Red Velvet Cinnamon Roll Hearts

Introduction

The kitchen smelled like butter and cinnamon as soon as I rolled the dough, and the house softened into that Sunday-morning hush. Right away I knew these Red Velvet Cinnamon Roll Hearts: A Deliciously Unique Treat would disappear fast. This always takes me back to Sunday dinners. If you prefer a quicker spin, I sometimes borrow ideas from a no-yeast cinnamon roll method when I’m short on time.

Why You’ll Love This

• Cute heart shapes that feel homemade and thoughtful.
• Soft, tender dough with a subtle cocoa note.
• Cream cheese frosting balances sweet and tangy.
• Kid-approved and great for holiday baking.
• Easy swaps for dairy-free or gluten-free diets.

Quick Recipe Snapshot

• Servings: 12 rolls
• Prep time: 35 minutes active, plus rises
• Cook time: 25–30 minutes
• Total time: About 1 hour 30 minutes (including rising)
• Skill level: Medium
• Taste: sweet + spiced with creamy tang

You’ll feel confident following this — the cues are simple and forgiving.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour (plus extra for dusting)
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 packet (2 ¼ teaspoons) instant yeast
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cocoa powder
• 1 cup whole milk (warm)
• ¼ cup unsalted butter (melted)
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon red food coloring (gel for best results)
• Filling Ingredients:
  • ½ cup brown sugar (packed)
  • 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter (softened)
  • 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Cream Cheese Frosting:
  • 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter (softened)
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1–2 tablespoons milk (to adjust consistency)
• Substitutions:
  • Dairy-Free: Use almond milk and vegan butter.
  • Gluten-Free: Substitute with a gluten-free flour blend.

Chef notes:

• Warm milk helps yeast bloom faster.
• Gel color gives richer red.
• Unsalted butter controls salt better.
• Softened butter spreads easily.
• Use packed brown sugar for deep flavor.
• Cool rolls slightly before frosting.

How to Make It

1. First, mix dry ingredients: in a large bowl combine 2 ¾ cups flour, ½ cup sugar, 1 packet instant yeast, ½ teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon cocoa powder. Stir until uniform.
2. Then whisk wet ingredients: in another bowl combine warm milk, ¼ cup melted butter, 1 egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and 1 tablespoon red food coloring. The color should be even.
3. Next, add wet to dry gradually and mix until a soft dough forms; add flour one tablespoon at a time if sticky. The dough will feel tacky but not sloppy.
4. Transfer to a floured surface and knead 5–7 minutes until smooth and elastic; the dough should spring back when pressed.
5. Place dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let rise 30 minutes or until doubled — you’ll notice the dough puff and a faint yeasty aroma.
6. Meanwhile, make filling: stir ½ cup packed brown sugar, 2 tablespoons cinnamon, ¼ cup softened butter, 1 tablespoon cocoa, and 1 teaspoon vanilla until spreadable.
7. Once risen, punch down and roll dough into a ¼-inch-thick rectangle. Spread filling evenly, leaving a thin border.
8. Starting at the long edge, roll tightly into a log and pinch seam to seal. Cut into 12 equal pieces. Shape each into a heart by pinching the top and flattening the bottom; you’ll see the swirls peek through. For shaping tips, glance at the way some other small rolls form like amazing egg rolls.
9. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Place hearts in a greased dish with small gaps, cover, and let rise 15 minutes. They’ll puff slightly and look pillowy.
10. Bake 25–30 minutes until golden at the edges and set in the center. Finally, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth, add powdered sugar and vanilla, thin with milk if needed, and frost warm rolls generously.

Kitchen Tips (From My Kitchen)

1. Time-saver: Make the filling ahead and refrigerate for quick assembly.
2. Common mistake + fix: If dough stays dense, it’s likely cold — let it rise in a slightly warm (not hot) spot.
3. Simple variation: Add ½ teaspoon nutmeg to the filling for warm spice.

Serving Ideas

• Weekend brunch crowd-pleaser with coffee and fresh berries.
• Holiday gift: place rolls in a box with parchment and ribbon.
• Cozy single-serve treat with a mug of hot cocoa.
• Light brunch plate with scrambled eggs (try a crescent-based pairing like crescent roll egg breakfast).
  Optional garnishes: a dusting of cocoa, extra cream cheese dollops, or a few fresh raspberries.

Storing & Leftovers

• Fridge: Store in an airtight container for 3–4 days.
• Freezer: Freeze un-frosted rolls up to 2 months; thaw overnight in fridge.
• Reheat: Warm single rolls 15–20 seconds in the microwave or 5–7 minutes at 300°F to keep texture.
  Leftover idea: Turn a cooled roll into a sweet sandwich with whipped cream and sliced fruit.

Red Velvet Cinnamon Roll Hearts

Cute heart-shaped rolls with a soft, tender dough infused with cocoa and topped with creamy cream cheese frosting, perfect for sharing.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 35 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Servings: 12 rolls

Course: Brunch, Dessert

Cuisine: American

Calories: 320

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Dough Ingredients

• 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour (plus extra for dusting)
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 packet (2 ¼ teaspoons) instant yeast
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cocoa powder
• 1 cup whole milk (warm) Warm milk helps yeast bloom faster.
• ¼ cup unsalted butter (melted) Unsalted butter controls salt better.
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon red food coloring (gel for best results) Gel color gives richer red.

Filling Ingredients

• ½ cup brown sugar (packed) Use packed brown sugar for deep flavor.
• 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
• ¼ cup unsalted butter (softened) Softened butter spreads easily.
• 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cream Cheese Frosting

• 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
• ¼ cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1–2 tablespoons milk (to adjust consistency)

Method

 

Preparation

1. In a large bowl combine 2 ¾ cups flour, ½ cup sugar, 1 packet instant yeast, ½ teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon cocoa powder. Stir until uniform.
2. In another bowl combine warm milk, ¼ cup melted butter, 1 egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and 1 tablespoon red food coloring. The color should be even.
3. Add wet ingredients to dry gradually and mix until a soft dough forms; add flour one tablespoon at a time if sticky. The dough will feel tacky but not sloppy.
4. Transfer dough to a floured surface and knead for 5–7 minutes until smooth and elastic; the dough should spring back when pressed.
5. Place dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let rise for 30 minutes or until doubled in size.
6. Meanwhile, stir together the filling ingredients until spreadable.
7. Once the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it into a ¼-inch-thick rectangle. Spread filling evenly, leaving a thin border.
8. Starting at the long edge, roll tightly into a log and pinch seam to seal. Cut into 12 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a heart by pinching the top and flattening the bottom.
9. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Place hearts in a greased dish with small gaps, cover, and let rise for 15 minutes.
10. Bake for 25–30 minutes until golden at the edges and set in the center.
11. For the frosting, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth, add powdered sugar and vanilla, thin with milk if needed, and frost the warm rolls generously.

Notes

You can make the filling ahead and refrigerate for quick assembly. For a warm spice variation, add ½ teaspoon nutmeg to the filling. Warm rolls can be stored in an airtight container for 3–4 days.

FAQs

Q: Can I make these ahead?
A: Yes. You can shape the hearts, cover, and refrigerate overnight before baking. For quick dinners, I also keep easy make-ahead ideas like one-pot creamy beef and spinach alfredo in mind for other nights.

Q: What are good substitutions?
A: Use almond milk and vegan butter for dairy-free, or swap in a gluten-free flour blend for GF needs.

Q: How do I know they’re done?
A: Rolls are done when the edges turn golden and the center springs back lightly when pressed.

Q: Can I freeze them?
A: Yes — freeze before frosting for best texture, then thaw and frost when ready.

Final Thoughts

I love how these little hearts bring a smile to the table; they’re playful, comforting, and forgiving for a home baker. Try them once, then tweak the spice or frosting to make them your own — I promise they’ll become a simple favorite. Red Velvet Cinnamon Roll Hearts: A Deliciously Unique Treat

Conclusion

If you want another take on red velvet rolls, check this version for inspiration: Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls – Butter Be Ready. For an easy cake-mix shortcut, see this fun variation: Red Velvet Cake Mix Cinnamon Rolls – 3 Boys and a Dog.