Uncover our picks for the most effective cinnamon buns on the planet. This tasty listing consists of Scandinavian cinnamon buns and conventional American cinnamon buns plus extra.
Rising up within the USA, we thought that cinnamon buns have been an American factor. Maybe that’s as a result of we hadn’t seen the world but or possibly we have been influenced by commercials that includes the Pillsbury Doughboy. Sure, we grew up consuming Pillsbury cinnamon buns.
As children, we hardly ever resisted consuming a candy, buttery cinnamon pastry whether or not it was referred to as a cinnamon bun, a cinnamon roll, a honey bun or perhaps a danish. Nevertheless, we have been usually happiest when the pastry was raisin-free and topped with a beneficiant quantity of icing.
A lightbulb went of in our heads once we traveled to Stockholm and bit into our first (however not final) kanelbulle. That’s once we realized that modern-day cinnamon buns even have Scandinavian roots. They usually don’t all look alike. Some are formed in braids whiles others are twisted into crowns of interspersed pastry.We additionally realized that cinnamon buns and low are a culinary dream crew.
Enjoyable Reality
Cinnamon is an historic spice that’s usually extracted from timber grown in Asian international locations. There are two types of cinnamon – widespread cinnamon referred to as cassia present in China, Indonesia and Vietnam and ceylon cinnamon, a extremely wanted luxurious product present in Sri Lanka.
After experiencing that aha second in Stockholm, we’ve since eaten a wide range of cinnamon buns all over the world. A few of our favorites have been at espresso outlets whereas others have been at bakeries and cafes. There’s one thing comforting about consuming cinnamon buns in international international locations. The tasty pastries remind us of dwelling (regardless of their European origin) they usually style nice too. (It ought to come as no shock that France, a rustic with a prodigious pastry pedigree, produces a few of the greatest cinnamon rolls we’ve ever tasted.)
Professional Tip
Head to your native Ikea and order a cinnamon bun on the cafe if you happen to don’t have any European journeys in your close to future. The Ikea cinnamon bun is actually a Swedish kanelbulle. You should purchase a package deal of the megastore’s frozen cinnamon buns to bake at dwelling in case your craving is excessive.
Our Picks For The Greatest Cinnamon Buns
Our cinnamon bun journey began in America and continued within the Scandinavian international locations of Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden. Quick ahead to the current and we now benefit from consuming cinnamon buns wherever we discover them together with international locations the place it’s not the norm so as to add cinnamon to buttery pastries.
European Cinnamon Buns
Europe is a culinary epicenter well-known for a variety of savory meals that features coq au vin, currywurst and schnitzel in addition to candy treats like baklava, sacher tortes and the cinnamon bun. However not only one cinnamon bun. Every Scandinavian nation has its personal model, with most eschewing icing as the popular topping.
Cinnamon bun followers will need to eat kanelbollar in Norway, kanelbullar in Sweden, kanelsnegle in Denmark, korvapuusti in Finland, franzbrötchen in Germany and snúður in Iceland. That’s a given. However cinnamon bun followers will need to eat these pastries in different international locations too.
We’ve completed each and these are our favorites:
1. Kanelbulle (Stockholm)
Swedes have been obsessed with cinnamon buns for over a century. The everyday Swede eats more than 300 kanelbullar annually each at dwelling and whereas working – typically throughout fika espresso breaks. The nation even has an annual vacation, Kanelbullens Dag, that celebrates the nation’s iconic pastry.
Enticed by the aromas of cinnamon and cardamom wafting by the air, we ate our first kanelbulle upon our arrival at Stockhom’s Central Railway Station. For sure, these first buns have been removed from our final. We proceeded to take pleasure in day by day fika periods all through the town with our favourite being at Fabrique Stenungsbageri in stylish Södermalm.
Uncover easy methods to fika in Stockholm like a professional.
2. Kanelbulle (Amsterdam)
It’s simple to search out nice pastries in addition to nice specialty espresso in Amsterdam. With this in thoughts, we have been pleased to eat a kanelbulle at Scandinavian Embassy throughout our most up-to-date go to to the Dutch metropolis.
Baked on-site with regionally milled flour and topped with pearl sugar, Scandinavian Embassy’s kanelbulle didn’t disappoint these two cinnamon bun lovers. As a bonus, our iced latte was so good that we ordered a second.
Uncover extra nice Amsterdam coffee shops.
3. Kanelbulle (Rouen)
Whereas consuming pressed duck in Rouen was a precedence, pairing glorious flat whites with equally glorious kanelbullar was an sudden deal with. In any case, the Normandy metropolis is extra well-known for its epic cathedral and Jean d’Arc museum than it’s for its meals.
We contemplate ourselves fortunate on this regard for 2 causes. First, the town’s greatest espresso store was situated mere steps from our Rouen resort. And, second, Prélude Cafe‘s pastry choice adjustments day by day.
Uncover French pastries extra usually baked in Normandy.
4. Kanelsnegle (Lisbon)
Contemplating that the kanelsnegle is Denmark’s basic cinnamon bun, it appears ironic that we ate our first kanelsnegle in our Lisbon. Nevertheless, any potential irony is negated by the truth that we ate it at Copenhagen Espresso Lab, a Lisbon coffee shop that has Danish roots.
With a reputation that actually interprets to cinnamon snail, the kanelsnegle is flatter and wider that different cinnamon buns. Typical toppings embody powdered sugar, sugar glaze and even chocolate. The model we usually eat at our neighborhood Copenhagen Espresso Lab is topped with sugar glaze.
Uncover Portuguese pastries extra usually baked in Lisbon.
5. Kardemommesnurrer (Copenhagen)
Danes drink plenty of espresso, surpassed by solely Finland, Norway and Iceland. Nevertheless, primarily based on our private observations, the Danish cinnamon bun consumption fee is equally auspicious.
We joined the fray by consuming a number of cinnamon buns in Copenhagen together with flaky kardemommesnurrer at each Juno the Bakery and Lille Bakery. Each cardamom buns evoked recollections of kanelbullar we’d eaten in Stockholm. Nevertheless, Copenhagen’s pastries have been just a bit bit higher than their Swedish cousins.
Uncover extra notable Copenhagen bakeries.
6. Cardamom Croissant (Copenhagen)
It’s debatable whether or not Denmark or France has higher pastries. (We’re on crew France.) Nevertheless, there’s no debate that the cardamom croissant is a pleasant mash-up of the 2 pastry powerhouse international locations – particularly the one we ate at Hart Bageri.
That cardamom croissant was value each calorie. Initially made with leftover croissant dough and an entire lot of butter and sugar, the hybrid creation is now the favored bakery’s signature pastry.
Uncover extra Danish food favorites.
7. Kohrvapuusti (Helsinki)
We’re not pulling your ear once we say that we love Finland’s buttery, tender Korvapuusti. We’re additionally not poking your ear although korvapuusti actually interprets to ear poke.
Though the korvapuusti has a fame for being bigger than different cinnamon buns, the most effective ones we ate in Helsinki have been simply the suitable dimension. Loaded with cardamom, these candy Finnish cinnamon buns smelled as nice as they tasted.
Uncover extra nice food in Helsinki.
8. Kohrvapuusti (Portland)
The thought of consuming a korvapuusti in Portland could appear odd because the Oregon metropolis is 5,000 miles from the pastry’s homeland. However that’s what we did once we popped into Heart Coffee Roasters throughout our cross-country American street journey.
On the time, we didn’t understand that the espresso store’s proprietor, Wille Yli-Luoma, is Finnish and that we have been pairing our cappuccinos with a basic Finnish cinnamon bun. We simply knew that the korvapuusti‘s mixture of cinnamon, cardamom and pearl sugar was a winner. And the espresso was nice too.
Uncover extra Portland food favorites.
9. Kanelbolle (Stavanger)
It could be comprehensible to confuse Norway’s kanelbolle with Sweden’s kanelbulle primarily based on the names alone. However don’t do it. Not solely are Norwegian cinnamon buns their very own factor however in addition they go by two further names – kanelsnurr and skillingsboller.
Whereas basic kanelboller get their taste from cinnamon, some bakers add spices like cardamon in addition to chocolate and raisins. The one we ate at Renaa Xpress supplied a candy begin to our Stavanger morning.
Uncover extra Norway food favorites.
10. Franzbrötchen (Hamburg)
Don’t trouble on the lookout for a franzbrötchen in Berlin, Frankfurt or Munich. It’s not that Germany’s model of the cinnamon bun isn’t good. Quite, the difficulty is that the franzbrötchen is restricted to Hamburg, a German metropolis that’s simply situated 200 miles from Copenhagen.
We fell for the franzrötchen throughout our first journey to Hamburg and fell for it once more throughout our second and third visits. Impressed by France, therefore the title, the candy German pastry makes an ideal little breakfast or afternoon deal with. It’s particularly tasty when paired with coffee.
11. Kardemummabullar (The Catskills)
We did a double take whereas perusing the pastries at Kingston Bread and Bar in The Catskills when our eyes hit the signal for cardamom buns. After all, we had to purchase one.
Regardless of the signal, we had little doubt that these cardamom buns bought their inspiration from Sweden’s kardemummabullar. We later realized that one of many bakery’s homeowners has a Swedish mother-in-law.
Uncover extra foodie finds in Kingston.
American Cinnamon Buns
Though People have been consuming cinnamon buns since Germans and Swedish immigrants arrived within the seventeenth century, American cinnamon buns didn’t obtain peak reputation till Cinnabon entered the scene in 1985. The mall chain’s cinnamon buns grew to become immediately iconic each for his or her monstrous dimension and pervasive aroma.
Whereas we appreciated watching Jimmy/Saul/Gene working at Cinnabon on Better Call Saul, we favor splurging our calorie wad on American-style cinnamon buns at native bakeries and cafes whether or not the place in the US or one other nation.
These tare he greatest American-style cinnamon buns we’ve eaten to this point:
12. Traditional American-Type Cinnamon Bun (Tucson)
In America, cinnamon buns are decadent desserts that double as breakfast. Including a facet of butter and spoonable icing sounds completely superfluous. Or is it?
We nonetheless dream in regards to the freshly baked cinnamon bun that we ate throughout our brunch at Robert’s Restaurant in Tucson. Its facet of sugary glaze took the toasted deal with to a galactic stage, setting the bar for all future American-style cinnamon buns we eat.
Uncover extra spots to eat brunch in Tucson.
13. Cinnamon Bun with Sprinkles (New Orleans)
New Orleans is a metropolis well-known for desserts like bananas foster and beignets. Nevertheless, it might be short-sighted to rule out different candy treats like donuts and, in fact, cinnamon buns.
We had his revelation at La Boulangerie, a tony bakery on Journal Road within the Backyard District. Positive, we may have ordered a croissant, turnover, muffin and cookie however the bakery’s cinnamon bun smothered with vanilla glaze and colourful sprinkles was merely not possible to withstand.
Uncover extra irresistible desserts in New Orleans.
14. Truck Cease Cinnamon Bun (Colorado)
Though we don’t normally eat at truck stops, stopping at Johnson’s Nook Restaurant & Bakery, situated in Colorado, was a should. The truck cease, situated on I-25 between Denver and Fort Collins, is so well-known for its cinnamon buns that it bakes 15,000 of them every month.
The truck cease has been baking cinnamon buns and topping them with cream cheese frosting because the Nineteen Fifties. Adventurous diners can add further toppings like caramel apple, key lime and chocolate cherry. Nevertheless, there’s nothing incorrect with preserving issues easy by ordering a plain cinnamon bun.
Uncover extra American food favorites.
15. Shocking American-Type Cinnamon Bun (Florence)
Most individuals don’t hunt down cinnamon buns in Florence, as a substitute focusing their time on consuming pasta, pizza and traditional Italian desserts. Sadly, they’re lacking out on essentially the most genuine American-style cinnamon bun we’ve eaten on the European continent.
You can also eat this basic American cinnamon bun at Florence’s Melaleuca. One of many cafe’s homeowners grew up in Gainesville, Florida which explains the situation of this tasty pastry.
Uncover extra Florence food favorites.
16. Cinnamon Bun With Espresso Icing (Caen)
We didn’t plan to eat a cinnamon bun at Keys Coffee House in Caen throughout our multi-day tour of Normandy – our precise purpose was to drink specialty espresso on the cafe situated lower than an hour from the D-Day seashores. Nevertheless, skipping the cinnamon bun merely wasn’t an choice as soon as we noticed the superbly baked pastry within the Normandy cafe’s pastry case.
It was a great transfer. Not solely was the cinnamon bun flaky and light-weight, but it surely was additionally topped with wealthy espresso icing. Though the cafe’s kiwi proprietor was disenchanted that we didn’t order a signature donut too, we greater than glad with the bun.
Uncover our favourite donuts around the world.
17. Sourdough Cinnamon Bun (Philadelphia)
We have been happy to search out freshly baked sourdough pastries at Vibrant Coffee Roasters & Bakery close to Rittenhouse Sq. in Philadelphia. For the reason that common cafe’s cinnamon buns are topped with buttery cream cheese frosting, that’s what we ordered to go together with our espresso.
Not solely was the sourdough cinnamon bun large enough to share, but it surely additionally paired effectively with our cappuccinos. Profitable!
Uncover extra coffee shops in Philadelphia.
18. Cinnamon Bun with Creamy Icing (Prague)
Prague has a world meals fame that entails meat, meat and extra meat. However carnivores aren’t the one ones who can and will eat effectively within the hip Czech capital. Town has loads of choices for vegetarians, espresso drinkers and dessert followers too.
Since we match into the latter two classes, we couldn’t resist pairing a basic American-style cinnamon bun with a milky latte once we stopped at Café Letka in Prague’s Praha 7 neighborhood. The pair labored. It didn’t damage that the espresso was crafted with beans sourced from Amsterdam’s Five Elephant Roastery. The identical may be stated for the cinnamon bun’s creamy icing.
Uncover extra coffee shops in Prague.
19. Ooey Gooey Cinnamon Bun (Paris, France)
Cinnamon buns grew to become a factor in Paris when Circus Bakery opened in 2018. Sadly, that groundbreaking espresso store spinoff closed in 2021. Nevertheless, cinnamon bun followers produce other choices within the metropolis of sunshine.
Sunday in Soho is a type of choices. The Parisian brunch spot bakes ooey-gooey American-style cinnamon buns with makara cinnamon and tops them with cream cheese icing. For those who’re on the lookout for a basic Paris pastry, this cinnamon bun isn’t for you. However if you happen to’re an American on the lookout for a tasty deal with that evokes childhood recollections, you’re on the proper place.
Uncover extra Paris brunch spots.
20. Flavored Cinnamon Bun (Barcelona)
Typically we become bored with basic American-style cinnamon buns. It doesn’t occur typically but it surely does happen each blue moon. That’s when it’s time to combine issues up and eat a flavored cinnamon bun.
Since we have been tempted by the flavored cinnamon buns at Candela Canela, a devoted cinnamon bun store in Barcelona‘s Gràcia neighborhood, we’d wish to inform you that we ordered a taste like apple, dulce de leche, kinder, lemon or raspberry throughout our go to. Nevertheless, the reality is that we ordered a plain cinnamon bun to go together with our filtered espresso. Apparently, the moon wasn’t blue that day.
Uncover extra Barcelona food favorites.
Hybrid Cinnamon Buns
However wait there’s extra!
A few of our favourite cinnamon buns don’t match into the standard American and Scandinavian classes. The next cinnamon buns could also be distinctive however they’re tasty too.
21. Caramel Roll (Austin)
We get the urge to completely eat Texas BBQ and Mexican meals in Austin – the town does each exceedingly effectively. However there are different meals value consuming like donuts, sushi and… you guessed it… cinnamon buns. However not conventional cinnamon buns. We’re speaking about caramel rolls at Pieous.
These decadent buns are baked with cinnamon, brown sugar and Texas pecans earlier than they’re topped with house-made caramel and extra pecans. We’re not alone with our appreciation for this caramel roll. It’s common with Austin locals and has been featured in nationwide media shops.
Uncover extra Austin food favorites.
22. Laminated Cinnamon Roll (New York Metropolis)
Belief a New York Metropolis baker to bake a cinnamon bun that appears too fairly to be a cinnamon bun. The baker on this situation is Nora Allen and her cinnamon bun is a real magnificence.
To be clear, the cinnamon roll that we ate on the quickly closed Mel the Bakery wasn’t a typical cinnamon bun. Along with the anticipated cream cheese frosting, it was topped with an edible flower and candied fruit.
Uncover extra New York City food favorites.
23. Cinnamon Kouign Amann (New York Metropolis)
Brittany’s kouign amann will be the biggest pastry on the planet. It’s layered. It’s buttery. And it has caramelized sugar.
As if that pastry perfection isn’t sufficient, Chef Françoise Ip goes one step additional at Cafe D’Avignon by baking a kouign amann with each cinnamon and honey. Positive, you’ll find kouign amann pastries at different New York Metropolis bakeries like Dominique Ansel, however consuming one with cinnamon and honey is extra enjoyable.
24. Cinnamon Roll Pancakes (New Haven)
Why order plain pancakes when you’ll be able to order cinnamon roll pancakes as a substitute? That’s the rhetorical query we requested ourselves earlier than ordering the pleasant pancake-cinnamon bun mashup at The Pantry in New Haven.
The much less apparent query concerned whether or not or not we must always order a facet of pure maple syrup since our cinnamon roll pancake was topped with swirled cream cheese icing. After cautious consideration of our choices and in gentle of Connecticut’s proximity to Vermont, our reply was a powerful sure.
Uncover the most effective pizza in New Haven.
Cinnamon Bun FAQs
Cinnamon buns are rolled pastries baked with a wholesome quantity of each butter and cinnamon.
The cinnamon bun is a pastry with many names. A few of these names embody cinnamon roll, cinnamon swirl, danish, honey bun, franzbrötchen, kanelbulle, kanelsnegl, kanelsnurr, korvopuusti and skillingsbolle.
The fashionable cinnamon bun has roots in Sweden.
Whereas individuals eat cinnamon buns everywhere in the world, the pastry is hottest in Scandinavia and the US.
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About The Authors
Daryl & Mindi Hirsch
Saveur Journal’s BEST TRAVEL BLOG award winners Daryl and Mindi Hirsch share their culinary journey experiences and recipes on their web site 2foodtrippers. Since launching the positioning in 2012, they’ve traveled to over 40 international locations of their quest to deliver readers a singular style of the world.
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Authentic Publication Date: November 19, 2023
