Cinnamon rolls

A cinnamon roll (also known as cinnamon bun, cinnamon swirl, cinnamon Danish and cinnamon snail) is a sweet roll commonly served in Northern Europe (mainly in Nordic countries, but also in Austria and Germany) and North America. In Sweden it is called ''kanelbulle'', in Denmark it is known as ''kanelsnegl'', in Norway it is known as ''kanelbolle'', ''skillingsbolle'' or ''kanelsnurr'', in Finland it is known as ''korvapuusti'', in Iceland it is known as ''kanilsnúður'', and in Estonia it is known as ''kaneelirull''. In Austria and Germany it is called ''Zimtschnecke''.

Pastry

A cinnamon roll consists of a rolled sheet of yeast-leavened dough onto which a cinnamon and sugar mixture (and raisins or other ingredients in some cases) is sprinkled over a thin coat of butter. The dough is then rolled, cut into individual portions and baked. The deep fried version is cinnamon roll or cinnamon bun doughnut. Its main ingredients are flour, cinnamon, sugar, and butter, which provide a robust and sweet flavor.

Origins

Roman spice traders introduced the Sri Lankan cinnamon spice to Europe.

Much later, Sweden began using it in its pastries, developing the ''kanelbulle'' (). Since 1999, October 4 has been promoted as Cinnamon Roll Day (''Kanelbullens dag''). Swedish kanelbulle dough typically also contains cardamom (powder or buds), giving it a distinctive flavour.

The size of a cinnamon roll varies from place to place, but many vendors supply a smaller size about in diameter and a larger size about to a side. The larger variety can be found in Finland, called ''korvapuusti'' (, "pulling someone's ear for disciplining"), where it can be up to in diameter and weigh up to .

Haga, a district in Gothenburg, Sweden, is well known for its very large cinnamon rolls. These cinnamon rolls are called ''hagabullar'' or 'Queen of the kitchen'. ''Hagabullar'' are usually or more in diameter and are, despite their size, not considered a communal roll. Each person usually orders one each.

National variations

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.

A German variety, which closely follows the form of the Scandinavian pastry, originating in Hamburg and its surroundings is the '' Franzbrötchen'', a cinnamon pastry inspired by the non-cinnamon French croissant.

The British version is called Chelsea bun, which they invented in the 18th century. It is now available in cafes, supermarkets, and bakeries across the UK.

American cinnamon rolls are frequently topped with icing (usually confectioners' sugar-based) and are sometimes fried, finished with glaze, and served as a variation of a raised donut. There are also regional combinations: in the American Midwest, especially Kansas, cinnamon rolls are commonly eaten with chili.

In Canada, they are known as cinnamon buns. They are usually self-glazed and not iced, nor do they usually have raisins. They can have so much cinnamon that they are spicy and hot to the taste.

In Austria and Germany they are available at every supermarket and bakery. Along with Topfengolatsche, Buttercroissant and Faschingskrapfen they are a typical pastry to have with afternoon coffee.

Cinnamon roll traditions

In Sweden and Finland, cinnamon rolls are traditionally enjoyed during a coffee break, or ''fika'', which is a get-together with friends. National Cinnamon Bun Day (''Kanelbullens dag'') is observed on October 4 in Sweden and Finland.

In North America, it is commonly eaten for breakfast or dessert. When eaten for a breakfast in the U.S., it may be served with cream cheese frosting.

Gallery

File:Korvapuusti1.jpg, Finnish ''korvapuusti''
File:danskkanelsnegl.jpg, Danish ''kanelsnegl''
Image:Kanelboller.jpg, Norwegian ''skillingsbolle''
File:Cinnamon-Roll-US-Bakery.jpg, American cinnamon roll

See also

* List of buns

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cinnamon Roll
Sweet breads
Swedish pastries
Danish pastries
Norwegian desserts
Finnish pastries
Icelandic cuisine
Estonian cuisine
German pastries
Austrian pastries
Buns
Cinnamon
American desserts
Canadian desserts