Hint: It’s actually a pretty obvious ingredient in the recipe.
The Secret Ingredient That Makes Cinnabon’s Cinnamon Rolls So Delicious
Some people might say that the best smell in the world is the smell of fresh air at the beach or the laundry that just came out of the dryer, but really, it’s Cinnabon’s cinnamon rolls. Have you ever passed by one of their stores and been drawn in by the delicious aroma? You’re not the only one. They use one secret ingredient that entices every customer to buy one of their delicious desserts: cinnamon. Did you know you can now make your own Cinnabon copycat at home?
Clearly cinnamon isn’t a secret ingredient in the recipe for cinnamon rolls, but it’s the type of cinnamon they use that’s key. They call it Makara. It’s a less sweet, but way more flavorful, cinnamon from the Korintjie region of West Sumatra in Indonesia. They trademarked it in 1996 and you can only buy it in their stores.
“It’s what provides that unmistakable aroma and ooey-gooey thick consistency to Cinnabon’s world-famous cinnamon rolls and our other irresistible baked treats,” said Jennifer Hollwill, Cinnabon’s Senior Director of Culinary Research and Development, in an interview.
Another irresistible ingredient that can only be found on Cinnabon’s cinnamon rolls is their frosting. The sweet and sticky cream cheese frosting is the perfect topping to pull the whole cinnamon bun together.
Now that your mouth is watering, you should probably start googling the closest Cinnabon because there is no chance that you’ll ever be able to make a cinnamon bun that tastes exactly like theirs.
Our Ooiest, Gooiest Cinnamon Rolls
Skillet Cinnamon RollsI love using cast iron to get a nice crust on these skillet cinnamon rolls. The pan also makes an impressive serving dish on the table without it looking as if you tried too hard. —Danielle Williams, Newport, Rhode Island
Bread Machine Cinnamon RollsThese bread machine cinnamon rolls are a sweet and gooey treat, dripping with flavor thanks to maple syrup, a fine spice blend and a dose of sugar too.
Chocolate Chip Caramel RollsAs a teenager, I keep active with sports and friends, but baking is my favorite hobby. My five older brothers eat these delicious breakfast rolls right out of the oven! —Julia Holm, Northfield, Minnesota
Caramel-Pecan Cinnamon RollsThese irresistible rolls are perfect as an Easter brunch idea! - Louis Jacobsen, Dallas, Wisconsin
Overnight Cinnamon RollsThe wait may seem hard, but these overnight cinnamon rolls are worth it. These rolls are made with a doughy, moisture-rich dough packed with cinnamony goodness and are the perfect addition to your weekend brunch spread. Serve them piping hot with the decadent glaze dripping down the edges.
Gingerbread Cinnamon RollsThese cinnamon rolls are sure to please anyone who has a sweet tooth. They're just the thing for a Christmas morning treat. Be sure to eat them while they're still warm—they're best that way! The dough for these rolls is sticky, so don't worry if your fingers get messy. —Andrea Price, Grafton, Wisconsin
Pretty Pumpkin Cinnamon BunsIndulge in these pumpkin cinnamon rolls for a cozy and delightful twist on the classic treat. Perfect for autumn mornings, these rolls are filled with pumpkin, cinnamon and a sweet glaze that will make your breakfast extra special.
Giant Cinnamon RollThis must-try cinnamon roll is all about the pillowy texture, the sweet spices and the homemade caramel drizzle. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Sticky BunsThese fluffy, sweet sticky buns are finished with a crunchy caramel-pecan topping. Serve a batch for your next weekend brunch or as the main feature of a holiday spread for Easter, Christmas or Mother's Day.
Toffee Apple Cinnamon BunsThis recipe was my dad’s favorite growing up. He would sit and watch his mom sprinkle the dough with sweet filling, carefully roll it up and cut it into rounds. The anticipation waiting for them to come out of the oven was almost more than he could bear. —Jeanne Holt, Mendota Heights, Minnesota
Pumpkin Eggnog RollsI needed to use up some eggnog, so I swapped it for milk in my sweet roll
recipe. Even people who usually don’t go for eggnog go back for seconds of these yummy frosted treats. —Rebecca Soske, Douglas, Wyoming
Red Velvet Cinnamon RollsIf you ever wished you could have red velvet cake for breakfast, now you can, thanks to these vanilla-iced red velvet cinnamon rolls.
Best Cinnamon RollsWhen I married him, I discovered that my husband's family has the best cinnamon roll recipe! I asked his mom how to make homemade cinnamon rolls, and I've been making them ever since. Serve them with scrambled eggs, and you have a filling breakfast. As a variation, you can replace the filling with a mixture of raisins and pecans. —Shenai Fisher, Topeka, Kansas
Cinnamon Roll Cherry CobblerRed Hots and canned cherries flavor this memorable dessert from my childhood. I hadn’t had it in years, so when I found my mother’s recipe, I had to make it to see if it’s as good as I remembered. It is! —Betty Zorn, Eagle, Idaho
Gooey Lemon RollsMy mother made these hard-to-resist rolls when I was young. I always warm up after having one, and so will your family. —Cora Patterson, Lewiston, Idaho
Cinnamon Roll CookiesI love cinnamon rolls, but working with yeast can be scary. These cookies give you the taste of a cinnamon roll in cookie form—no yeast required! They look like flattened cinnamon rolls and feel special enough to serve around the holidays. —Erin Raatjes, New Lenox, Illinois
Caramel-Pecan Sticky BunsMy mother used to make delicious cinnamon rolls when I was a child. Later, she taught my sister and me to make them. I've since added the caramel and pecans. These scrumptious sticky buns are a huge hit wherever I take them. —Judy Powell, Star, Idaho
Slow-Cooker Cinnamon Roll PuddingPerfect for dessert or breakfast, this sinfully sweet cinnamon roll bread pudding recipe is made with day-old cinnamon rolls, eggs, milk and raisins for a satisfying treat that practically makes itself in the slow cooker.
Autumn Sweet Rolls with Cider GlazeI love cooking with pumpkin because it’s versatile, colorful and nutritious. Combining it with chopped apple and cider gives these glazed rolls their autumn appeal. —Jennifer Coduto, Kent, Ohio
Bite-Sized Cinnamon Roll CookiesIf you love cinnamon rolls and spiced cookies as much as I do, make this bite-sized version that combines the best of both worlds. — Jasmine Sheth, New York, New York
Originally Published on Reader's Digest
