Pineapple Cream Cheese Sweet Rolls
Sweet, tender yeast rolls swirled with a luscious pineapple cream cheese filling, topped with a tangy cream cheese drizzle. This tropical twist on the classic cinnamon roll is sure to be a hit at your next brunch!
This is a sponsored post, written by me, on behalf of Philadelphia Cream Cheese. All opinions expressed herein are straight from my heart.
Boy oh boy do I have a delicious treat for you guys today!
When Philadelphia Cream Cheese asked me to help them come up with a special Easter brunch recipe, I had pineapple on the brain. I don’t know- it’s just, when I think of Easter, I think of this pineapple-cream-cheese-lime-Jell-O™-mold-thing that was always served every year on Easter Sunday when I was a kid. We’d have that, and ham, and buttery Parker House rolls from the freezer section. All of those fruity, yeasty and creamy tastes were just so comforting and special and delicious.
So, today’s recipe is all about recreating those incredible springtime Easter flavors in brunch form.
I can’t say enough good things about these sweet rolls. The dough recipe is exactly like a Cinnabon. Truly. I have never come across another cinnamon roll recipe that nails the flavor and texture more dead-on. I’m talking gooey, yeasty, and rich. It’s pretty simple to throw together with just a few pantry staples, but you’ll want to plan ahead because there is a good bit of down time while you let the dough rise.
Using fresh pineapple in the filling gives these rolls the most incredibly sweet, tropical flavor! I know those big ol’ prickly things can be a little intimidating, but I promise you, cutting a whole pineapple is not a big deal at all if you know what you’re doing. I created a little video in my last post to show you just how fast and simple it can be. You’re looking at less than 4 minutes!
Your guest will swoon when they taste these! Serve a warm pan of these pineapple cream cheese sweet rolls at your next brunch- they are truly unforgettable!
Tools used to Create this Dish:
Thank you to Philadelphia Cream Cheese for allowing me to partner with them to create delicious recipes for the Easter season! This recipe was developed, tested, and photographed by Baking a Moment, and is not an original Philadelphia Cream Cheese recipe.
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Pineapple Sweet Rolls
Ingredients
For the Dough
- 3/4 cup (187.5 ml) warm water
- 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar
- 1/4 ounce (7.09 g) instant dry yeast, (1 packet)
- 1/3 cup (72.67 ml) vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) buttermilk
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 teaspoon (0.5 teaspoon) salt
- 5 cups (625 g) all-purpose flour
For the Filling
- 8 ounces (226.8 g) Philadelphia Cream Cheese, brick, softened
- 4 tablespoons (59.15 g) unsalted butter, (half a stick), softened
- 1/2 cup (60 g) powdered sugar
- 1 1/2 cups (247.5 g) roughly chopped pineapple, (about 1/2 fresh pineapple, peeled & cored)
For the Icing
- 4 ounces (113.4 g) Philadelphia Cream Cheese, (1/2 brick), softened
- 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon (0.5 teaspoon) vanilla extract
Instructions
Make the Dough:
- Place the warm water and sugar in a large mixing bowl, and sprinkle the yeast over the surface. Set aside for 5 minutes and allow the yeast to get foamy.
- Combine the oil, buttermilk, egg, and salt in a liquid measuring cup and stir together with a fork.
- Add to the yeast and water mixture, stirring to combine.
- Stir in the flour and mix on medium-low speed until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl (about 5 minutes.)
- Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Allow to rise in a warm place, for 1-2 hours.
Make the Filling:
- Place the cream cheese, butter, and powdered sugar in a mixing bowl and beat on medium speed until fluffy.
- Stir in the chopped pineapple.
Assemble the Rolls:
- Lightly mist a 9x13-inch glass baking dish with non-stick spray.
- Sprinkle the work surface with flour and pat the dough into a rectangle shape.
- Roll the dough out to a thickness of about 1/8-inch.
- Spread the filling evenly over the surface.
- Working from one long edge, carefully roll the dough into a log.
- Cut the log into 12 equal portions, and place each roll, cut side down, into the prepared dish.
- Allow the rolls to rise, in a warm place, for one hour.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and bake the rolls for 20-25 minutes, or until they are puffed and golden.
- Cool for 30 minutes, then drizzle with icing.
Make the Icing:
- Beat the cream cheese and powdered sugar together until smooth.
- Add the milk and vanilla.
Allie, these look so amazing – light, fluffy, and full of pineapple goodness! The addition of pineapple gives already-delicious cinnamon rolls a spring/summer makeover. And that cream cheese glaze looks absolutely amazing paired with the sweet pineapple filling. I’m always so amazed by how ingrained food memories can be – for you it’s pineapple at Easter and for me, a Thanksgiving cannot pass without pecan pie in one form or another!
Yes! So true! Food memories are so powerful. And I just love how nostalgic it can be when you taste something, and it brings you right back. Thanks so much Aida!
These sweet rolls look phenomenal, and the addition of pineapple sounds downright dreamy. I love the colors in these photos, too!
Thank you so much CakePants! I was going for a Spring-y look (even though it’s like 20 degrees outside, lol!). 😀
These are the perfect sweet rolls! I love how soft and tender they look and that fresh tropical pineapple filling sounds heavenly! They totally scream spring and I can just imagine how amazing your house must have smelled while these were baking up 🙂 <3 these!
Thanks Kelly! It did smell so good baking… hm I think I need to make them again, lol!
What a creative idea Allie! These sweet rolls look fantastic, would love to have them at my Easter brunch 🙂
Thank you Mira! They were sooo good! I just might have to make them again in a few weeks for Easter 😉
Now I know what you did with that pineapple you cut up! Still loving that core removal trick. Anyhow, these rolls are sure to dazzle Easter or whenever. Perfect for a 10 ish morning treat right before the “big meal” we eat around too. From start to finish ~ luscious. I love Philly Cream cheese, the knock off stuff just isn’t the same =)
Yes! Perfect for that. We do the same thing in my family. It’s so much fun! Thank you so much for the great comment, Laura 😀
Pineapple cream cheese?!? I am SO THERE! This look so good Allie, like a little plate of sunshine. YUM!
Aw you are the sweetest Jessica! Thank you so much my dear 🙂
Dear Allie, what marvelous rolls…the pineapple is such a wonderful idea. A perfect spring treat. xo, Catherine
Thank you so much Catherine! For some reason pineapple = easter for me. So glad you enjoyed! xoxo
Pineapple’s been on my brain a lot lately, so it’s like you read my mind! These look so soft and fluffy — pinned!
Thank you so much for pinning Marcie! I feel the same way about pineapple. For some reason it just says spring to me!
Yummm! Pineapple + cream cheese sounds heavenly for breakfast!
Sooo heavenly! Thank you so much Linda! <3
Those are about the happiest, spring-time pictures I can imagine! And the texture of your sweet rolls looks absolutely perfect. Then the pineapple!!!! Genius to add pineapple to sweet rolls. Love this, Allie!
The texture totally makes the whole recipe, Marissa! I can’t say enough good things about this dough- it is my FAVORITE! Thanks so much dear, hope you’re having a great night 🙂
Allie – I just freaked out when I saw these. I have a pineapple on my counter and need to put it to good use. Holy moly! I’m a huge ambrosia fan and I can imagine that adding a little coconut and mandarin orange to that filling would be fabulous. 😀
Oh my gosh YES!!! Do it! Do it! Do it! 😀
This is so fresh and beautiful. I would love one of these right out of the oven.
They were pretty insane warm, I will admit. Lol! Thank you so much Jocelyn! 😀
I love these rolls! The pineapple and cream cheese sound like a fantastic duo.
Oh, they so are! These were so ooey-gooey and delicious. My son went crazy! So glad you like them Jen! Thanks so much for the sweet comment 🙂
These just scream Spring to me!! Of course the tropical flavors make me happy 🙂
Haha I know you love anything tropical Zainab! I should have added coconut, right? Thank you so much sweetie <3
I Love these sweet rolls!!!!!!!!
Thank you so much Michal! 😀
These look and sound so delicious, I love pineapple.
I do too, Janette! It’s definitely one of my favorite fruits. So happy you liked; thank you!!
I love the combination of pineapple and cream cheese! This is such a wonderful treat for Easter and you’re pictures are just stunning!
Aw, thanks Kathleen! This was one of those photo shoots that I really struggled all the way through. Hate when that happens! But I’m glad to hear that you think they came out ok! Your pics are always so gorgeous so this means a lot coming from you 🙂
Get outta town! These look fan-freaking-tastic.
Thanks Jennie! My son went CRAZY for them, lol!
Wish I had one in front of me right now! Love that you put fresh pineapple in a sweet roll!
Thanks Jessica! They were a big hit with my kiddos. So glad you like them; thanks for the sweet comment, dear!
Allie, I love these pineapple cream cheese sweet rolls!!! love the tropical twist!!! I want these at my next brunch!! so beautiful!
Thank you so much Alice! My son was in love with these- he said they were the best thing I’ve ever made, lol! Hope you’re enjoying your time in Dallas sweetie!