Hot Honey Garlic Cream Cheese Baked Hawaiian Rolls

Delicious Bites From Disney

I tried these Hot Honey and Garlic Cream Cheese Baked Hawaiian Rolls for the first time at Disneyland and knew I had to recreate them at home. They’re soft, cheesy, and creamy with a pleasant balance of sweet and savory. They’re simple to assemble and bake up beautifully.

These rolls make a fantastic appetizer or a comforting side for soup or chili.

I served them to Mister Tipsy, who had enjoyed the original with me at Disneyland, and he declared these even better than the park version. I had to agree—they stayed soft and cheesy, even when reheated later that night.

There’s a full recipe card below, but first I’ve included photos and tips to help you along.

The Dirty Dozen

I recommend using King’s Hawaiian rolls for this recipe because they bake up soft and stay tender, but any connected pack of 12 dinner rolls will work. The key is that the rolls come attached so you can pull them apart after baking.

If you enjoy recipes made with dinner rolls, these are a great addition to your repertoire—rich, crowd-pleasing, and easy to scale for gatherings.

Lay It On Thick

The cream cheese filling in the recipe yields a generous amount. I prefer a thick layer—it’s rich and indulgent. If you need to stretch the filling, it can cover two packages (24 rolls) with a thinner layer, which is handy for larger crowds.

Perfect For The Holidays

These baked Hawaiian rolls are an ideal holiday appetizer. They combine softness, savory garlic, and sweet honey in a way that appeals to many palates. They also reheat well, making them a convenient make-ahead option for parties.

I made them in the morning and reheated them much later; they remained soft and flavorful—great for entertaining.

Yield: 12 Rolls

Hot Honey and Garlic Cream Cheese Baked Hawaiian Rolls

These rolls are soft, cheesy, and creamy with a bright honey and garlic finish. They come together quickly and make a delicious appetizer or side.

Ingredients

• 1 package of Hawaiian dinner rolls
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1/2 tablespoon garlic salt, or to taste
• 1.5 tablespoons honey
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1 teaspoon garlic salt, or to taste
• 2 teaspoons dried red pepper flakes
• 1 egg

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Remove the buns from the package and slice to separate the tops from the bottoms. Place the bottoms, still connected if possible, in a 9 x 12 baking pan. If a roll breaks off, push it close to the group so everything bakes evenly.
2. In a stand mixer or a bowl with a hand mixer, beat the cream cheese, mayonnaise, and 1 tablespoon garlic salt until light and fluffy.
3. Whisk the egg, then slowly fold it into the cream cheese mixture. Continue mixing on high until fully combined and airy.
4. In a small saucepan, melt the butter and add the remaining garlic salt, honey, and red pepper flakes. Warm on low for a few minutes, whisking to combine.
5. Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the roll bottoms, reaching to the edges. The recipe makes a generous layer; if desired, you can divide it to cover 24 rolls more thinly.
6. Place the roll tops over the cream cheese, then pour the butter-honey mixture slowly over all the buns. Use a pastry brush to coat tops, sides, and crevices for even coverage.
7. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, watching closely so the tops don’t over-brown. The buns should be soft and the filling puffed and airy when done.
8. Allow the rolls to rest a few minutes, then cut into 12 squares and serve warm.