easy heart shaped cinnamon rolls for Valetine’s Day

So before we get started I have to tell you a funny story. As I was working on today’s recipe (these adorable heart shaped cinnamon rolls) I tried out a couple variations, which means we ended up with a gazillion cinnamon rolls. After I got them all photographed and let the kids each eat one I suggested that we put the rest on a plate and take them to a neighbor. One of my kids said, “Well, mom, since these aren’t from scratch I’m not sure they’re actually good enough to give away to neighbors…” and I got worried maybe they didn’t taste that great…until I realized my scheming child just wanted to make sure that not one cinnamon roll left our home to be eaten elsewhere 🙂

 

Granted, they aren’t quite as tasty as homemade cinnamon rolls, but that didn’t deter anyone in my house from eating them. Plus they’re about a hundred times simpler that starting from scratch. And aren’t they cute?

I made a quick video to show you how to make these in case you’re looking for something special for Valentine’s Day breakfast:

Here are a few more details:

You MUST use Grands cinnamon rolls, that look like this:

These are the only kind of refrigerated cinnamon rolls that are actually a roll of dough that you can unwind and shape. The other ones are just little hockey pucks of dough. We actually tried making hearts with them and it just doesn’t work. So go with the Grands (although I did also try my store brand’s version and it worked perfectly!).

Grands have 5 big cinnamon rolls; I cut each one in half and made 10 hearts. Place the hearts on a lightly greased cookie sheet and back at 350 degrees until lightly golden brown:

 

 

The instructions on the packet say to cook 25 minutes, but don’t do it! Since you’ve cut them in half and are cooking them spread out on a cookie sheet instead of all together in a cake tin, you really only need about 15 minutes. Just until they’re golden brown and will hold together if you try to pick one up.

While the rolls are baking, mix a little red food coloring into the frosting that comes in the tube. Not necessary, but pink frosting obviously makes these hearts more fun. (Ok, so there’s never quite enough frosting for me in those little packets, so what I usually do is empty the frosting into a bowl and mix in a little bit of milk and half a cup or so of powdered sugar to stretch the frosting a bit and make sure there’s enough!)

After you take the rolls out, I recommend waiting 5 minute before frosting. You can frost them immediately, but if you do the frosting will melt and run all over the place. After 5 minutes the rolls are still warm, but not so hot they completely melt the frosting.

PS – I had the idea to make these rolls after seeing The Pinning Mama make adorable Christmas tree shaped cinnamon rolls – click through to her site to see a bunch of other holiday options using refrigerated cinnamon rolls, including cinnamon roll roses!