Wonderful Heart-Shaped Rolls

This recipe is the only one I use to make sweet rolls, since they are an enduring favourite of my family. And it is not easy to make something that pleases 10 people!

The rolls are soft, sweet, and shiny due to the sugar glaze I use. And they are super easy to make in the bread maker. For the fillings choose your favourites. I usually make them with poppy seeds and chopped walnuts.

The heart shape is a twist on the usual round rolls I make. These wonderful rolls are perfect to add something special for the cold evenings and the holidays, such as Valentine's Day!

For this baking project you will need:

- Bread making machine (I use it for kneading my dough. You can, of course, use a bowl and your hands.)

- 3 baking sheets

- whisk, small saucepan, and a rolling pin

Ingredients:

- 200 millilitres milk

- 200 millilitres water

- 4 teaspoon sugar

- 1 teaspoon salt

- 2 teaspoons dry yeast

- 150 millilitres vegetable oil (I used sunflower oil)

- 600 grams all-purpose flour

-In a small saucepan, combine milk and water. Heat over low heat until warm. Do not make it too hot! It will kill the yeast(40-44C is good).

-Combine warm milk/water mixture, sugar, salt, and yeast in the bread pan of the bread maker. Mix slightly with a whisk. Let the mixture rest for 10 minutes. You will see that the yeast got foamy.

-Switch the bread maker on and press the dough mode. As it starts mixing with its paddles, add vegetable oil and flour. When all flour is incorporated and the dough is smooth, let it rise for 1 hour. It will double in size.

You will need:

Flour for rolling out

1/2 cup melted butter

sugar (about 6 tablespoons)

poppy seeds, crushed walnuts, or cinnamon

Directions:

Divide the dough into 3 parts. Roll out the first part, on a floured surface, in a shape of an oval, thinly. Brush with melted butter, then sprinkle with sugar (about 6 teaspoons). Sprinkle with your choice filling. Roll up tightly.

To make the heart-shaped bun, slice the ''jelly'' roll into 1-1and 1/2 inch slices. Put the ends on the baking sheet as they are since they are not suitable to make the hearts. Now slice each piece lengthwise, not fully but more then 1/2. Look at the photos to see how I did this. The roll with crushed nuts was harder to make into hearts, but if you crush the nuts into really small pieces it should not be a problem. Repeat until you are finished with all of the slices. You can also make small round rolls by simply slicing the ''jelly'' roll. Place the cut rolls on a greased baking sheet and let rise for 20-30 minutes (cover with a clean towel). I will admit that when I am impatient, I bake them right away and they turn out wonderful!

Preheat oven to 360F and bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden. While the rolls are baking, make the glaze.

For the glaze you will need: 100 grams sugar and 100 grams water. The ratio of this glaze is 1:1.

In a small saucepan heat water and sugar over low heat. Bring to a gentle boil, until the mixture begins to thicken. Let cool for a few minutes. Brush over the rolls. Let the glaze set for 20 minutes and they are ready to be enjoyed!