Easy Cherry Danish Recipe with Hawaiian Rolls

Reasons You’ll Love This Recipe

• Ready in about 25 minutes: Short on time but still want something sweet? The actual bake time is only 5-8 minutes, making this one of the fastest cherry danish recipes you’ll find.
• No special equipment needed: A baking dish, a hand mixer, and a pastry brush are all you need. No rolling pins, no laminating dough, no pastry school required.
• Bakery-fresh flavor at home: The combination of warm, pillowy rolls, creamy filling, and glossy cherry topping tastes like something straight from a pastry case without the pastry case price tag.
• Easy to customize: Swap cherry pie filling for blueberry, peach, or apple, or add almond extract to the icing for a cherry almond twist. The base recipe works as a blank canvas for whatever you’re feeling.

What Are Hawaiian Rolls?

Hawaiian rolls are soft, slightly sweet dinner rolls that have become a kitchen staple for everything from sliders to holiday sides. Their tender, pillowy texture and hint of sweetness make them perfect for both savory recipes like Easy Cheeseburger Sliders and sweet recipes like this cherry danish. King’s Hawaiian is the most recognizable brand and easy to find at most grocery stores.

What makes them work so well here is that natural sweetness in the roll: it complements the cream cheese filling and cherry topping without needing much added sugar in the dough itself. The rolls also hold up well in the oven without drying out, keeping that soft, fresh texture even after baking.

Cherry Danish Recipe Ingredients

See the recipe card below for a complete list of ingredients and measurements.

• Hawaiian sweet rolls: The base of this recipe. Their soft, slightly sweet texture creates those perfect little wells once pressed down, and they bake up golden without getting tough or dry.
• Cream cheese, softened: Full-fat cream cheese gives you the richest, smoothest filling. Make sure it’s properly softened before beating or you’ll end up with lumps instead of that silky consistency you’re looking for.
• Powdered sugar: Just enough to sweeten the cream cheese filling without making it cloying. Powdered sugar dissolves seamlessly into the cream cheese for a smooth, lump-free mix.
• Vanilla extract: A small amount of vanilla rounds out the cream cheese filling and adds that familiar, warm bakery note. Pure vanilla extract gives the best flavor here.
• Cherry pie filling: The star of the show. Canned cherry pie filling is thick, glossy, and holds up perfectly during baking. You can swap it for blueberry, peach, or apple if cherry isn’t your thing.
• Melted butter: Mixed with granulated sugar, this gets brushed generously over the top of the rolls before baking. It creates that golden, slightly caramelized top that makes these taste like they came from a real pastry shop.
• Granulated sugar: Stirred into the melted butter for the topping. It adds a light crunch and a touch of caramelized sweetness on the outside of the rolls.
• Powdered sugar for icing: The base of the finishing drizzle that ties the whole thing together.
• Milk: Thins the icing to a drizzleable consistency. Add it gradually — you can always add a splash more if it’s too thick.
• Vanilla extract for icing: A little goes a long way here. It adds just enough flavor without overpowering the cherry.

Substitutions and Additions

• Pie filling swap: Blueberry, apple, or peach pie filling all work beautifully in place of cherry. Strawberry is another great option for a slightly sweeter result.
• Almond extract in the icing: Add 1/4 teaspoon of almond extract alongside the vanilla for a classic cherry almond flavor that tastes like a proper bakery pastry.
• Lemon zest: Stir a teaspoon of fresh lemon zest into the cream cheese filling to brighten it up and add a fresh contrast to the sweet cherry topping.
• Cinnamon sugar version: Sprinkle a mix of cinnamon and sugar over the rolls before baking for a cinnamon roll-meets-cherry danish flavor.
• Chocolate drizzle: Skip the vanilla icing and finish with a drizzle of melted chocolate for a chocolate cherry combo that feels extra indulgent.

How to Make This Cherry Danish Recipe (Step-by-Step)

STEP 1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and get your 9×13 baking dish ready. Cut a small square out of the center of each Hawaiian roll and nestle them into the baking dish, cut side up. You’re creating little wells for the filling.

STEP 2. In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla until completely smooth. (Photo 1)

STEP 3. Fill each roll with a generous spoonful of the cream cheese mixture, pressing it gently into the well. Spoon cherry pie filling over the cream cheese in each roll, making sure every one gets a good amount of fruit. (Photos 2 & 3)

STEP 4. Stir together melted butter and granulated sugar. Brush it all over the tops of the rolls, getting into the cracks for maximum flavor. Bake for 5-8 minutes until the tops are lightly golden and the rolls are warmed through. (Photo 4)

STEP 5. Mix powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth and pourable. Drizzle the icing over the warm rolls and serve right away for that fresh-from-the-oven experience. (Photos 5 & 6)

Recipe Tips

• Soften the cream cheese properly: Leave it at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before beating. Cold cream cheese won’t beat smoothly and will leave lumps in your filling.
• Don’t overbake: The rolls only need 5-8 minutes in the oven. You’re warming them through and getting a light golden color — not baking from scratch. Pull them as soon as the tops look golden.
• Extra bakery flavor: For a richer result, brush a second layer of melted butter over the rolls immediately after they come out of the oven, while they’re still hot.
• Get into the cracks: When brushing on the butter and sugar topping, really work it into all the gaps between the rolls. That’s where the flavor concentrates as it bakes.
• Prep ahead: Fill the rolls and refrigerate for up to 1 hour before adding the butter topping and baking if you need a head start.

Storing Tips

• Storage: These are best enjoyed the day they’re made while the rolls are still soft and the icing is fresh.
• Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The rolls will soften slightly, but will still taste great.
• Freezing: Freezing is not recommended for this recipe. The cream cheese filling and cherry topping change texture too much when frozen and thawed, and the rolls become overly soft.
• Reheating: Warm leftovers in the microwave in 15-20 second bursts until just heated through. You can also pop them in a 325°F oven for about 5 minutes for a slightly crispier result.

Serving Suggestions

These cherry danishes are a natural fit for brunch spreads, weekend breakfasts, or a casual dessert. Set them out alongside a fruit salad or a light egg dish for a well-rounded morning spread. If you’re already working with Hawaiian rolls, some Easy Cheeseburger Sliders with Hawaiian Rolls are a fun savory option for when you want to use up the rest of the pack at lunchtime.

For dessert pairings, these work really well next to something chocolate like these Easy Chocolate Banana Icebox Cake is a no-bake option that’s just as easy to throw together. If you’re making these for a party or holiday brunch, add a batch of Valentine’s Day Red Velvet Cake Balls to round out your sweet table with minimal effort.

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