Description
Soft, fluffy heart-shaped cinnamon rolls filled with buttery cinnamon sugar and finished with a sweet glaze — a charming homemade treat perfect for special occasions or cozy mornings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 tablespoons milk (for icing)
- Optional: 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Optional: toasted chopped pecans or almonds
- Optional: citrus zest (lemon or orange)
- Optional: red gel food coloring or pink sprinkles
- Optional: melted dark chocolate drizzle
Instructions
- Whisk flour, granulated sugar, and yeast in a large bowl. Heat milk and butter together until warm (about 105–110°F / 40–43°C) and butter is melted.
- Pour warm liquid into dry ingredients, add salt and egg, and stir to form dough. Knead on a floured surface for about 5 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for about 1 hour until doubled in size.
- Roll dough into a rectangle about 12×8 inches. Spread softened butter, then sprinkle cinnamon mixed with brown sugar evenly over the surface.
- Roll dough tightly into a log, cut into 1–1 1/4 inch pieces, and shape each piece into a heart by splitting and pinching edges together.
- Arrange on a lined baking sheet, cover, and let rise again for about 30 minutes until puffy.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 15–20 minutes until golden brown.
- Whisk powdered sugar with 1–2 tablespoons milk (and vanilla if desired) to form icing. Drizzle over warm rolls, decorate if desired, and serve.
Notes
- Use plant-based milk and dairy-free butter for a lactose-free variation.
- Instant yeast can replace active dry yeast with slightly reduced rise time.
- Store-bought dough can be used for quicker preparation.
- Keep dough slightly tacky during kneading for softer rolls.
- Roll tightly for defined swirls and better heart shapes.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
Keywords: heart shaped cinnamon rolls, cinnamon rolls recipe, sweet breakfast pastry, homemade rolls, holiday baking