Description
Heart-Shaped Cinnamon Roll Bread is a soft, fluffy sweet bread swirled with cinnamon sugar and shaped into adorable hearts. Perfect for Valentine’s Day breakfast or brunch, this pull-apart loaf tastes just like classic cinnamon rolls in bread form, combining the comforting flavors of cinnamon and sugar with a tender, buttery dough.
Ingredients
Dough
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup warm milk
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
Cinnamon Filling
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: In a large bowl, mix warm milk, granulated sugar, and active dry yeast. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
- Make Dough: Add melted butter, egg, salt, and flour to the yeast mixture. Mix until a soft dough forms, then knead by hand or mixer for 6–8 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.
- First Rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour or until it has doubled in size.
- Shape Dough: Roll the risen dough into a rectangle approximately ¼-inch thick on a lightly floured surface.
- Add Filling: Spread the softened butter evenly over the dough’s surface. Combine brown sugar and ground cinnamon, then sprinkle this mixture evenly over the buttered dough.
- Form Log: Roll the dough tightly into a log shape, beginning at one long edge to keep filling inside.
- Slice Log: Using a sharp knife, slice the log lengthwise down the center to expose the filling layers.
- Twist and Shape: Twist the two halves together gently, keeping the cinnamon layers facing up, then shape the twisted dough into a heart shape.
- Second Rise: Place the heart-shaped dough into a greased loaf pan or heart-shaped pan, cover it again, and let it rise for another 30 minutes until puffy.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake the bread for 30–35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the dough is cooked through.
- Prepare Glaze: While the bread is baking, whisk together powdered sugar, 2–3 tablespoons of milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and pourable.
- Glaze Bread: Once baked, let the bread cool slightly and then drizzle the glaze generously over the top.
Notes
- To prevent over-browning, tent the bread loosely with foil during baking if the top browns too quickly.
- The dough can be prepared the night before and kept refrigerated to save time; allow it to come to room temperature and rise before baking.
- This bread is best served warm to enjoy the soft texture and melting cinnamon filling.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to maintain freshness.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Breakfast / Brunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
