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Heart Shaped Cinnamon Rolls

Heart Shaped Cinnamon Rolls
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Whip up quick, fluffy, and charming Heart Shaped Cinnamon Rolls with this easy recipe. Featuring simple pantry ingredients and a cozy cinnamon-sugar filling, these delightful pastries make any morning or special occasion feel extra special with their warm flavor and beautiful heart shapes. Perfect for celebrations or everyday treats, they’re customizable, fun to make, and irresistibly delicious.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough Ingredients

  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar (plus 1 tsp for yeast blooming)
  • 2 ¼ tsp instant yeast (1 packet)
  • ¾ cup warm milk (around 110°F / 43°C)
  • 3 tbsp melted butter
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Filling Ingredients

  • 5 tbsp softened butter
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp ground cinnamon

Optional Glaze Ingredients

  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • 2 tbsp cream cheese, softened
  • 1–2 tbsp milk or cream (to thin glaze)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Dough: Warm the milk until just warm to the touch, then stir in the instant yeast and 1 teaspoon of granulated sugar. Allow it to bloom for about 5 minutes until frothy. In a large bowl, combine the flour, remaining sugar, and salt. Add the yeast mixture, beaten egg, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Mix until a soft dough forms. Knead the dough on a clean, lightly floured surface for 5–7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
  2. Let the Dough Rise: Place the kneaded dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover with a damp towel, and let it rise in a warm spot for about 30 minutes, or until it doubles in size.
  3. Prepare the Filling: While the dough rises, mix the softened butter, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon in a small bowl until well combined.
  4. Roll and Shape: Once the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out into a large rectangle approximately ½ inch thick. Evenly spread the cinnamon-sugar filling over the surface. To form heart shapes, roll the dough lengthwise, then slice into even pieces. Gently pinch or fold the middle of each slice to create the heart shape.
  5. Second Rise: Arrange the heart-shaped rolls on a parchment-lined baking tray, leaving space for expansion. Cover and let them rise for another 15–20 minutes to puff up before baking.
  6. Bake to Golden Perfection: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the rolls for 15–18 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through.
  7. Optional Glaze: While the rolls are warm, prepare a glaze by mixing powdered sugar, softened cream cheese, milk or cream, and vanilla extract. Drizzle over the rolls for an indulgent finish.

Notes

  • Use warm milk and melted butter—not hot—to activate yeast without killing it.
  • Don’t skip the second rise to ensure fluffy and soft rolls.
  • Knead the dough until elastic to develop gluten for a light texture.
  • Spread the filling evenly and thinly for consistent flavor distribution.
  • Check the baking time early to avoid drying out the rolls.

Nutrition

Keywords: cinnamon rolls, heart shaped cinnamon rolls, quick cinnamon rolls, homemade pastries, cinnamon treats, breakfast recipe, easy cinnamon rolls, festive cinnamon rolls

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