Pink Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

These pink cinnamon rolls were born for Valentine’s Day. Seriously, they’re the kind of treat that makes your partner look at you like you’ve got magic hands. Soft, fluffy rolls filled with a luscious raspberry-strawberry filling and crowned with pink frosting—they scream, “I love you” in the sweetest, most delicious way possible.

I made these because I wanted something romantic but approachable. Something that says, “I care enough to bake, but I’m not a professional, so it’s okay if it’s a little messy.”

But the kitchen smells like a bakery, and a love song is basically playing in the background. Perfect for your Valentine, your best friend, your kids, or honestly, just yourself if you feel like treating yourself like royalty.

Why I Keep Making This Dish (The Real Reasons)

1. They’re Loudly Pink: There’s no confusion about the vibe here.
2. Soft, Gooey, Comforting: Emotionally supportive baked goods.
3. Impresses Without Explaining: People assume effort. Let them.
4. Perfect for Sharing: Or not. I won’t judge.
5. The Filling Is Jammy Magic: Sweet, tangy, and slightly chaotic.
6. Smells Like Happiness: Butter, sugar, berries. Enough said.
7. Feels Special: Not an everyday roll. A “light a candle” roll.

Tips I Learned the Hard Way

• Warm Milk, Not Hot: Too hot and the yeast dies. I’ve done it. It hurts.
• Let the Filling Cool: Hot filling equals soggy dough sadness.
• Don’t Rush the Rise: Yeast hates being rushed. Same.
• Use Dental Floss to Cut: Clean cuts, less squishing.
• Don’t Overfill: It will escape. It always escapes.
• Let Rolls Cool Before Frosting: Melted frosting is tasty but messy.
• Freeze-Dried Strawberries Matter: Fresh ones make the frosting weird.

Variations You Can Mess Around With

1. Extra Berry: Add chopped strawberries into the filling.
2. Chocolate Mood: Sprinkle mini chocolate chips inside.
3. Lemon Version: Lemon zest in the dough and frosting.
4. No Food Coloring: Skip it. They’ll still blush naturally.
5. Heart-Shaped Rolls: Because Valentine’s Day has no shame.
6. Glaze Instead of Frosting: If you want less sweetness.
7. Mini Rolls: Smaller rolls, same chaos.

How To Make Pink Cinnamon Rolls for Valentine’s Day?

Ingredients

For the dough

• 4.5 oz unsalted butter
• 1.7 cups milk, warmed to about 110°F
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 7 g yeast
• 1 lb all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 drop pink food gel

For the raspberry filling

• 3.5 oz raspberries
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon water
• 2 tablespoons cornflour
• 5 oz raspberry jam
• 1.7 oz strawberries, diced small

For the frosting and topping

• 2 oz butter, softened
• 1.8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 5.3 oz icing sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 fl oz milk
• 2 tablespoons freeze-dried strawberries, crushed
• 1/2 cup fresh strawberries, thinly sliced

Instructions

Step 1:
Melt the butter over low heat. Pour it into a bowl with the warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for about 10 minutes until foamy and alive-looking.

Step 2:
In a large bowl, mix the flour, salt, and pink food gel. Pour in the yeast mixture and stir until a shaggy dough forms.

Step 3:
Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for 8 to 10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1 to 2 hours until doubled.

Step 4:
While the dough rises, cook raspberries, sugar, water, and cornflour in a saucepan over low heat until thick and jammy, about 5 to 8 minutes. Stir in the jam and diced strawberries. Let cool completely.

Step 5:
Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13 baking dish. Roll dough into a rectangle about 1/4-inch thick. Spread the cooled filling evenly, leaving a small border.

Step 6:
Roll tightly into a log and cut into 9 to 10 rolls. Place in the dish, cover loosely, and let rise for 40 to 60 minutes until puffy.

Step 7:
Brush rolls lightly with milk and bake for 25 to 30 minutes until golden. Let cool for 10 to 15 minutes.

Step 8:
Beat butter and cream cheese until smooth. Add icing sugar and vanilla, then fold in crushed freeze-dried strawberries. Spread over rolls and top with fresh strawberry slices.

Nutritional Information

Nutrition	Value
Calories	497 kcal
Carbohydrates	77 gm
Fat	18 gm
Protein	6.5 gm

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive

How I Like to Serve This

1. On Valentine’s morning with coffee.
2. As dessert pretending it’s breakfast.
3. Warm, straight from the pan.
4. With candles even if it’s a Tuesday.
5. Cut small so I can eat three.
6. Shared with someone I like. Or myself.

Storage, Leftovers, and Next-Day Thoughts

• Best Same Day: Fresh is unbeatable.
• Airtight Storage: Keeps soft for about a day.
• Reheat Gently: Microwave for a few seconds.
• Frosting Holds Up: Still creamy later.
• Not a Freezer Star: Doughy texture suffers.

FAQs (Real Questions People Actually Ask)

Can I make these ahead?
Yes. Assemble, refrigerate overnight, bake fresh.

Do I need food coloring?
No, but it’s fun. And this is a fun recipe.

Can I use store-bought jam only?
You can, but the cooked berries add texture.

Why cornflour?
It thickens the filling so it stays put.

Can I use instant yeast?
Yes, just skip blooming and mix directly.

Are they super sweet?
Yes. That’s the point.

Can I halve the recipe?
You could. I wouldn’t.