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Heart Shaped Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

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4.4 from 7 reviews

These Heart Shaped Cinnamon Rolls are a delightful twist on classic cinnamon rolls, perfect for special occasions like Valentine’s Day or any time you want to impress with a charming, homemade treat. Soft, fluffy, and buttery dough is rolled with a cinnamon-sugar filling, shaped into adorable hearts, baked to golden perfection, and topped with a creamy sweet icing.

Ingredients

Dough

  • ¾ cup milk
  • ⅓ cup butter
  • 3¼ cups all-purpose flour, divided
  • ¼ cup white granulated sugar
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 package active quick rise yeast (about 2¼ teaspoons)
  • 1 large egg

Filling

  • 4 tablespoons butter, melted
  • ¾ cup light brown sugar, packed
  • 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon

Icing

  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup butter, softened
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 tablespoon heavy cream

Instructions

  1. Warm Milk and Butter: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the milk and ⅓ cup butter. Stir occasionally until the butter melts completely and the mixture is warm but not boiling. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients & Yeast: In a large mixing bowl, combine 2¼ cups of the flour with the granulated sugar, salt, and active quick rise yeast. Pour in the lukewarm milk and butter mixture and mix together. Add the egg and incorporate thoroughly until a sticky dough begins to form.
  3. Knead the Dough: Using a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, knead the dough while gradually adding the remaining 1 cup of flour, just until the dough forms a smooth ball and pulls away from the sides of the bowl. If kneading by hand, add flour as needed and knead on a floured surface until smooth and elastic.
  4. Rest the Dough: Cover the dough and let it rest for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  5. Roll and Fill Dough: On a floured surface, roll out the dough into a large rectangle. Evenly spread the melted butter over the dough surface. In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar and ground cinnamon, then sprinkle the mixture evenly over the buttered dough. Using a knife or pizza cutter, cut the dough into 10 long strips.
  6. Form Heart Shapes: Take each strip and roll each end inward until the two ends meet in the middle, forming a heart shape. Turn each heart on its side.
  7. Adjust Heart Shape: Gently pull down the bottom point of each heart with your finger to stretch it slightly, enhancing the heart shape. Lightly pinch the bottom of the heart to secure it.
  8. Arrange and Rise: Place each heart-shaped roll into a greased bread pan, spacing slightly apart. Turn the oven off and cover the rolls with a damp towel. Allow the rolls to rise in the warm oven for 25 minutes until puffed.
  9. Bake the Rolls: Remove the dough from the oven, turn the oven back on to 350°F (175°C), and bake the rolls for 10 to 12 minutes, or until they are lightly golden brown on top.
  10. Prepare and Add Icing: While the rolls bake, beat together the softened cream cheese, softened butter, powdered sugar, and heavy cream until smooth and creamy. Once the rolls have cooled slightly, drizzle or spread the icing generously over the warm cinnamon rolls.

Notes

  • Make sure the milk mixture is warm and not hot before adding yeast, as heat can kill the yeast.
  • Resting the dough helps gluten develop and improves texture.
  • You can prepare the rolls ahead and refrigerate after shaping to bake fresh the next day.
  • Use light brown sugar for a softer texture; dark brown sugar will add more molasses flavor.
  • Store leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or freeze for longer storage.
  • For a dairy-free version, substitute butter and cream cheese with plant-based alternatives.

Find it online: https://bitezly.com/heart-shaped-cinnamon-rolls-recipe/