Description
These Valentine Heart Shaped Cinnamon Rolls are the perfect sweet treat for a special morning or celebration. Soft, fluffy dough filled with a rich cinnamon-sugar mixture, rolled into heart shapes and drizzled with sweet cream cheese frosting—these are as delicious as they are adorable!
Ingredients
Scale
For the Dough:
- 1 cup Warm Milk (110°F or 45°C)
- 2 1/4 tsp Active Dry Yeast (1 packet)
- 1/4 cup Granulated Sugar
- 1/4 cup Unsalted Butter, softened
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 3 1/2 cups All-Purpose Flour (plus extra for rolling)
- 1 large Egg
For the Cinnamon Filling:
- 1/2 cup Unsalted Butter, softened
- 3/4 cup Brown Sugar, packed
- 2 tbsp Ground Cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp Salt
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 4 oz Cream Cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup Unsalted Butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups Powdered Sugar
- 1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 1–2 tbsp Milk (to reach desired consistency)
Instructions
- Prepare the dough:
In a small bowl, combine the warm milk, yeast, and granulated sugar. Stir until the yeast is dissolved, then let it sit for about 5-10 minutes, until it becomes foamy. - In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, salt, and vanilla extract. Add the yeast mixture and the egg, and stir to combine. Gradually add the flour, 1/2 cup at a time, until a soft dough forms.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5-7 minutes, or until it becomes smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
- Prepare the cinnamon filling:
In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Mix until smooth and well combined. - Shape the rolls:
Once the dough has risen, punch it down and transfer it to a lightly floured surface. Roll the dough into a rectangle (about 12×18 inches). - Spread the cinnamon filling evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
- Starting at one edge, roll the dough tightly into a log. Slice the log into 8-10 equal pieces.
- To create the heart shape, take each slice and roll it into a ball, then pinch the top slightly to form the top of the heart. Lay each shaped piece of dough in a greased baking pan, arranging them close together.
- Bake the rolls:
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Let the rolls rise for an additional 15-20 minutes, then bake for 18-20 minutes, or until golden brown. - Make the frosting:
While the rolls are baking, prepare the cream cheese frosting by beating the cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, then beat in the milk a little at a time until the frosting is smooth and spreadable. - Serve:
Once the rolls are done baking, allow them to cool for about 10 minutes before drizzling with the cream cheese frosting. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- If you want to make these ahead, you can prepare the rolls up to the point of baking, then cover them with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. The next morning, just let them sit at room temperature for 20 minutes before baking.
- Feel free to add a few drops of food coloring to the frosting for a festive touch, or top the rolls with sprinkles for extra fun!
- You can use store-bought frosting if you’re in a pinch, but homemade is always better!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus rise time)
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: cinnamon rolls, heart-shaped, Valentine’s Day, dessert, sweet rolls, cream cheese frosting