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Home » Baking

Published: Sep 12, 2016 · Modified: Dec 25, 2021 by Sandhya Ramakrishnan · This post may contain affiliate links

Heart Shaped Cinnamon Rolls | Sweet Heart Cinnamon Rolls

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Surprise your Valentine by baking these delicious Heart Shaped Cinnamon Rolls for Breakfast. These Sweetheart cinnamon rolls are so much fun to bake with kids.

Baking is like a therapy and I just find myself relaxed and calm when making the dough. I have been pretty late to the game as I learned baking only after I came to US.

Heart shape Cinnamon Rolls with glaze

I am still glad that I tried it out when I had an opportunity and continuing the passion for baking. Now that I have found this sense of relaxation in baking, I want to expose my boys to this wonderful art quite early in the game.

Baking is all about, touch, feel and sense. It took me a while to figure out how to find if the dough is the right texture by the touch. I started baking reading from books and since there was no one actually explaining to me how the dough feels,

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I had lot of difficulty understanding. Whenever I bake and get an opportunity, I ask my boys to knead the dough, feel the dough, stretch the dough, so they have more of a practical knowledge to baking.

Kneading the dough for cinnamon rolls

I have slowly come to learn that I am more of a bread baker than cake baker. I find myself attracted to different breads and not so much to designing or decorating cakes. So I started doing a little bit of shaping with the bread dough and the boys just enjoy it so much.

The stuffed braided bread was so much fun to make and it made a lovely center piece for the dinner. These sweetheart cinnamon rolls though is not that extensive in shaping and the kids can help in making the heart shapes.

I have made cinnamon rolls in the past with whole wheat flour. I personally like the texture when baking with whole grains. The rest of my family, do not mind it, but would rather prefer the ones made with all purpose flour or bread flour.

Heart shape Cinnamon Rolls in a black plate

When talking about cinnamon rolls and shaped breads, I also want to mention my Swedish Cinnamon snails/rolls also known as Kanel Snegle / Kanelbullar. Shaping these was just as much fun and I really enjoyed the crunchy topping that these had.

We are beginning our 3rd week of Cooking Carnival and all this week I will be posting breads and rolls. This is one theme that is very close to my heart and I really enjoyed baking few of the breads that I have made for this week.

Ingredients to make Heart Shaped Cinnamon Rolls – Makes 12

For the Dough

  • Bread flour or All purpose flour – 3 ½ cups (might need a little more)
  • Instant yeast – 2 ¼ tsp
  • Sugar – ¼ cup
  • Salt – 1 tsp
  • Water – ½ cup
  • Milk – ½ cup
  • Yogurt – ¼ cup
  • Butter – 5 tbsp

For the filling –

  • Butter – 3 tablespoon (softened)
  • Sugar – ¼ cup
  • Cinnamon – 1 tbsp

For the Icing –

  • Powdered sugar – 1 to 1 ½ cups
  • Vanilla extract – 1 tsp
  • Milk – 1 or 2 tbsp
Heart shape Cinnamon Rolls with glaze

Procedure to make Heart Shaped Cinnamon Rolls –

To make the dough –

  • In a saucepan, add the milk, water and butter. Heat it until the mixture is warm and the butter has almost melted. There might still be a little bit of butter not melted, but that will not be a problem. The rest of the butter will get incorporated when making the dough.
milk and butter heating
  • In a large bowl or in the mixer bowl, add 3 cups of bread flour, instant yeast, sugar and salt. Mix once to combine.
  • Add the warm milk/butter mixture to the flour mixture along with the yogurt.
  • Turn the mixer on low and start mixing the dough. Slowly increase the speed to medium and mix well and until the mixture is completely incorporated.
  • Knead the dough further and add the rest of the flour if needed to make smooth and elastic dough.
  • Place the dough on a greased bowl and cover it. Place it in a warm, draft free spot to rise until doubled in volume (about 1 hour).
proofed dough for cinnamon rolls

Shaping the Heart Shaped Cinnamon Rolls

  • In a bowl, combine the sugar and cinnamon and mix well.
  • Once the dough has doubled in volume, gently punch it down and place it on a floured work surface.
  • Roll the dough to a rough rectangle, measuring about 12 x 16 inches.
  • Spread the softened butter evenly over the rectangle. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar all over the rolled over dough. Make sure you get to the corners and sides as well.
spreading cinnamon and sugar on dough
  • Now start rolling the dough tightly, jelly style until half way. Roll the other half the same way and bring it to the middle.
  • Make a rough marking and cut the rolled dough into 12 equal parts. Makes sure you use a sharp knife and make one gentle swift cut.
  • Take one piece of the cut dough and slightly stretch it out and then pinch the bottom to form a heart shape (refer to the picture below).
  • Place it on a baking sheet. Repeat the same with the rest of the pieces.
Shaping the dough to make heart shape rolls
  • Cover the sheet and let the rolls rise again for about 30 to 40 minutes or until almost doubled.
cinnamon roll dough ready to bake

Baking the rolls –

  • Preheat the oven to 350 F.
  • Once the rolls have doubled in volume, bake them for about 20 to 22 minutes or until they are golden brown. Let it cool in the pan for about 5 to 10 minutes.
baked cinnamon rolls
  • Combine the icing ingredients to form a smooth icing. Drizzle the icing over the baked rolls when still warm and serve.
Heart shape Cinnamon Rolls

More shaped rolls

  • Franzbrötchen - German Croissant Recipe
  • Sweet Swirl Buns Recipe
  • Kanel Snegle/Kanelbullar – Swedish Cinnamon Rolls/Snails
  • No Knead Cloverleaf Dinner Rolls

 If you made this recipe and liked it, give a star rating on the recipe card or let me know in the comments below. You could also share it with me on Instagram using #MyCookingJourney and tagging me @sandhya.ramakrishnan. You could follow me and my recipes on Facebook |Instagram | Pinterest | twitter

Heart Shaped Cinnamon Rolls

Heart Shaped Cinnamon Rolls

Surprise your Valentine by baking these delicious Heart Shaped Cinnamon Rolls for Breakfast. These Sweetheart cinnamon rolls are so much fun to bake with kids.
5 from 7 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Bread, Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Resting time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 12 Rolls
Calories: 310kcal
Author: Sandhya Ramakrishnan

Ingredients

For the Dough –

  • 3 ½ cups Bread flour or All purpose flour might need a little more
  • 2 ¼ teaspoon Instant yeast
  • ¼ cup Sugar
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • ½ cup Water
  • ½ cup Milk
  • ¼ cup Yogurt
  • 5 tablespoon Butter

For the filling –

  • 3 tablespoon Butter softened
  • ¼ cup Sugar
  • 1 tablespoon Cinnamon

For the Icing –

  • 1 ½ cup Powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
  • 1 or 2 tablespoon Milk

Instructions

To make the dough –

  • In a saucepan, add the milk, water and butter. Heat it until the mixture is warm and the butter has almost melted. There might still be a little bit of butter not melted, but that will not be a problem. The rest of the butter will get incorporated when making the dough.
  • In a large bowl or in the mixer bowl, add 3 cups of bread flour, instant yeast, sugar and salt. Mix once to combine.
  • Add the warm milk/butter mixture to the flour mixture along with the yogurt.
  • Turn the mixer on low and start mixing the dough. Slowly increase the speed to medium and mix well and until the mixture is completely incorporated.
  • Knead the dough further and add the rest of the flour if needed to make smooth and elastic dough.
  • Place the dough on a greased bowl and cover it. Place it in a warm, draft free spot to rise until doubled in volume (about 1 hour).

Shaping the Heart Shaped Cinnamon Rolls –

  • In a bowl, combine the sugar and cinnamon and mix well.
  • Once the dough has doubled in volume, gently punch it down and place it on a floured work surface.
  • Roll the dough to a rough rectangle, measuring about 12 x 16 inches.
  • Spread the softened butter evenly over the rectangle. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar all over the rolled over dough. Make sure you get to the corners and sides as well.
  • Now start rolling the dough tightly, jelly style until half way. Roll the other half the same way and bring it to the middle.
  • Make a rough marking and cut the rolled dough into 12 equal parts. Makes sure you use a sharp knife and make one gentle swift cut.
  • Take one piece of the cut dough and slightly stretch it out and then pinch the bottom to form a heart shape (refer to the picture below).
  • Place it on a baking sheet. Repeat the same with the rest of the pieces.
  • Cover the sheet and let the rolls rise again for about 30 to 40 minutes or until almost doubled.

Baking the rolls –

  • Preheat the oven to 350 F.
  • Once the rolls have doubled in volume, bake them for about 20 to 22 minutes or until they are golden brown. Let it cool in the pan for about 5 to 10 minutes.
  • Combine the icing ingredients to form a smooth icing. Drizzle the icing over the baked rolls when still warm and serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 310kcal | Carbohydrates: 52g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 22mg | Sodium: 271mg | Potassium: 89mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 24g | Vitamin A: 262IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 36mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @Sandhya.Ramakrishnan or tag #MyCookingJourney!
 
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Liz says

    January 22, 2022 at 8:58 am

    5 stars
    These are so cute! What a fun idea! Excited to make these for my kids on Valentine's Day! They will love them!

    Reply
  2. Allyssa says

    January 19, 2022 at 3:52 am

    5 stars
    Thank you so much for sharing this amazing recipe! Will surely have this again! It's really easy to make and it tasted so delicious! Highly recommended!

    Reply
    • Sandhya Ramakrishnan says

      January 19, 2022 at 11:17 am

      Thanks a lot! Glad you liked it 🙂

      Reply
  3. Bernice says

    January 18, 2022 at 11:41 am

    What a fun idea and so perfect for Valentine's Day. I'm going to bake up a batch for my husband to enjoy!

    Reply
  4. Lily says

    February 14, 2021 at 5:24 am

    5 stars
    These are perfect for valentine's day! I'm so excited to try these out tonight for our dessert.

    Reply
    • Sandhya Ramakrishnan says

      February 15, 2021 at 10:09 am

      I am so glad you liked them. Thanks!

      Reply
  5. Anjali says

    February 14, 2021 at 3:10 am

    5 stars
    These cinnamon rolls are so adorable!!! I can't wait to make them for Valentine's Day tomorrow! 🙂

    Reply
  6. Priya Lakshminarayan says

    February 13, 2021 at 9:35 pm

    5 stars
    How pretty are these! I want them all. Will surely make this

    Reply
    • Sandhya Ramakrishnan says

      February 15, 2021 at 10:09 am

      Thanks a lot!

      Reply
  7. Adrianne says

    February 13, 2021 at 9:13 pm

    5 stars
    Yes!! I love the therapy of baking also. These are such great cinnamon rolls. They look soft and delicious also. Love everything about this recipe.

    Reply
    • Sandhya Ramakrishnan says

      February 15, 2021 at 10:10 am

      Thanks a lot! I hope my body cooperates with this therapy for a long time so I can continue 🙂

      Reply
  8. Megan says

    February 13, 2021 at 8:21 pm

    5 stars
    I love an old fashioned cakey cinnamon roll so I used bread flower. Wow! So amazing. I can skip the bakery altogether now.

    Reply
    • Sandhya Ramakrishnan says

      February 15, 2021 at 10:10 am

      Bread flour does make a big difference!

      Reply
  9. Susan says

    August 24, 2020 at 5:26 am

    My grandson is allergic to eggs so this is the perfect recipe. Looking forward to making these with him.

    Reply
    • Sandhya Ramakrishnan says

      August 27, 2020 at 10:54 am

      Susan, do give this a try. Most of my bakes are egg less. So please let me know if I can help you with any other recipe.

      Reply
  10. Jennifer A Stewart says

    January 30, 2017 at 8:21 pm

    I have never been good with doughs that require yeast. I even bought a bread maker and tried all the dough recipes. I would love to take a class so I can get hands on and be able to touch and feel how the dough is supposed to feel and not just the pictures and descriptions. This is a great tutorial and I can't wait to make these. My youngest is OBSESSED with cinnamon rolls and I hate having to use the ones in the tube!

    Reply
    • Sandhya Ramakrishnan says

      January 30, 2017 at 9:08 pm

      Jennifer, it does take a while to get familiar with the dough. Baking our own breads is the best ever and I am sure you will soon start making them.

      Reply
  11. Sarah | Away From the Box says

    January 30, 2017 at 12:40 am

    This is such a perfect breakfast for Valentine's Day, or really any special day! Love your step by step photos and the recipe itself sounds great!

    Reply
    • Sandhya Ramakrishnan says

      January 30, 2017 at 9:13 pm

      Thanks Sarah!

      Reply
  12. Manila Spoon says

    January 29, 2017 at 8:52 pm

    This is such a fun and delicious treat for Valentine's Day! I love that you added a tutorial so we can easily learn how it's done. Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
    • Sandhya Ramakrishnan says

      January 30, 2017 at 9:13 pm

      I am so glad that the pictorials help. Thanks 🙂

      Reply
  13. swathi says

    January 29, 2017 at 8:18 pm

    Delicious heart shaped cinnamon rolls Sandhya, perfect for valentine my kids love these one . I am going to give it try for sure.

    Reply
    • Sandhya Ramakrishnan says

      January 30, 2017 at 9:13 pm

      Thanks Swathi!

      Reply
  14. Amy Katz from Veggies Save The Day says

    January 29, 2017 at 5:24 pm

    These cinnamon rolls look amazing! I love the heart shape. Perfect for Valentine's Day!

    Reply
  15. Noel Lizotte says

    January 29, 2017 at 3:20 pm

    What a fun Valentine treat! I love that you shaped your rolls into hearts!!
    I'm slowly learning about baking, dough and breads. My family isn't a homemade bread baking group, so we always bought breads. Yeast doughs have been a bit intimidating, altho I've finally found a pizza dough from scratch that works well for me.

    Kneading is relaxing ... maybe that's what we're all missing these days, too much stress and not enough bread baking.

    Reply
  16. Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy says

    January 29, 2017 at 12:32 pm

    Wow are these cute or what. Who needs Cinnabon (in Canada anyway) when you can make these at home. When I was a kid my mom and baba would make homemade cinnamon rolls all the time. This reminds me of my childhood.

    Reply
  17. Kim Lee says

    January 29, 2017 at 11:55 am

    These are absolutely gorgeous!! What a fabulous breakfast for Valentine's Day!

    Reply
  18. Kylee from Kylee Cooks says

    January 29, 2017 at 8:57 am

    I love that you involve your boys in the kitchen - it's so important to pass on our kitchen skills to our kids! These cinnamon rolls are super adorable - I never thought to make them into hearts - what a great idea!

    Reply
  19. Byron Thomas says

    January 29, 2017 at 8:02 am

    So cute! And such a lovely idea, especially now with valentines day right around the corner. I've never made cinnamon rolls from scratch before because I'm not great with making dough and getting it to rise. I need to take some dough making lessons. 🙂

    Reply
  20. Julie | Bunsen Burner Bakery says

    January 28, 2017 at 10:08 pm

    These are so beautiful! It's so true that so much of bread baking has to do with the "feel" of things - I do most of my bread without a real recipe and go based on touch whether I need more flour or more water. It's great that you're teaching your boys this - I hope my son will be interested in baking with me as he gets to be a little older!

    Reply
  21. Kathy McDaniel says

    January 28, 2017 at 9:38 pm

    I love baking and like you I much rather do breads of all kinds that decorating anything because I am not a very patient person. My boys love baking with me too even though they tend to make a big mess when they are in the kitchen 🙂

    Reply
  22. Stephanie@ApplesforCJ says

    January 28, 2017 at 9:58 am

    Wow..these are beautiful and perfect for Valentines Day! Cooking of any kind is my therapy and relaxing time so I totally get what you're saying about baking!

    Reply
  23. Natalie | Natalie's Food & Health says

    January 28, 2017 at 6:35 am

    This heart shaped cinnamon rolls looks fantastic. Perfect for breakfast in bed for Valentine's Day!

    Reply
  24. Srivalli says

    January 28, 2017 at 12:40 am

    Thanks to the exercise, I have come here to enjoy these virtually again Sandhya....those cinnamon rolls have turned out so fantastic!

    Reply
  25. Mark, CompassandFork says

    January 27, 2017 at 8:53 pm

    These are really impressive cinnamon rolls, I must say. Cinnamon rolls take me back to my childhood and I have very fond memories of them, although I never had heart-shaped ones. I'm really impressed with how you shaped them. Great job.

    Reply
  26. Megan Marlowe says

    January 27, 2017 at 8:11 pm

    these are absolutely adorable. I'm going to leave a few hints around the house and hope my sweetheart makes them for me for Valentine's Day 😉

    Reply
  27. Veena Azmanov says

    January 27, 2017 at 1:15 pm

    Aren't these cute..! I Love cinnamon rolls. Perfect for Valentines Day

    Reply
  28. Julie says

    January 18, 2017 at 1:28 pm

    These rolls are just beautiful!

    Reply
    • Sandhya Ramakrishnan says

      January 18, 2017 at 1:34 pm

      Thanks Julie! It was so much fun to see them open up into a heart 🙂

      Reply
  29. Srivalli Jetti says

    December 05, 2016 at 3:59 am

    This surely looks amazing!..love the shape and it has come so beautifully!

    Reply

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I am Sandhya Ramakrishnan, author, recipe developer and photographer in this journey! 'My Cooking Journey' is all about family friendly Vegetarian and Vegan recipes from around the World with focus on Indian cuisine.

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