be too hot when you glaze them or the glaze will melt.)
8. Whisk all of the ingredients for the icing together until smooth. Drizzle over top of the rolls.
9. Serve warm and enjoy! 

 

🍒HINTS AND TIPS FOR DELICIOUS DANISH SUCCESS🍒

1. Start with room‑temperature ingredients

Softened cream cheese, butter, and eggs blend smoothly and give the filling its velvety texture.

2. Cut the rolls carefully for neat “wells”

Use a small sharp knife to remove the tops cleanly — this helps the filling sit nicely without spilling.

3. Brush generously with the butter mixture

A pastry brush helps you coat both the tops and the inside of each cut roll evenly, giving every bite that caramel‑cinnamon richness.

4. Don’t skimp on the cream cheese filling

Fill each roll right to the top — the mixture sets beautifully in the oven and creates that classic Danish creaminess.

5. Add the fruit filling last for the prettiest look

A simple dollop on top gives that bakery‑style pop of color and flavor.

6. Bake uncovered so the tops caramelize

Leaving them uncovered helps the rolls brown lightly while the filling sets perfectly.

7. Let them cool down a bit before icing

A short 15‑minute cool time keeps the icing from melting into the rolls and helps it drizzle beautifully.

8. Line or butter your pan for easy cleanup

Parchment paper prevents sticking and makes cleanup effortless — especially with sticky fillings. Alternately you can butter the pan with some softened butter or spritz with a bit of baking spray.

9. Try fun variations

Swap the strawberry filling for blueberry, raspberry, peach, or cherry; add nuts; or change up the glaze for a new twist.

10. Store or freeze for later

They keep 3–4 days in the fridge or 2–3 months in the freezer — perfect for make‑ahead brunches.

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT MAKES THESE ANY FRUIT HAWAIIAN DANISHES SO EASY?

They use King’s Hawaiian rolls, so there’s no dough to mix, rise, or shape — you simply cut, fill, and bake.

HOW LONG DOES THE RECIPE TAKE FROM START TO FINISH?

Just  30 minutes total — about 10 minutes of prep and 20 minutes of baking. This does not include the brief resting time when done.

HOW MANY SERVINGS DOES THIS RECIPE MAKE?

You’ll get six Danishes, perfect for brunch or a sweet breakfast treat. This recipe can easily be doubled to make more.

CAN THESE BE MADE AHEAD OF TIME?

Yes — they keep well in the fridge for 3–4 days in an airtight container.

CAN THESE BE FROZEN?

Absolutely. Freeze them in a freezer‑safe bag for 2–3 months. Just be sure to label and date your package.

WHAT OTHER FRUIT FILLINGS CAN I USE?

You can use any fruit preserve that you enjoy.  Strawberry, peach, plum, cherry, blueberry, etc. All work well. You can even use fruit pie filling instead of preserves.

WHAT CAN I SERVE WITH THESE DANISHES FOR A BRUNCH?

These go very well with eggs, bacon, sausage, whipped cream, ice cream or even ham and egg muffins.

 

A FEW OTHER DELICIOUS RECIPES

USING HAWAIIAN SLIDER ROLLS

If you keep a packet of these handy rolls in the freezer, you are never very far away from something delicious and easy to make for the family! These are small batch recipes which are very easily multiplied to feed more as needed.

LEMON FILLED BREAKFAST BUNS - A soft, sweet Hawaiian roll becomes something magical in this small‑batch brunch treat: each bun is cut, drenched in buttery lemon‑honey glaze, filled generously with lush lemon curd, and baked until the tops turn golden, crackly, and irresistible. A fresh lemon drizzle and bright zest finish them off, creating warm, citrusy buns that are astonishingly easy, beautifully special, and guaranteed to delight any lemon lover.

CORDON BLEU SLIDERS - A cozy small‑batch twist on a party classic, these Cordon Bleu Sliders layer tender ham, melty Swiss, and juicy roast turkey between soft rolls, all brushed with buttery garlic and baked until hot and gooey. A duo of sauces — honey‑mustard mayo on the bottom and cranberry‑horseradish on top — brings sweet, tangy, and zippy flavors that make every bite feel indulgent and “blue‑ribbon” special. Perfect for two, they’re easy, comforting, and irresistibly moreish.

 

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Yield: 3 servings

Author: Marie Rayner

Any Fruit Hawaiian Danishes (a small batch)

Prep time: 10 MinCook time: 20 MinInactive time: 15 MinTotal time: 45 Min

I small batched a simple, quick and easy Dessert Danish that I found online and adapted it to use any type of fruit filling, in addition to the cheese filling. This uses the Hawaiian rolls. They have a rich cream cheese filling, a sweet fruit topping and a simple vanilla glaze. This recipe can easily be doubled.

Ingredients

For the rolls:

• 1/2 a package of Hawaiian rolls (6 rolls altogether)
• 1/4 cup (56g) butter, melted
• 1 1/2 TBS soft light brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• Softened butter for buttering the dish

For the filling:

• 4 ounces (113g) full fat cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1 large egg yolk (freeze the white for another use)
• 1 1/2 TBS granulated sugar
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 6 tsp of your favorite fruit preserves

To finish:

• 1/2 cup (65g) of icing sugar, sifted
• 1 to 1 1/2 TBS milk
• few drops of vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375*F/190*C/gas mark 5. Butter a 5 by 7-inch baking dish with 1 inch deep sides.
2. Place your Hawaiian rolls into the dish. Using a sharp knife, hollow out the centers of each, discarding the cut pieces or saving them for another use.
3. Whisk the melted butter together with the brown sugar and the cinnamon. Brush this mixture onto the insides of the cut rolls, all over the tops, and in the seams attaching them to each other.
4. Whisk the softened cream cheese together with the egg yolk, granulated sugar and vanilla until smooth. Spoon this mixture into the cinnamon butter lined cavities in each roll, filling to the top.
5. Dollop 1 tsp of preserves onto the top center of each.
6. Bake in the preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes or until the cream cheese filling has set.
7. Remove from the oven and leave to cool for 15 minutes.
8. Whisk all of the ingredients for the icing together until smooth. Drizzle over top of the rolls.
9. Serve warm and enjoy!

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