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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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Heart Shaped Doughnut Holes FAQs
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.
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.
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.
Mini Sugar Doughnut Holes Recipe
Heart Shaped Doughnut Holes
Equipment
- Dutch Oven or Large Saucepan
- Heart Shaped Cookie Cutter 2-Inch
- Food Processor or Blender
Ingredients
- 1 Can cinnamon rolls dough, pre-made
- canola oil, for frying
- ¼ Cup granulated sugar
- 2 Tablespoons ground cinnamon
- 2 Cups icing sugar
- ¼ Cup milk, warmed
- 4 Ounces cream cheese
- ½ Cup strawberries, fresh
- 2 Tablespoons icing sugar
- 1 Tablespoon whipping cream
- 1 Teaspoon vanilla extract
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
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
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.
Other Recipes to Try
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.
These heart-shaped mini sugar doughnuts are simply delightful! Everyone in the family loved every bite!
This recipe exceeded my expectations! The taste was delightful, and it came together quickly.
These look so yummy and they come in such a fun shape!
This looks like such a yummy recipe for me to try out! I can’t wait to give it a go myself, thank you!
oooooh yummy – I love donut holes. Will have to surprise the hubs with these in the morning. Thank you
It’s so cute. My friends would definitely love this for Galentine’s.
Mini cinnamon sugar donuts! Yes, please!! My son and I will be fighting over these! Lol
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.