Sweetheart Cinnamon Rolls Pink (Printable)
Pillowy cinnamon rolls with cinnamon sugar filling and creamy pink icing, perfect for sharing.
# What You'll Need:
→ Dough
01 - 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
03 - 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
04 - 1/2 tsp salt
05 - 3/4 cup whole milk, lukewarm
06 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
07 - 2 large eggs, room temperature
→ Filling
08 - 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
09 - 2 tbsp ground cinnamon
10 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
→ Pink Icing
11 - 4 oz cream cheese, softened
12 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
13 - 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
14 - 1–2 tbsp milk
15 - 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
16 - 2–3 drops red food coloring or beet juice
# Directions:
01 - Combine warm milk and yeast in a large bowl. Let stand for 5 minutes until foamy. Add sugar, melted butter, eggs, and salt, mixing well.
02 - Gradually incorporate flour into the wet ingredients. Knead by hand or stand mixer for 5–7 minutes until a smooth, elastic dough forms.
03 - Transfer dough to a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap or damp towel. Place in a warm, draft-free area for 1 hour until doubled in volume.
04 - While dough rises, combine brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Set aside.
05 - Punch down risen dough. On a floured surface, roll into a 16x12-inch rectangle. Spread softened butter evenly over dough, then sprinkle cinnamon sugar mixture across the surface.
06 - Roll dough tightly from the longer edge. Slice into 12 equal portions using sharp knife or dental floss. Pinch the bottom of each roll into a point and press a small indent at the top center to form heart shapes.
07 - Arrange rolls in a greased 9x13-inch baking pan. Cover and let rise for 30–40 minutes until puffy and nearly doubled.
08 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake rolls for 22–25 minutes until tops are golden brown and centers are set. Cool in pan for 10 minutes.
09 - Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, milk, and food coloring. Mix until fully combined and uniformly pink.
10 - Spread pink icing generously over warm rolls. Serve immediately while still slightly warm.
# Expert Hints:
01 -
- The cream cheese icing transforms breakfast into dessert
- Heart shapes make everything taste sweeter somehow
- They actually stay soft for two days if sealed tight
02 -
- Overbaking by even three minutes turns these into hockey pucks
- The dough is sticky, but resist adding too much extra flour or they'll be tough
- Dental floss actually works better than a knife for cutting clean slices
03 -
- Use a kitchen towel to cover the rising dough—it traps humidity better than plastic wrap
- Rotate the pan halfway through baking for even browning