Boston Cream Pie Roll “Donuts”
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Published
I’m always up for a shortcut dessert, and these Boston Cream Pie Roll “Donuts” totally deliver. Soft King’s Hawaiian rolls get filled with a fluffy vanilla cream, topped with a simple chocolate glaze, and turned into an easy handheld treat inspired by Boston cream pie. They’re easy (no frying involved!), beginner-friendly, nostalgic, and perfect when you want something sweet without making dough from scratch.
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Since Boston cream pie is one of my favorite desserts (and I can never pass up a Boston kreme donut), this shortcut recipe was an easy yes for me. There’s no frying, no rising dough, just simple ingredients you can grab at just about any grocery store.
I brush each Hawaiian roll with melted butter and toast them until lightly golden, then fill them with an easy vanilla cream made with whipped topping and instant vanilla pudding, which makes them feel a little like cream-filled donuts. Then the simple chocolate ganache pulls everything together and gives them a classic Boston cream pie finish. These Boston cream roll “donuts” are honestly one of the easiest desserts you can make, whether you bake all the time or hardly ever.
If you love the sound of these Boston cream rolls, then you need to try my Boston cream cupcakes next!
Helpful Tips & Variations
- Don’t cut all the way through. I only make a small pocket in the side of each roll. It should be just big enough for the piping bag nozzle to fit in. Avoid slicing through to the other side as the filling will spill out as you fill the rolls.
- Semisweet chocolate works best. Semisweet gives these rolls the closest flavor to a classic Boston cream topping. I also love how it balances the sweetness of the rolls and filling nicely. Dark chocolate will work too, but I wouldn’t use milk or white chocolate here since they’ll make the finished rolls overly sweet.
- Swap the Cool Whip. If you don’t want to use Cool Whip, you can replace it with an equal amount of homemade whipped cream. Beat ¾ cup cold heavy whipping cream with 2 tablespoons powdered sugar to make 1 1⁄2 cups of whipped cream.
Boston Cream Pie Roll “Donuts”
Ingredients
- 1 (12 count) package King's Hawaiian sweet rolls, separated
- 4 tbsp butter, melted
- 3.5 oz. package Jello vanilla instant pudding mix
- 1½ cups Cool Whip, thawed (see note)
- 1¾ cups cold milk, divided
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- pinch of salt
- ¾ cup semisweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350℉. Brush rolls with melted butter on all sides and place on a baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven until lightly browned and toasted, 5 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack, so they don't get soggy.
- In a mixing bowl, vigorously whisk together the pudding mix, 1½ cups cold milk, vanilla, and salt until well combined and thickened. Fold in whipped topping. Refrigerate for 10 minutes to set up; transfer filling to a piping bag or a plastic bag. (Make a small cut in the corner if using a plastic bag.)
- Use a paring knife to make a small cut into one side of each roll, creating an opening large enough to pipe filling into without going all the way through. Fill each hole with about 1 to 1 1⁄2 tablespoons filling.
- Heat remaining ¼ cup milk in the microwave, until it's steaming but not boiling, 30 to 40 seconds. Place chocolate chips in a shallow bowl, and pour in hot milk. Let stand 10 seconds; stir until smooth. (If necessary, heat in the microwave 15 seconds to finish melting the chocolate.)
- Line a tray with parchment. Dip the top of each filled roll in the melted chocolate, let any excess drip off; place on the tray to cool completely and for chocolate to harden slightly, about 20 minutes, or refrigerate for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information given is an automatic calculation and can vary based on the exact products you use and any changes you make to the recipe. If these numbers are very important to you, I would recommend calculating them yourself.
Did you make this? Leave a rating below!How to Make Boston Cream Pie Roll “Donuts” Step by Step
Gather all of your ingredients.
Brush with butter: Preheat your oven to 350°F and using 4 tbsp melted butter, brush 12 separated King’s Hawaiian sweet rolls on all sides.
Bake: Now place the rolls on a baking sheet. Bake for about 5 minutes, or until lightly toasted and golden. Transfer the rolls to a wire rack so they don’t get soggy.
Make the filling: Whisk together a 3.5-oz. package Jello vanilla instant pudding mix, 1½ cups cold milk, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt in a medium mixing bowl until thickened and smooth.
Gently fold in 1½ cups thawed Cool Whip, then refrigerate the filling for 10 minutes to help it set. Once set, spoon the filling into a piping bag or a plastic bag with a small corner snipped off.
Fill the rolls: Use a paring knife to cut a small pocket into the side of each toasted roll, being careful not to slice all the way through. Pipe about 1 to 1½ tbsp of the pudding filling into each roll.
Make the topping: Microwave the remaining ¼ cup cold milk for 30-40 seconds, until hot and steaming but not boiling. Add the ¾ cup semisweet chocolate chips to a shallow bowl, then pour the hot milk over the top. Let it sit for about 10 seconds, then stir until smooth and glossy.
If needed, microwave the mixture for another 15 seconds to fully melt the chocolate.
Top the rolls: Line a tray or baking sheet with parchment paper. Dip the top of each filled roll into the chocolate glaze, letting any extra drip off, then place them on the prepared tray.
Let the chocolate set for about 20 minutes at room temperature, or chill your Hawaiian roll Boston cream donuts for 5-10 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Serving Suggestions
These Boston cream pie roll donuts are delicious for breakfast, brunch, or dessert, but I especially love them with an afternoon coffee. A regular cup of coffee works great, a hot Irish coffee feels extra fun, and if you want something cold, a mocha frappuccino, iced coffee, or even a glass of milk is always a good idea.
Make Ahead and Storing Leftovers
- Make ahead. The cream filling can be mixed and stored in the fridge for up to 1-2 days in advance.
- Fridge. These are best enjoyed fresh if possible. Any leftover Boston cream Hawaiian rolls can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Note that the pudding will thicken and soften the rolls a bit more as they sit.
More Easy Donut Recipes
- My Mini Donut Muffins are soft, bite-sized treats baked until tender, then brushed with butter and rolled in cinnamon sugar.
- Air Fryer Donuts use refrigerated biscuits for a super quick shortcut treat with no dough making, no frying, and hardly any mess.
- These Brownie Donuts are fudgy bronuts packed with plenty of chocolate flavor!
I hope you love this delicious and easy recipe – be sure to give it a review below! Also don’t forget to follow Belly Full on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube!
