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Make your next sweet treat extra special with these adorable heart shaped doughnut holes. They’re made from pre-made cinnamon roll dough and fried to golden perfection. Coated in a simple glaze and cinnamon sugar, they come together quickly and are just right for Valentine’s Day or a surprise dessert. A quick strawberry cream cheese dip adds a fun twist and extra flavor. These little bites are guaranteed to be a hit with kids and adults alike.

Heart-shaped donut covered in cinnamon sugar, surrounded by candy hearts and a red heart-shaped cookie cutter—perfect inspiration for your next mini doughnut recipe.

These heart shaped doughnut holes are quick, fun and perfect for sharing. Make this cute Valentine’s treat in minutes using cinnamon roll dough and a simple dip.

You might also like gluten-free sugar cookies, red velvet sugar cookies, amaretti cookies, or vegan gingerbread apple cake.

Heart-shaped, cinnamon sugar donuts arranged in a white dish lined with parchment paper—perfect for trying out your favorite mini doughnut recipe.

Why You’ll Love It

Quick and easy: The recipe uses pre-made dough so it comes together fast.
Super cute presentation: Heart shaped doughnuts are perfect for themed treats.
Tasty dip included: The strawberry cream cheese dip adds a fun and fruity twist.
Great for sharing: These are just the right size for parties or gifting.
No fancy tools needed: A heart-shaped cutter is all you need to shape them.

Heart-shaped donut with a cinnamon sugar coating and a bite taken out, on a white surface—perfect inspiration for your next mini doughnut recipe.

Heart Shaped Doughnut Holes Ingredients

A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.

Cinnamon roll dough: A shortcut base that fries beautifully and holds its shape.
Canola oil: Used for deep frying to get the doughnuts crisp and golden.
Granulated sugar and cinnamon: Coating the doughnuts for that classic sugary crunch.
Icing sugar and milk: Makes a simple glaze to brush over the hot doughnuts.
Cream cheese: Adds richness and tang to the strawberry dip.
Strawberries: Brings fruity flavor and natural color to the dip.
Whipping cream and vanilla extract: Helps smooth the dip and boost flavor.

Baking ingredients in bowls on a white cloth, including powdered sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla—perfect for trying a mini doughnut recipe or mastering a fun cinnamon roll hack.

How to Make Heart Shape Donut Holes

For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.

Roll and cut the dough: Flatten the cinnamon rolls and use a heart shaped cookie cutter to make the heart shapes.
Fry the doughnuts: Cook in hot canola oil until golden, then drain on paper towels.
Glaze and coat: Brush with glaze, then coat in cinnamon sugar while still warm.
Make the dip: Blend cream cheese, strawberries, sugar, cream and vanilla until smooth.
Serve: Plate the doughnuts with the dip and enjoy while warm.

A pile of heart-shaped, cinnamon-sugar coated doughnuts—just like a mini doughnut recipe—rests on a white tray lined with parchment paper.

Substitutions and Variations

Use biscuit dough instead: If you don’t have cinnamon rolls, biscuit dough works too.
Try another fruit in the dip: Swap strawberries for raspberries or cherries.
Skip the dip: The doughnuts are delicious with just the cinnamon sugar if you prefer.
Make it dairy free: Use a plant-based cream cheese and milk substitute.
Add a filling: Although small, these could be filled. I would suggest Nutella! You can use 2 parts Nutella to 1 part heavy cream, and pipe it in using a pastry bag.

A hand holding a heart-shaped gingerbread cookie with a sugared surface, reminiscent of heart shaped doughnut holes.

Serving Suggestions

With a cocktail: Pair these cute heart shaped donut holes with a Valentine Strawberry Sweet n Sour Cocktail.
As part of a Valentine’s gift box: Package these up in a Valentine’s Day treat box along with some marshmallow pops and cute heart cookies.
With more sweet treats: Serve them up with Lucky Charms donuts or a slice of strawberry poke cake.

Heart-shaped brown cookies in a white dish, with a bottle of milk and cinnamon sticks nearby—perfect inspiration for your next mini doughnut recipe or cinnamon roll hack.

How to Store Heart Shaped Doughnut Holes

Store: You can store these in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
Freeze: Let them cool completely and then freeze in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 2 months.
Thaw: Pop frozen doughnut holes in a 350°F oven for 5 minutes or until thawed in the center. 

Heart-shaped churro surrounded by cinnamon sticks and more churros on a white surface—perfect inspiration for your next heart shaped doughnut holes or cinnamon roll hack.

Top Tips

Don’t overcrowd the oil: Fry in batches so they cook evenly.
Use a thermometer: Keep the oil at the right temperature for even frying.
Glaze while warm: That way the sugar coating sticks perfectly.
Serve immediately: These are best enjoyed fresh while still warm and crisp.

A hand holds a dish of heart-shaped doughnut holes, cinnamon-coated and lined up closely together—perfect for trying out a fun mini doughnut recipe.

Heart Shaped Doughnut Holes FAQs

Do I have to let the dough rise before baking?

This step is completely optional for this cinnamon roll hack mini doughnut recipe, but you can choose to let the dough rise for about half an hour somewhere warm. This can be on top of the refrigerator, in a sunny spot on the windowsill or even on the countertop if your kitchen is warm.

What’s the history of doughnuts?

Doughnuts originated with the Dutch, who made ‘olykoek’ or oily cake, a New Year’s Eve treat. Dutch settlers brought them to New York in the 1700s. The dough was fried in hog’s fat and called dough-nuts. By the 1800s, they looked more like modern doughnuts, usually round or with a hole in the center to help them cook evenly. Heart shaped doughnuts came much later.

Is “donut” or “doughnut” the right spelling?

The spelling of “doughnut” is the traditional one, although “donut” is an alternative spelling, often seen in the United States. No matter whether you spell them as the traditional doughnut or the shortened donut, everyone knows what you are talking about.

Heart-shaped cinnamon sugar donuts in a white dish on a white surface, cinnamon sticks nearby—perfect for trying a mini doughnut recipe or your favorite cinnamon roll hack.

Mini Sugar Doughnut Holes Recipe

5 from 7 votes

Heart Shaped Doughnut Holes

These mini doughnut holes are shaped like hearts and made from cinnamon roll dough. They’re fried, glazed and tossed in cinnamon sugar. A simple strawberry cream cheese dip makes them even better.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 12

Ingredients 

Instructions 

Prepare the Doughnuts

  • In a Dutch oven or saucepan, heat 2 inches of canola oil to 350°F.
  • In a large mixing bowl, mix granulated sugar with cinnamon. In a separate bowl, whisk powdered sugar and warm milk.
  • Lightly flour a flat surface area or cutting board. Separate the biscuits and roll flat with a rolling pin to about ½-inch thick. Use a 2-inch heart shaped cookie cutter to cut dough into small hearts.

Fry Them

  • Carefully drop the hearts into the canola oil and fry for 1 minute per side. Remove from oil with a slotted spoon and place on a paper towel lined plate to drain excess oil.

Coat with Cinnamon Sugar

  • Place donuts on a wire rack over a cookie sheet or covered surface to catch any spills.
  • Brush donuts with glaze, then dip both sides in cinnamon sugar mixture. It's best to do one at a time so the glaze does not set before dipping.
  • Repeat with all donuts.

Prepare the Dip

  • Add cream cheese, strawberries, sugar, whipping cream, and vanilla extract to a food processor or blender.
  • Pulse for 15 to 20 seconds, or until smooth.

Serve and Enjoy

  • Serve the mini heart shaped donuts with dip.

Notes

Don’t overcrowd the oil: Fry in batches so they cook evenly.
Use a thermometer: Keep the oil at the right temperature for even frying.
Glaze while warm: That way the sugar coating sticks perfectly.
Serve immediately: These are best enjoyed fresh while still warm and crisp.

Nutrition

Calories: 184kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 9mg | Sodium: 25mg | Potassium: 31mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 25g | Vitamin A: 121IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 31mg | Iron: 1mg
Like this recipe? Rate and comment below!

These heart shaped doughnut holes are easy to make, fun to share and perfect for adding a little sweetness to any occasion. With a crisp sugar coating and fruity dip on the side, they’re a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. You don’t need a ton of ingredients or time, just some dough, a little oil and a heart-shaped cutter. Serve them warm and watch them disappear fast.

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Bella Bucchiotti

Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.

 

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Recipe Rating




5 from 7 votes (4 ratings without comment)

8 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    These heart-shaped mini sugar doughnuts are simply delightful! Everyone in the family loved every bite!

  2. 5 stars
    These heart-shaped donuts are such a nice idea especially as Valentine’s Day is coming up. I will try to make them with my kids.