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Heart-Shaped Cinnamon Rolls

February 14, 2010 by Nicole 75 Comments

Heart-Shaped Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Icing

Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone!

On a whim, I decided to try making heart-shaped cinnamon rolls for a fun Valentine’s Day treat.  I had no idea if it would work, but I was thrilled  with the results. 

They turned out so cute, I had to share the technique with you even if it’s a bit late to make them for today’s Valentine’s breakfast.

But who says you can only eat heart-shaped food on Valentine’s Day? These would be a perfect treat for yourself or your loved ones anytime of the year!

heart-shaped cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Icing

You can make heart-shaped rolls from pretty much any cinnamon roll recipe, but I happen to really like a dough made with buttermilk. 

I improvised the dough for these rolls from the cinnamon bun recipe in The Bread Baker’s Apprentice.  Enjoy!

How to Make Heart-Shaped Cinnamon Rolls

First, make the cinnamon roll dough. You can use a stand mixer to mix and knead the dough or you can start the dough using a hand mixer and then do the kneading by hand.

Once the dough is finished, you will need to let it rise for about an hour and a half.

Once the dough has risen then had a chance to rest, you will roll it out into a 20″ x 7 ” rectangle. 

Next, brush surface of dough with melted butter then sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture evenly over the dough. 

Finally, gently press the sugar down into the dough with the palm of your hand.

Rolling Cinnamon Roll Dough

Starting on a long side, begin rolling the dough towards the center, stopping before reaching the very center. 

Repeat with other side then roll the two sides together until they meet in the middle.  Gently press together.

Rolling Cinnamon Rolls

Slice the rolls into one-inch pieces then transfer to parchment or silpat-lined baking sheets. 

You will then shape the pieces into hearts by pinching the bottom of the roll between two fingers.

Shaping the Rolls

You should end up with about 20 -24 cinnamon rolls, divided between two baking sheets. 

Cover the baking sheets with greased plastic wrap and let cinnamon rolls rise for 45 minutes.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees during last 15 minutes of rising time.

Cut and shaped Cinnamon Rolls

Bake cinnamon rolls at 350 degrees for a total of 15 minutes (or until lightly browned), rotating sheets from top to bottom halfway through baking time if using two oven racks.

Baked Cinnamon Rolls
Heart-Shaped Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Icing
Heart-Shaped Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Icing

Heart-Shaped Cinnamon Rolls

Yield: 24
Prep Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Additional Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 3 hours

Perfect for valentine's day, these heart-shaped cinnamon rolls are easy to shape and can be made from just about any cinnamon roll recipe.

Ingredients

  • 4 tablespoons butter (1/2 stick), softened
  • 4 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 egg, at room temperature
  • 2 cups flour (plus extra as needed)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons instant yeast (or use rapid rise or bread machine yeast)
  • 1/2 cup warm buttermilk (90 – 110 degrees F)
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter
  • 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 heaping teaspoon cinnamon

Instructions

Cream butter and sugar using a stand mixer, or in a large mixing bowl with a hand mixer, until light and fluffy; beat in egg.

In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, salt, and yeast. Add buttermilk and flour mixture to the butter mixture and mix on low speed until all the flour is incorporated.

If using a stand mixer, switch to the dough hook and knead on medium speed for 6 minutes, adding a bit of flour if necessary to form a very soft dough (will most likely be very sticky and that’s fine). If kneading by hand, scrape dough onto a floured surface and knead, adding only as much flour as necessary to keep dough from sticking, for 8 to 10 minutes.

Place dough in an oiled bowl and turn once to coat both sides of dough with oil. Cover and let rise in a warm spot for about an hour and a half.

Gently push dough down to deflate and turn out onto a floured surface. Press dough out into a small rectangle then cover and let rest for ten minutes.

Meanwhile, mix together brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl.

After dough rests, roll it out into a 20″ x 7 ” rectangle. Brush surface of dough with melted butter then sprinkle cinnamon sugar mixture evenly over the dough. Gently press the sugar down into the dough with the palm of your hand.

Starting on a long side, begin rolling the dough towards the center, stopping before reaching the very center. Repeat with other side then roll the two sides together until they meet in the middle. Gently press together.

Slice the rolls into one-inch pieces then transfer to parchment or Silpat-lined baking sheets. Shape the pieces into hearts by pinching the bottom of the roll between two fingers.

You should end up with 20 -24 cinnamon rolls, divided between two baking sheets. Cover with greased plastic wrap and let cinnamon rolls rise for 45 minutes. Preheat oven to 350 degrees during last 15 minutes of rising time.

Bake cinnamon rolls at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes (or until lightly browned), rotating sheets from top to bottom halfway through baking time if using two oven racks.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

  • KitchenAid Stand Mixer
    KitchenAid Stand Mixer
  • Fat Daddio's Decorating Tip Set, 12 Piece
    Fat Daddio's Decorating Tip Set, 12 Piece
  • Commercial Baker's Half Sheet Pans
    Commercial Baker's Half Sheet Pans
  • AmazonBasics Silicone Baking Mat Sheet, Set of 2
    AmazonBasics Silicone Baking Mat Sheet, Set of 2
  • Cooling, Roasting and Baking Racks, set of 2
    Cooling, Roasting and Baking Racks, set of 2
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 24 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 87Total Fat: 3gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 16mgSodium: 81mgCarbohydrates: 13gFiber: 0gSugar: 5gProtein: 2g
© Nicole Cross
Cuisine: American / Category: Desserts
Cream Cheese Glaze

Cream Cheese Glaze

Yield: 1 cup
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes

This cream cheese glaze is wonderful smeared over the top of fresh baked cinnamon rolls.

Ingredients

  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 3 ounces butter, softened
  • 1 cup powdered sugar (more to taste, if desired)
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • splash of milk to thin, if desired

Instructions

Beat together cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy. Add vanilla then gradually beat in powdered sugar.

Spread glaze on warm cinnamon rolls and serve immediately. You may also thin the glaze with a bit of milk to drizzle over the rolls, or decorate cooled rolls using a piping bag and decorating tip.

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 24 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 60Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 12mgSodium: 38mgCarbohydrates: 5gFiber: 0gSugar: 5gProtein: 0g
© Nicole Cross
Cuisine: American / Category: Desserts

Filed Under: Adventures in Baking, Breakfast/Brunch, Desserts, Holiday

Previous Post: « Bread Baker’s Apprentice Challenge: Lavash Crackers
Next Post: Bread Baker’s Apprentice Challenge: Light Wheat Bread »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Ally @ Sweet & Savory says

    February 17, 2010 at 10:47 am

    How cute! I've never made homemade cinnamon rolls, but have always wanted to try!
    Reply
  2. Georgia.Pellegrini says

    February 17, 2010 at 7:22 pm

    Aw those are precious! And it's looks so easy to do, I am suprised I haven't seen more like that. What a special way to start the morning!
    Reply
  3. cheffresco says

    February 19, 2010 at 7:15 pm

    These are adorable! So perfect for v-day.
    Reply
  4. The Teacher Cooks says

    February 19, 2010 at 8:45 pm

    I love what you did with the cinnamon rolls! They are so cute!
    Reply
  5. Easy Southern Cooking says

    February 20, 2010 at 7:46 pm

    Wow, these turned out great. I'm embarrassed to say that I never thought of this. I love shaped foods and own a whole assortment of molds, etc. I make cinnamon rolls fairly regularly and freeze them before baking (now that the kids are all mostly gone). Thanks for a great Idea, and great photos too. BTW, I love your blog. I lurk here often. Diane Watkins
    Reply
  6. my spatula says

    February 20, 2010 at 9:46 pm

    these are just FANTASTIC!! prettiest cinnamon rolls ever.
    Reply
  7. travel-play says

    February 21, 2010 at 12:30 am

    I wish I’d come up with it. But I will for sure be using this idea for Valentine’s to come!
    Reply
  8. Elisabeth says

    February 21, 2010 at 8:10 pm

    What a cute idea -- they look delicious!
    Reply
  9. Caroline says

    February 22, 2010 at 9:29 am

    Double wow. On Twitter, did I see you call yourself a slacker?! Um, slackers don't take the time to make the cutest heart-shaped cinnamon rolls of all time.
    Reply
  10. Megs says

    February 23, 2010 at 1:23 am

    What an adorable idea! Can't wait to try this!!
    Reply
  11. Maytina says

    February 23, 2010 at 4:22 pm

    What a super sweet idea!! They're adorable and I will be making them for my anniversary this year, and add them to my list of Valentine treats! Thanks!
    Reply
  12. Lauren @ Delicateflavors says

    February 28, 2010 at 8:44 am

    What a great idea! I don't usually bake but you definitely inspired me to try. I LOVE cinnamon rolls and this looks so delish that I will have to look for that old rolling pin and give it a try. Thank you for sharing. :)
    Reply
  13. Shannon says

    March 1, 2010 at 12:47 pm

    Mmmm yummy! That looks tasty. Just heard about your blog today and wanted to check it out. I am hungry now. :)
    Reply
  14. Rex says

    March 2, 2010 at 12:27 pm

    I was going through all of the sites that are going to be in the 55knives book and stumbled across yours. Those cinnamon rolls look delicious!!
    Reply
  15. sucre en poudre says

    March 6, 2010 at 10:31 am

    They look really great and I love the idea of adding buttermilk iza:)
    Reply
  16. enrolled agent course says

    March 13, 2010 at 7:23 pm

    I will definitely try this, since I love cinnamon rolls, and this is something that you can do even when the Valentine's season is over, just play up with other shapes and designs!
    Reply
  17. Curt says

    March 16, 2010 at 9:49 am

    Nicole, these immediately made think "Dr. Seuss"! I'm sure they were fantastic!
    Reply
  18. pita bread says

    March 30, 2010 at 5:35 am

    That's right, heart-shaped food should not be reserved only for V-day. Something this lovely would be a great treat any day.
    Reply
  19. pita bread says

    April 22, 2010 at 2:22 am

    I love cinnamon rolls and I often make them but I have never thought I could make such nice hearts! And the decorations are so cute. Next time I am going to try it this way.
    Reply
  20. Esther Crumpet says

    May 6, 2010 at 3:54 am

    These buns are delightful; I made them recently, and they were perfect! Thank you for such a great, easy to follow and accessible recipe! Pastries are usually a little temperamental, but there were perfect, and delicious! (As indeed was your Red Velvet Cake recipe, which I made last tear. Everyone looked at me like I was mad, but it was a great hit in the end!) Esther. xx
    Reply
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