Because every holiday needs its own cinnamon roll, I made a batch just for Valentine’s Day – soft, heart-shaped cinnamon rolls finished with the prettiest pink cream cheese frosting. They’re made with store-bought dough (because quick and easy is sometimes necessary), baked with a splash of half-and-half for extra softness, and topped with pink frosting using jam and beet powder (no dyes).

These are the kind of cinnamon rolls meant to be shared – with coffee, music, and nowhere to be. they’re perfect for Valentine’s Day, but honestly, they work for any holiday when you want something familiar with a twist.

Why this recipe works:

• Store-bought dough keeps it simple. For those wanting to make cinnamon rolls from scratch. Go to this blog post for my recipe, otherwise follow along if you’re trying to make something quick and easy.
• Shaping them into hearts makes them instantly festive.
• Half-and-half baked into the pan creates soft, gooey rolls.
• The pink frosting is naturally colored with no dye needed.

For the cinnamon rolls:

• one can refrigerated cinnamon rolls
• 1/4 or 1/3 cup cream or half and half

For the pink frosting:

• 4 ounces softened cream cheese
• 2 tbsp softened butter
• 3/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tbsp strawberry jam
• 1/2 tsp beet powder or natural food color
• 2 or more tbsp cream

How to make heart-shaped cinnamon rolls:

• Preheat oven according to package instructions.
• Gently unroll each cinnamon roll and leave ends curled in. Pinch the bottom of the cinnamon roll to a form a point.
• Arrange in a greased baking dish.
• Pour cream or half and half around the cinnamon rolls.
• Bake as directed. 350 Degrees F. for about 25 minutes. I covered with foil for half the allotted time.

Pink cream cheese frosting:

• Beat cream cheese and butter until creamy.
• Add powdered sugar and mix until fluffy.
• Stir in jam.
• Add beet powder until desired color is achieved.
• Warm slightly to pour or use a knife or spoon to spread the frosting.

Valentine Cinnamon Rolls

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Ingredients

• Store bought Jumbo Cinnamon Rolls
• 1/4-1/3 cup Heavy cream
• 4 ounces cream cheese
• 2 tbsp butter
• 3/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tbsp strawberry jam
• 1/4 tsp beet powder or a drop of dye-free food coloring*

Instructions

1. Use ready-to-bake cinnamon rolls. Gently unroll each roll.
2. Follow video to watch how I form a HEART with the dough.
3. Place slightly apart in parchment lined baking dish.
4. Slowly pour cream into baking dish.
5. Bake according to manufacturers instructions - I covered with foil for the firs 10 minutes and removed foil for the final 15 minutes. Bake at 350 degrees F. (about 20-25 minutes).
6. For the cream cheese frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth and fluffy.
7. Mix in in powdered sugar until fully combined.
8. Stir in Jam.
9. Add 1/4 tsp beet powder if you'd like your frosting to pop!
10. Add a splash of cream if desired - to adjust consistency.

Notes

dye free food coloring*

Color tips:

Jam = romantic pink

Beet Powder = true Valentine pink

Too much beet = mauve - balance with more powdred sugar or jam.