The King’s Hawaiian Cheesecake Danish is the sweet, creamy treat you never knew you needed but won’t be able to stop making. Imagine the pillowy softness of King’s Hawaiian rolls, layered with a tangy, luscious cheesecake filling and bright strawberry jam, all baked to golden perfection. This nostalgic, bakery-worthy dessert comes together in under 30 minutes and brings a crowd-pleasing wow factor whether you serve it for brunch, a holiday gathering, or a spontaneous weekday pick-me-up. If you love the marriage of fruit, cream, and fluffy bread, you’re about to fall head over heels for this delight.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The brilliance of this recipe is in its simplicity—the ingredients are few, but each one plays a special role in making the King’s Hawaiian Cheesecake Danish irresistibly good. Let’s take a closer look at what you’ll need and why each element matters:
- King’s Hawaiian Original Sweet Rolls (1 package, 12 rolls): These iconic rolls bring a soft, sweet foundation with a subtle tropical flavor that elevates any filling.
- Cream Cheese (8 oz, softened): The heart of the cheesecake filling; make sure it’s softened for super smooth, velvety results.
- Granulated Sugar (1/4 cup): Just the right touch of sweetness to balance the tang of the cream cheese and complement the roll’s flavor.
- Vanilla Extract (1 teaspoon): A dash of vanilla gives warmth and really makes the filling taste like classic cheesecake.
- Lemon Juice (1/2 teaspoon): Adds brightness and a subtle zing that keeps the dessert from being too heavy.
- Strawberry Jam or Preserves (1/2 cup): Brings a fruity, glossy layer that’s both beautiful and delicious. Try your favorite flavor!
- Egg (1, beaten, for egg wash): Helps the tops bake to a shiny, golden brown for appealing bakery-style results.
- Powdered Sugar (for dusting, optional): For a little flourish and extra sweetness on top, sprinkle before serving.
How to Make King’s Hawaiian Cheesecake Danish
Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Sheet
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a large baking sheet with parchment paper. This makes cleanup a breeze and ensures your King’s Hawaiian Cheesecake Danish won’t stick as it bakes.
Step 2: Prep the Rolls
Without pulling the rolls apart, carefully slice the entire sheet of King’s Hawaiian rolls horizontally, creating a top and a bottom section. Keeping the rolls connected helps hold all that luscious filling together. Place the bottom half on your prepared baking sheet.
Step 3: Make the Cheesecake Filling
In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and lemon juice until everything is creamy and completely smooth. Taking an extra minute here ensures your filling is super silky and cloud-like—trust me, it’s worth it!
Step 4: Layer the Filling
Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the bottom layer of rolls, almost like you’re icing a cake. Next, gently spoon and spread the strawberry jam right over the cream cheese. The sweet fruit layer will bake into a gooey, irresistible ribbon.
Step 5: Assemble and Add the Egg Wash
Set the top half of the rolls back on and press down gently to help seal everything in. Lightly brush the tops with the beaten egg; this simple step gives your King’s Hawaiian Cheesecake Danish that gorgeous, professional sheen and golden color.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Slide your baking sheet into the oven and bake for 15–18 minutes. Watch for the rolls to turn beautifully golden and the cream cheese layer to set. Your kitchen will smell positively heavenly!
Step 7: Cool, Dust, and Serve
Let your Danish cool slightly before slicing it into individual servings. Dust with powdered sugar if you want to add a touch of elegance. Now you’re ready to enjoy warm from the oven or at room temperature—the King’s Hawaiian Cheesecake Danish shines either way.
How to Serve King’s Hawaiian Cheesecake Danish
Garnishes
A little flourish goes a long way! Try a light dusting of powdered sugar, a drizzle of melted white chocolate, or scatter a few fresh strawberry slices and mint leaves on top to make your King’s Hawaiian Cheesecake Danish feel extra festive.
Side Dishes
If you’re serving this as part of a brunch spread, balance the sweetness with a bowl of fresh fruit or a platter of crisp bacon. For dessert, you can’t go wrong with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of lightly sweetened whipped cream alongside each warm Danish.
Creative Ways to Present
Slice your Danish into mini squares for a bite-sized party dessert, or plate each piece on small plates with a drizzle of berry coulis. For an elegant touch, stack slices on a cake stand and let guests serve themselves buffet-style during celebrations.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Place any leftover King’s Hawaiian Cheesecake Danish in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. The flavors meld beautifully overnight, making tomorrow’s treat even better!
Freezing
Yes, you can freeze King’s Hawaiian Cheesecake Danish! Cool completely, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil, and freeze for up to one month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator for best results.
Reheating
To reheat, place slices on a baking sheet and warm in a 300°F oven for about 10 minutes, or until heated through. This brings back the fluffy texture while the filling gets just the right amount of creamy.
FAQs
Can I use a different flavor of jam?
Absolutely! Raspberry, blueberry, or even apricot jam will give your King’s Hawaiian Cheesecake Danish a new twist, so feel free to experiment with what you love or what’s on hand.
Can I make this recipe ahead for a party?
Yes, you can assemble the Danish (without baking) up to 6 hours ahead, then cover and refrigerate. Bake just before serving for freshest results and that irresistible aroma.
How do I keep the rolls from getting soggy?
Be sure to bake until golden and allow the Danish to cool slightly before slicing. Baking long enough sets the filling, while letting it cool helps all the layers hold together nicely.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
This King’s Hawaiian Cheesecake Danish is not gluten-free as written, but you could try substituting with your favorite gluten-free sweet rolls for a similar effect. Just be mindful of texture changes.
Does this work with mini rolls or sliders?
Yes! If you find King’s Hawaiian mini rolls, follow the same process and adjust filling amounts for miniature treats—these are perfect for showers, parties, or when you want dessert “just because.”
Final Thoughts
Desserts that wow are great, but the truly memorable ones are easy to make, share, and devour—just like the King’s Hawaiian Cheesecake Danish. Next time you want to bring a little extra joy to your table, bake up a batch and watch every bite disappear. Trust me, your friends and family will ask for this recipe over and over!
Print
King’s Hawaiian Cheesecake Danish Recipe
- Total Time: 28 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the sweet and creamy goodness of King’s Hawaiian Cheesecake Danish made with soft sweet rolls, decadent cream cheese, and fruity jam. This easy dessert is perfect for any occasion!
Ingredients
King’s Hawaiian Cheesecake Danish:
- 1 package (12 rolls) King’s Hawaiian Original Sweet Rolls
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1/2 cup strawberry jam or preserves
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- powdered sugar (for dusting, optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Slice and prepare rolls: Slice the entire sheet of King’s Hawaiian rolls in half horizontally, keeping the rolls connected. Place the bottom half on the prepared baking sheet.
- Prepare cream cheese mixture: In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar, vanilla extract, and lemon juice until smooth and fluffy.
- Assemble the danish: Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the bottom layer of the rolls. Spoon and gently spread the strawberry jam over the cream cheese layer. Place the top half of the rolls over the filling and gently press down.
- Brush with egg wash and bake: Brush the tops with the beaten egg for a golden finish. Bake for 15–18 minutes, or until golden brown and the filling is set.
- Cool and serve: Let cool slightly, then dust with powdered sugar if desired. Slice into individual danishes and serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- You can substitute strawberry jam with raspberry or blueberry for variety.
- For a deeper flavor, add a dash of almond extract to the cream cheese mixture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
