These Valentine Heart-Shaped Cinnamon Rolls are a sweet and festive treat perfect for celebrating love!
Soft, fluffy rolls swirled with cinnamon sugar are shaped into adorable hearts and topped with a luscious cream cheese glaze. They’re as delightful to eat as they are to look at.
Kitchen Equipment Needed
- Rolling pin
- Mixing bowls
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Baking dish or sheet pan
- Stand mixer (optional)
- Pastry brush
Ingredients Overview
- Dough: Soft yeast dough provides the perfect base for fluffy rolls.
- Filling: A mixture of cinnamon, sugar, and butter creates the classic swirl.
- Glaze: A sweet cream cheese glaze adds richness and sweetness to the rolls.
Ingredients
Dough
- 3/4 cup warm milk (110°F/43°C)
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Filling
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Cream Cheese Glaze
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1–2 tablespoons milk (adjust for desired consistency)
Directions
Make the Dough
- Activate the yeast
In a small bowl, combine warm milk, yeast, and a teaspoon of sugar. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until frothy. - Mix the wet ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk the egg, melted butter, and the remaining sugar. Add the yeast mixture and stir to combine. - Form the dough
Gradually add the flour and salt, mixing until a dough forms. Knead by hand on a lightly floured surface for 6–8 minutes or use a stand mixer with a dough hook for 5 minutes, until smooth and elastic. - Rise
Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm place for 1–1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
Make the Filling
- Prepare the filling
In a small bowl, mix softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon into a spreadable paste.
Assemble the Cinnamon Rolls
- Roll out the dough
Punch down the risen dough and roll it out into a rectangle approximately 12×16 inches. - Spread the filling
Evenly spread the cinnamon sugar filling over the dough. - Shape the hearts
Roll up the dough tightly from both long edges toward the center until they meet in the middle. Slice the rolled dough into 1-inch pieces (you’ll get about 12 rolls). Pinch the bottom of each roll slightly to form a point, shaping them into hearts. - Arrange and rise
Place the rolls cut-side up in a greased baking dish or sheet pan, leaving some space between them. Cover and let them rise for 30–45 minutes, or until puffed.
Bake
- Preheat the oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). - Bake the rolls
Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until golden brown.
Make the Cream Cheese Glaze
- Mix the glaze
In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk. Mix until creamy.
Glaze and Serve
- Glaze the rolls
Spread the cream cheese glaze over the warm rolls. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Prep Time
20 minutes (plus rising time)
Bake Time
20–25 minutes
Total Time
2 hours
Nutrition (per roll, ~12 rolls)
- Calories: ~290
- Fat: ~12g
- Carbohydrates: ~40g
- Sugar: ~20g
- Protein: ~5g
Expert Tips
- Room temperature ingredients
Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature for the best texture. - Even slicing
Use unflavored dental floss to slice the rolls cleanly without squishing the dough. - Warm glaze
Glaze the rolls while they’re warm so it melts slightly into the crevices.
FAQs
Can I make these ahead?
Yes, assemble the rolls, cover, and refrigerate overnight. Let them come to room temperature and rise for 30–45 minutes before baking.
Can I freeze them?
Yes, freeze unbaked rolls after shaping. Thaw, rise, and bake as directed. Baked rolls can also be frozen and reheated.
What if I don’t have cream cheese?
Use a simple powdered sugar glaze by mixing powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla.
Storing & Reheating
- Storing: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Reheating: Warm in the microwave for 10–15 seconds or in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 5 minutes.
Substitutions & Variations
- Pink glaze: Add a few drops of red food coloring to the glaze for a festive Valentine’s touch.
- Add-ins: Sprinkle mini chocolate chips or chopped nuts over the filling for extra flavor.
- Gluten-free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend and adjust rising times as needed.
Valentine Heart-Shaped Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
These Valentine Heart-Shaped Cinnamon Rolls are a sweet and festive treat perfect for celebrating love! Soft, fluffy rolls swirled with cinnamon sugar are shaped into adorable hearts and topped with a luscious cream cheese glaze.
Equipment
- - Rolling pin
- Mixing bowls
- Measuring cups and spoons
- - Baking dish or sheet pan
- - Stand mixer (optional)
- - Pastry brush
Ingredients
- #### Dough
- - 3/4 cup warm milk 110°F/43°C
- - 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast 1 packet
- - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- - 1 large egg room temperature
- - 1/4 cup unsalted butter melted
- - 3 cups all-purpose flour
- - 1/2 teaspoon salt
- #### Filling
- - 1/4 cup unsalted butter softened
- - 1/2 cup brown sugar
- - 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- #### Cream Cheese Glaze
- - 4 oz cream cheese softened
- - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
- - 1 cup powdered sugar sifted
- - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- - 1–2 tablespoons milk adjust for desired consistency
Instructions
- #### Make the Dough
- **Activate the yeast**
- In a small bowl, combine warm milk, yeast, and a teaspoon of sugar. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until frothy.
- **Mix the wet ingredients**
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk the egg, melted butter, and the remaining sugar. Add the yeast mixture and stir to combine.
- **Form the dough**
- Gradually add the flour and salt, mixing until a dough forms. Knead by hand on a lightly floured surface for 6–8 minutes or use a stand mixer with a dough hook for 5 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
- **Rise**
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm place for 1–1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
- #### Make the Filling
- **Prepare the filling**
- In a small bowl, mix softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon into a spreadable paste.
- #### Assemble the Cinnamon Rolls
- **Roll out the dough**
- Punch down the risen dough and roll it out into a rectangle approximately 12x16 inches.
- **Spread the filling**
- Evenly spread the cinnamon sugar filling over the dough.
- **Shape the hearts**
- Roll up the dough tightly from both long edges toward the center until they meet in the middle. Slice the rolled dough into 1-inch pieces (you’ll get about 12 rolls). Pinch the bottom of each roll slightly to form a point, shaping them into hearts.
- **Arrange and rise**
- Place the rolls cut-side up in a greased baking dish or sheet pan, leaving some space between them. Cover and let them rise for 30–45 minutes, or until puffed.
- #### Bake
- **Preheat the oven**
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- **Bake the rolls**
- Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until golden brown.
- #### Make the Cream Cheese Glaze
- **Mix the glaze**
- In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk. Mix until creamy.
- #### Glaze and Serve
- **Glaze the rolls**
- Spread the cream cheese glaze over the warm rolls. Serve immediately and enjoy!
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