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Transform the classic comfort of cinnamon rolls into a heartfelt gesture with these heart-shaped cinnamon rolls. Perfect for special occasions or simply to spread a little love. These rolls combine the irresistible aroma of freshly baked bread with the sweet, spicy allure of cinnamon, all crowned with a luscious cream cheese frosting. This recipe not only promises a delicious treat but also a memorable baking experience, filling your home with warmth and sweetness.
These heart shaped cinnamon rolls are perfect for Valentines Day! From the tender, fluffy dough to the rich, cinnamon-sugar filling, each roll is a testament to the joy of homemade baking. Topped with tangy cream cheese frosting, they strike the perfect balance of flavors, making them an irresistible addition to any table.
I make these heart shaped cinnamon rolls every Valentines morning for breakfast with my kids and husband. It is something my little boys look forward to. It gives us a good excuse to sit awhile and enjoy each others company on the holiday we celebrate love.
The Chemistry of Heart Shaped Cinnamon Rolls
The magic of these cinnamon rolls lies in the fermentation of yeast, which is the heart of the dough’s rise. The warm water and cream activate the yeast, allowing it to bubble and ferment, which in turn causes the dough to rise and develop its light, airy texture, The filling, a rich blend of sugars and cinnamon bound with melted butter, caramelizes in the oven, creating a gooey, flavorful center. The frosting, whipped to silky perfection, adds a creamy contrast that complements the warm spices.
How do you create the heart shape with dough?
By rolling the dough from both ends towards the center, you can form a heart shape. This technique involves gently curving the the rolls so that when they bake, they maintain this shape. Resulting in a batch of cinnamon rolls that look as good as they taste.
Can the dough be prepared in advance?
Yes, the dough can be made ahead and left to rise in the refrigerator overnight. This slower rise not only develops the dough’s flavor but also makes it more convenient to bake fresh rolls in the morning. To do this, you want to do the first rise, roll the dough out and assemble the rolls on a cookie sheet. Then cover and place in the fridge overnight.
How can I ensure my cinnamon rolls are fluffy and soft?
The key to fluffy cinnamon rolls is not to over-knead the dough. Once the ingredients are combined and form a cohesive ball, it’s important to let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free area until it doubles in size, ensuring a tender texture. If you are having trouble rising your dough, you can place your covered bowl in your oven with the light on. Just make sure the oven is OFF so that the dough doesn’t cook. The oven light on will create a warm, draft-free environment.
What’s the best way to store leftover cinnamon rolls?
Leftover cinnamon rolls can be stored at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week. Wrap them tightly to prevent drying out. For best results, reheat them briefly in the microwave or oven before serving to revive their freshness.
What is in Heart Shaped Cinnamon Rolls?
Yeast
Provides flavor and carbon dioxide, making your dough rise. It must be mixed with a warm liquid and sugar in order to activate.
Warm Water
Activate the rising process, essential for the dough’s texture.
Granulated Sugar
Adds sweetness, provides a caramelized flavor and crisp texture. Sugar assists with rising when creamed with butter. It helps add moisture to your treat and helps it evenly spread as it melts into a liquid in the heat of the oven. Sugar also helps with naturally preserving your baked treat.
Unsalted Butter
It is always important to use unsalted butter when baking. If you use salted butter, you have no way of knowing how much salt you are adding to your dough or batter and it will result in an overly salted treat.
Butter adds fats to your dough or batter which helps with moistness, flavor and texture. Butter melts at body temperature, which creates a ‘melt in your mouth’ sensation.
When baking with butter the temperature is important. If the butter is too warm your treat will melt down too fast and overspread in the oven, leaving you with a greasy, flat mess. If your butter is too cold it will have the opposite problem and not melt down enough, leaving your treat too thick.
Eggs
Adds both a protein (egg whites) and fat (egg yolks). The egg whites help with rising because, when foamed, little air pockets get trapped inside the egg white mixture. The water content in egg whites encourages steam while baking, which helps with gluten formation, resulting in nice and thick treats. Egg yolks have emulsifying properties that bring batters and doughs together and help them from collapsing. Unless otherwise specified, always use large eggs.
Fine Sea Salt
Enhances flavor, adds balance, masks any bitter flavors. Salt is the most powerful and oldest preservative. Always make sure to use fine sea salt so it melts down at the right speed in the heat of the oven. If you use larger granule salt, it will not melt down fully when baked and will leave salt crystals throughout your treat, making it crunch like you dropped it into sand.
All-purpose Flour
Builds structure as it absorbs liquids and expands. All-purpose flour falls in the middle of bread flour (high in gluten) and cake flour (low in gluten). It’s exactly what it is named, all-purpose, the most universal flour that can be used in most baked goods.
Brown Sugar
Is granulated sugar with a little molasses mixed in. Molasses is a somewhat smoky flavored natural sweetener, which makes brown sugar a bit sweeter than granulated sugar. Brown sugar draws more moisture into your treat, keeping it softer for longer. It’s also more acidic, which means it will help activate your baking soda.
Cinnamon
A seasoning that adds a nice spice to your treat.
Cornstarch
Helps create a crumbly tender texture to toppings. Softens cookies, brownies and cakes. And it can also thicken sauces and fillings.
Cream cheese
Provides a unique, tangy flavor. When baked it adds moisture to your treat.
Unsalted butter
Often the main ingredient of frosting, it adds structure to your buttercream. It also adds a smooth and velvety texture. Butter melts at body temperature, so it will make your frosting have a melt-in-your-mouth sensation.
Powdered Sugar
Is just finely ground granulated sugar. It will absorb moisture in your batter or dough. It dissolves easily, ensuring a smooth texture without grittiness. Because it is so fine, it can melt quickly in the oven and spread cookies out more. Powdered sugar also stabilizes and thickens the frosting, thanks to the small amount of cornstarch it contains.
Heavy Whipping Cream
Makes a softer, more spreadable frosting. When melted with chocolate it adds more fat and moisture to the mixture, resulting in a silkier blend.
Storage Tips
Enjoy your cinnamon rolls for up to 3 days when stored in an airtight container at room temperature. The rolls can be kept for up to a week in the refrigerator. Warm slightly before serving to recreate that fresh-from-the-oven taste.
Freezing Cinnamon Rolls
These cinnamon rolls can be frozen either before or after baking. To freeze unbaked rolls, place them on a baking sheet to freeze individually, then transfer to a freezer bag. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and let rise before baking. Baked rolls can be frozen in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Making Ahead
For a morning treat, prepare the rolls the night before, covering them tightly in the refrigerator during the second rise. In the morning, let them come to room temperature while you preheat the oven, then bake as directed.
Recommended Equipment
Why make heart shaped cinnamon rolls?
These heart shaped cinnamon rolls are not just a recipe; they’re an experience. They are a way to convey affection, celebrate special moments, and indulge in the sweet, comforting flavors of homemade baking. Whether for a holiday, a special occasion, or simply to add a touch of sweetness to your day, these cinnamon rolls are sure to warm hearts and bring smiles to faces.
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Heart Shaped Cinnamon Rolls
Ingredients
Rolls
- 2 tbsp yeast
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 cup +1 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 cup warm water
- 1 cup unsalted butter **melted
- 3 eggs
- 1 tbsp fine sea salt
- 7 cups all-purpose flour
Filling
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup cinnamon
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
Frosting
- 8 ounces cream cheese
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 5 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp heavy cream
Instructions
Rolls
- Add warm water & cream together. Make sure the mixture is warm but not hot, if too hot the yeast will die. Add 1 tablespoon of sugar & yeast. Mix and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it bubbles up. If mixture doesn’t bubble, your yeast is dead and you must start over with new yeast.
- In a standing mixer add 1 cup sugar, butter, eggs & salt. Stir until combined
- Add yeast mixture to standing mixer, stir until combined
- Add flour & knead in mixer until it is 1 ball of dough
- Cover bowl and let sit for 2-3 hours or until doubled in size
Filling
- Once dough has doubled, mix sugars, cinnamon & cornstarch together
Assemble
- Roll out your dough on a lightly floured surface into a large rectangle. I like my dough about ¼ inch thick
- Spread the melted butter all over your dough
- Sprinkle sugar mixture and spread until evenly distributed on the dough
- Roll the dough from both sides, meeting in the middle to make a heart shape. Two small cinnamon rolls connected with a thick thread of dough.
- Place the rolls on 2 light metal, greased cookie sheets, I put 9 on each pan.
- Cover lightly with plastic wrap and let sit for another 2 hours
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees, bake for 22-24 minutes until golden
Frosting
- While baking, mix all the frosting ingredients in a standing mixer. Whip for 2 minutes until fluffy
- Frost while still warm
Nutrition
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