Valentine's Day Sweetheart Cinnamon Rolls 💖🍩

Activate the yeast: In a small bowl, combine the warm milk and sugar. Sprinkle the yeast over the top and stir. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes, until the mixture becomes frothy.
Mix the dough: In a large bowl, mix the yeast mixture, softened butter, salt, egg, and vanilla extract. Gradually add in 3 cups of flour, one cup at a time, until the dough begins to come together.
Knead the dough: Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes, adding the remaining 1/2 cup of flour as needed, until the dough is smooth and elastic.
Let it rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1-1.5 hours, or until it doubles in size.

Prepare the cinnamon filling: In a small bowl, mix the softened butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt until smooth and spreadable. Set aside.

Roll out the dough: Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release the air. Roll it out on a floured surface into a large rectangle, about 1/4 inch thick (approximately 16×12 inches).
Spread the filling: Spread the cinnamon filling evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
Shape the rolls: Starting from one long edge, carefully roll the dough tightly into a log. Once rolled, use a sharp knife to slice the dough into 12 even rolls. Arrange them in a greased 9×13-inch baking pan, with a little space between each roll.
Shape into hearts: Gently pinch the ends of each cinnamon roll together to form a heart shape. You can do this by slightly pressing down the sides of the rolls and lifting the ends to form a “V” shape at the bottom, making them look like hearts.

Let them rise: Cover the pan with a towel and let the rolls rise for another 30-45 minutes, until they puff up.
Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Bake: Once the rolls have risen, bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown on top and cooked through. Keep an eye on them to avoid overbaking.

Prepare the glaze: While the rolls are baking, make the glaze by whisking together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. If you want a pink glaze, add a few drops of red food coloring and mix until you achieve your desired shade.

Glaze and enjoy: Once the rolls are done baking, let them cool for a few minutes before drizzling the pink glaze over the top. Serve warm and enjoy these sweet, heart-shaped cinnamon rolls!

Shape variations: For a fun twist, you can also make traditional cinnamon rolls or roll the dough into a large log and cut it into regular rolls if you prefer.
Make ahead: You can prepare the dough and cinnamon rolls the night before. After assembling the rolls, cover them tightly and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, just let them come to room temperature and rise for about 30 minutes before baking.
Extra sweetness: If you want to add more sweetness, sprinkle a little powdered sugar on top after glazing for a finishing touch.