{{short description|Sweet pastry}} {{Distinguish|text=Cinnamoroll, which was named after the cinnamon roll}} {{Redirect|Cinnamon bun|the Adventure Time character|List of Adventure Time characters#Cinnamon Bun|the unreleased Android Beta version|Android 17}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2019}} {{Infobox food | name = Cinnamon roll | image = Cinnamon roll in Stockholm.jpg | image_size = 250px | caption = A Swedish cinnamon bun or ''kanelbulle'' with pearl sugar | alternate_name = Cinnamon bun, cinnamon swirl, cinnamon Danish, cinnamon snail | creator = | course = | type = Sweet roll | served = | main_ingredient = Flour, cinnamon, sugar, and butter (or any other solid fat) | variations = | calories = | other = }} A '''cinnamon roll''' (also known as '''cinnamon bun''', '''cinnamon swirl''', '''cinnamon scroll''', '''cinnamon Danish''' and '''cinnamon snail''') is a sweet roll commonly served in Northern Europe and North America. Alternative recipes use puff pastry instead of yeasted dough, but are constructed using a similar method.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/puff-pastry-cinnamon-rolls|title=Puff pastry cinnamon rolls|website=BBC Good Food|access-date=25 June 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gimmesomeoven.com/puff-pastry-cinnamon-rolls-recipe/|title=Quick Puff Pastry Cinnamon Rolls|website=Gimme some oven|date=24 September 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://parade.com/food/ina-garten-puff-pastry-cinnamon-roll-trick|title=The Easiest Way to Make Cinnamon Rolls, According to Ina Garten|magazine=Parade|date=26 February 2025}}</ref>
==Description== thumb|Cinnamon mixture spread on dough before rolling A cinnamon roll consists of a rolled sheet of yeast-leavened sweet bread dough or Viennoiserie,<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LgmJSigqsqEC&dq=franzbr%C3%B6tchen+cinnamon+rolls&pg=PA90|title=I Love Cinnamon Rolls|author=Judith Fertig|date=2012|isbn=9781449420697|publisher=Andrews McMeel Publishing|page=ix}}</ref> onto which a cinnamon and sugar mixture (with some variations including brown sugar, raisins or other ingredients<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LgmJSigqsqEC&dq=franzbr%C3%B6tchen+cinnamon+rolls&pg=PA90|title=I Love Cinnamon Rolls|author=Judith Fertig|date=2012|isbn=9781449420697|publisher=Andrews McMeel Publishing|page=xii}}</ref>) is sprinkled over a thin coat of butter.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LgmJSigqsqEC&dq=franzbr%C3%B6tchen+cinnamon+rolls&pg=PA90|title=I Love Cinnamon Rolls|author=Judith Fertig|date=2012|isbn=9781449420697|publisher=Andrews McMeel Publishing|page=xiii}}</ref> The dough is then rolled, cut into individual portions and normally baked, however a deep fried version is called cinnamon roll or cinnamon bun doughnut.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://moribyan.com/cinnamon-roll-donuts/|title=Cinnamon Roll Donuts|website=Moribyan|access-date=26 June 2025}}</ref> thumb|Loaf of raw cinnamon roll dough being cut into individual rolls prior to being baked thumb|Uncooked cinnamon rolls
==Origins== Arab spice traders introduced the Sri Lankan cinnamon spice to Europe.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thefreeinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Reading-2.pdf|title=Bringing cinnamon to Europe|website=The Free Institute|access-date=26 June 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2021/10/18/harvesting-true-cinnamon-the-story-of-the-ceylon-spice#:~:text=Historian%20Nirmal%20Ranjith%20Dewasiri%20says,in%20the%20Indian%20Ocean%20trade.|title=Harvesting 'true cinnamon': The story of the Ceylon spice|website=Aljazeera|date=18 October 2021}}</ref> The origin of cinnamon rolls is unknown, but might be in Byzantium.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Reinhart |first=Peter |url=http://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/acref/9780199313396.001.0001/acref-9780199313396 |title=The Oxford Companion to Sugar and Sweets |date=2015-01-01 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-931339-6 |editor-last=Goldstein |editor-first=Darra |edition= |chapter=breads, sweet |doi=10.1093/acref/9780199313396.001.0001 |quote=Cinnamon buns are associated with Germany, where they were known as Schnecken, or “snails,” for their coiled shape. Although recipes for these buns can be found in early German cookbooks from the 1500s, they may originally have been introduced from Byzantium. The buns soon spread to many places, including Scandinavia, where various forms of kanelbullar are typically served with coffee. In the early eighteenth century, many Germans moved to Pennsylvania, bringing with them their sweet pastries and other food traditions.}}</ref>
The oldest recorded recipes for cinnamon rolls are from Germany in the 16th century.<ref name=":0" /> Cinnamon rolls spread from Germany to Scandinavia,<ref name=":0" /> introduced to Norway from Hanseatic traders through the port city of Bergen where it would become known as the ''skillingsbolle'' ({{literal translation|'shilling bun'}}),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.abcnyheter.no/reise/2014/07/07/203367/historien-om-skillingsbollen|title=Historien om skillingsbollen|website=ABC Nyheter|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181118035232/https://www.abcnyheter.no/reise/2014/07/07/203367/historien-om-skillingsbollen |access-date=20 August 2025 |archive-date=November 18, 2018 }}</ref> with the modern Swedish ''kanelbulle'' ({{literal translation|'cinnamon bun'}}) being created after the First World War. They spread to the United States with German immigrants.<ref name=":0" />
== Size == The size of a cinnamon roll varies from place to place, but many vendors supply a smaller size about {{convert|5|cm|sp=us}} in diameter and a larger size about {{convert|10|cm|abbr=on|sp=us}} to a side. One of the larger varieties can be found in Finland, called ''korvapuusti'' ({{literal translation|a 'cuff on the ear'}}, {{abbr|fig.|figuratively}} "pulling someone's ear for disciplining"), where it can be up to {{convert|20|cm|abbr=on|sp=us}} in diameter and weigh up to {{convert|200|g|abbr=on|sp=us}}.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Korvapuusti in Finland<!-- Bot generated title --> |url=http://virtual.finland.fi/netcomm/news/showarticle.asp?intNWSAID=40011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080226233802/http://virtual.finland.fi/netcomm/news/showarticle.asp?intNWSAID=40011 |archivedate=February 26, 2008}}</ref>
Haga, a district in Gothenburg, Sweden, has very large cinnamon rolls. These cinnamon rolls are called ''hagabullar'' or ''Queen of the Kitchen''. ''Hagabullar'' are usually {{convert|30|cm|in|sp=us}} or more in diameter and are, despite their size, not considered a communal roll.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kanelbullar.se/ |title=Kanelbullar.se |publisher=Kanelbullar.se |access-date=July 17, 2016}}</ref>
==National variations==
=== Europe === In Denmark the cinnamon roll is known as ''kanelsnegl'', in Sweden it is called ''kanelbulle'', in Norway it is known as ''kanelbolle'', ''skillingsbolle'', ''kanelsnurr'', or ''kanel i svingene.'' In Finland, a variation of the cinnamon roll known as ''korvapuusti'' is flavored with cardamom and typically topped with pearl sugar. In Iceland it is known as ''kanilsnúður'', and in Estonia it is known as ''kaneelirull''.<ref>{{cite web|author=The Free Dictionary|title=cinnamon snail|url=http://www.thefreedictionary.com/cinnamon+snail|access-date=April 17, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Carlson|first=Jen|title=Why The Cinnamon Snail Vegan Food Truck Is The Best Food Truck In Town|url=http://gothamist.com/2012/10/09/cinnamon_snail.php|publisher=The Gothamist|access-date=April 16, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130407040629/http://gothamist.com/2012/10/09/cinnamon_snail.php|archive-date=April 7, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://caprisserie.com/2016/05/22/cinnamon-buns-kanelsnegl/ |title = Kanelsnegl, The Danish answer to Cinnamon buns |website= caprisserie.com |date = May 22, 2016 |access-date=March 1, 2020}}</ref> In Austria and Germany, it is called ''Zimtschnecke''. In Slovakia and the Czech Republic, it is called ''škoricové slimáky''/''skořicoví šneci'' (meaning 'cinnamon snails').<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dobruchut.aktuality.sk/recept/45425/skoricove-slimaky/|title=Škoricové slimáky|website=dobruchut|access-date=26 June 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.toprecepty.cz/recept/33024-kanellbular-skoricove-sneky/|title=Kanellbular - skořicové šneky|website=Toprecepty|date=18 March 2013}}</ref>
Since 1999,<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 12, 2014 |title=Om oss |url=http://hembakningsradet.com/about/ |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190628184555/http://hembakningsradet.com/about/ |archive-date=June 28, 2019 |access-date=October 4, 2017 |work=Hembakningsrådet |language=sv-SE}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2017-10-04 |title=Så blev kanelbullen det mest svenska av alla bakverk – DN.SE |url=https://www.dn.se/mat-dryck/sa-blev-kanelbullen-det-mest-svenska-av-alla-bakverk/ |access-date=2017-10-04 |work=Dagens Nyheter |language=sv-se}}</ref> October 4 has been promoted as Cinnamon Roll Day (''Kanelbullens dag''), a national theme day, acknowledged by a significant portion of the Swedish population.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kanelbullens Dag 4 Oktober |url=http://www.kanelbullensdag.se/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110830181011/http://www.kanelbullensdag.se/ |archive-date=August 30, 2011 |access-date=June 4, 2010 |publisher=Kanelbullensdag.se}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Kanelbullar |url=http://sweden.se/culture/cinnamon-buns/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131108084233/http://sweden.se/culture/cinnamon-buns/ |archive-date=November 8, 2013 |access-date=March 25, 2013 |publisher=Sweden.se}}</ref> Swedish kanelbulle dough typically also contains cardamom (powder or buds), giving it a distinctive flavour.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ldNjDwAAQBAJ&q=Swedish+kanelbullar+dough|title=ScandiKitchen: Fika and Hygge. Comforting Cakes and Bakes from Scandinavia with Love|author=Bronte Aurell|date=2018|isbn=9781788790048|publisher=Ryland Peters & Small}}</ref>
The Swedish ''Butterkaka'' and Finnish ''bostonkakku'' ("Boston cake") is a cake made by baking cinnamon rolls in a round cake pan instead of baking them separately, so that they stick together to form a large, round cake.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.saunalahti.fi/~marian1/gourmet/14_11.htm |title=Boston cake |publisher=Saunalahti.fi |access-date=November 18, 2012 |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924114948/http://www.saunalahti.fi/~marian1/gourmet/14_11.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>
In Austria and Germany, they are widely available at supermarkets and bakeries. A German variety, which is similar to the Scandinavian style, originating in Hamburg and its surroundings is the ''Franzbrötchen'', a cinnamon-filled baked good inspired by the French croissant, which does not contain cinnamon.<ref name=Berlin>{{cite web|url=https://en.berlinoschule.com/franzbrotchen-the-german-croissant-born-as-rebellion-against-french-occupation/#:~:text=The%20Franzbr%C3%B6tchen%20%E2%80%93%20literally%20%E2%80%9Cfrench%20roll,to%20the%20addition%20of%20cinnamon.|title=Franzbrötchen, the German croissant born as rebellion against French occupation|website=Berlino Schule|date=5 April 2019}}</ref>
In the United Kingdom, cinnamon bun, cinnamon roll and cinnamon swirl names are all used, and generally available in most supermarkets and bakeries.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.olivemagazine.com/travel/uk/five-of-the-best-places-to-eat-cinnamon-buns-in-britain/|title=The best places to eat cinnamon buns in Britain|magazine=Olive|date=4 October 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.trolley.co.uk/explore/cinnamon-rolls|title=Top 10 Cinnamon Rolls|website=Trolley|access-date=26 June 2025}}</ref>
=== Americas === American cinnamon rolls are frequently large, baked in a pan and topped with cream cheese icing (usually confectioners' sugar-based) and are sometimes fried, finished with glaze, and served as a variation of a raised donut. In some areas, particularly in the American Midwest, cinnamon rolls are commonly served with chili, a combination that originated with school lunches in those areas.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kansas.com/living/food-drink/article177205201.html|title=Chili and Cinnamon Rolls, is this a Kansas Thing?|access-date=October 5, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kiniry |first=Laura |title=What's Up With the Pairing of Chili and Cinnamon Rolls? |url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/whats-up-with-the-pairing-of-chili-and-cinnamon-rolls-180979407/ |access-date=2026-05-08 |website=Smithsonian Magazine |language=en}}</ref> Some recipes include bacon pieces.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://store59449804.shopsettings.com/Bacon-Cinnamon-Roll-4pk-p464627869|title=Bacon Cinnamon Roll (4 pack)|website=Deutsch Apple Bakery|access-date=27 June 2025}}</ref>
In Canada, they are known as cinnamon rolls or cinnamon buns. They are usually self-glazed and not iced, nor do they usually have raisins.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.food.ubc.ca/ubc-cinnamon-bun/|title=UBC Cinnamon Bun|last=Tagliafierro|first=Angelina|access-date=January 12, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.acanadianfoodie.com/2016/12/19/homemade-cinnamon-buns/|title=Helen McKinney's Canadian Prairie Homemade Cinnamon Buns|last=Lugonja|first=Valerie|date=December 19, 2016|access-date=January 12, 2019}}</ref> They can have so much cinnamon that they are spicy and hot to the taste.
=== Asia === In Asian cultures, cinnamon rolls may be made using a yeast bread technique called tangzhong. The technique is associated with Japanese milk bread since it gives it a soft, feathery texture. By heating flour at exactly 65°C or 149°F, the starches within the flour will pre-gelatinize, causing it to thicken more than average. Tangzhong allows the starches to retain moisture for longer periods of time, resulting in a longer shelf life.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kingarthurbaking.com/blog/2021/02/05/tangzhong-method-soft-pillowy-cinnamon-rolls|title=A Closer Look at Tangzhong|last=Anastopoulo|first=Rossi|access-date=December 2, 2024}}</ref>
==Cinnamon roll traditions== In Sweden and Finland, cinnamon rolls are traditionally enjoyed during a get-together, including the consumption of coffee and or baked goods. In Sweden, the get-together is known as a ''fika'', typically held in the afternoon, by coworkers during a break, by friends or by family. National Cinnamon Roll Day (''Kanelbullens dag'') is observed on October 4 in Sweden and Finland.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://temadagar.se/kanelbullens-dag/|title=Kanelbullens dag – 4 oktober | Temadagar|date=October 3, 2009|website=temadagar.se}}</ref>
In Denmark, cinnamon buns are especially popular on Wednesdays, where an extra large variant called the Wednesday snail is sold. This tradition was specially invented during the 1990s<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://omveje.com/triviatirsdag-onsdagssnegl/|title=triviatirsdag: onsdagssnegl|date=August 22, 2017}}</ref> where the national football team usually played their games on Wednesdays.{{Cn|date=February 2025}}
Along with [https://www.tasteatlas.com/topfengolatsche Topfengolatsche], Buttercroissant and Faschingskrapfen, cinnamon rolls are a typical baked good to have with afternoon coffee, known as "Kaffe und Kuchen" in Austria and Germany.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxyfolksy.com/schneckennudeln-german-cinnamon-rolls/|title=Schneckennudeln (German Cinnamon Rolls)|website=Foxy Folksy|date=8 October 2024}}</ref>
In North America, cinnamon rolls are commonly eaten for breakfast or dessert. When eaten for breakfast in the U.S., they may be served with cream cheese frosting.<ref>{{cite web|title=Screamin' Cinnamon Rolls With Cream Cheese Frosting|url=http://www.food.com/recipe/screamin-cinnamon-rolls-with-cream-cheese-frosting-87768|website=Food.com|access-date=July 20, 2016}}</ref>
Cinnamon buns are particularly popular during the Christmas season in Slovakia and the Czech Republic. They form part of the traditional Christmas baking repertoire in many households, alongside other festive treats like vanilla crescents (vanilkové rožteky) and linzer cookies.{{Cn|date=February 2025}}
==Gallery== <gallery mode="packed" caption="National variations"> File:Korvapuusti1.jpg|Finnish ''korvapuusti'' File:Danskkanelsnegl.jpg|Danish ''kanelsnegl'' File:Kanelboller.jpg|Norwegian ''skillingsbolle'' File:Cinnamon-Roll-US-Bakery.jpg|American cinnamon roll </gallery> <gallery mode="packed" heights="180" caption="Baking process"> File:Cinnamon rolls shaped and ready to proof.jpg|alt=7 raw cinnamon rolls in a round pan, with some space between them to allow for expansion|Raw cinnamon rolls File:Cinnamon rolls ready to bake.jpg|alt=The rolls look puffier and have expanded to fill most of the space|Ready to bake after proofing File:Cinnamon rolls partially baked in a solar oven.jpg|alt=The rolls have expanded even more, to fill the entire pan from edge to edge with no gaps. The dough looks dry but is pale and soft|Partially baked rolls in a solar cooker File:Cinnamon rolls fully baked.jpg|alt=The rolls are dry and golden brown.|Fully baked cinnamon rolls </gallery>
==See also== * Ensaïmada * List of buns
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{cookbook|Cinnamon Bun}} {{Commons category|Cinnamon rolls}}
{{pastries}} {{Portalbar|Food|Europe|Sweden}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cinnamon Roll}} Category:Buns Category:Sweet breads Category:British cakes Category:German cakes Category:Cinnamon Category:Belgian cuisine Category:Czech_cuisine Category:French cuisine Category:Slovak_cuisine Category:American desserts Category:Canadian desserts Category:Norwegian desserts Category:Danish pastries Category:Swedish pastries Category:Finnish pastries Category:Icelandic cuisine Category:Estonian desserts Category:Austrian pastries Category:Viennoiserie Category:American breakfast foods