We Just Found Out What Makes Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls So Good (2024)

Food News and Trends

That alluring smell and taste is all thanks to one trademarked ingredient.

Cinnabon's Secret Ingredient

It might not shock you to find out that the cinnamon used in the Cinnabon offerings is the key ingredient. But this isn’t just any cinnamon. This special Indonesian cinnamon, called Makara, is trademarked by Cinnabon. And because of that trademark, you won’t find this product in your local grocery store spice aisle.

According to the brand’s history, the father and son duo behind the cinnamon roll chain wanted to make the world’s greatest, most delicious cinnamon roll from scratch. The baked-good giant lists three components that set them apart from other retailers: fresh-baked dough, cream cheese frosting, and a proprietary blend of cinnamon (Makara).

What Is Makara Cinnamon?

Cinnamon is the bark from two major types of Laurel trees, Cassia Cinnamomum (grown in Indonesia) and Ceylon Cinnamomum (grown in Sri Lanka). When a cinnamon tree is around two years old, the plant is trimmed and covered with soil to help grow more like a bush. New growth shoots are born from this soil and their stripped, dried bark is what cinnamon is made from.

But what exactly is this special Makara cinnamon? Cinnabon owns the name of Makara and their exact blend is a trademarked secret, so we don’t know exactly. But we do know that it’s a cassia cinnamon that contains more essential oils than ceylon, producing a stronger aroma. Using Makara also results in a more gooey texture when liquid is added to it, giving the Cinnabon cinnamon rolls their signature softness.

When the stores aren’t baking a fresh batch of cinnamon rolls, they even place baking pans of this Makara cinnamon mixed with brown sugar in the ovens to entice customers with that irresistible scent. It’s hard to resist a good smell especially if it’s associated with warmth and coziness.

Where Can I Buy Makara?

Has all this talk of warm, pillowy rolls made you want to whip up a batch? Good news! Makara can be purchased in a Cinnabon store. Bad news: It’s not available in every store or online. Cinnabon meant business when they locked up their secret ingredient. Cinnamon from Indonesia is available for purchase from multiple online retailers but there’s only one true Cinnabon cinnamon.

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We Just Found Out What Makes Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls So Good (2024)

FAQs

Why are Cinnabon cinnamon rolls so good? ›

The baked-good giant lists three components that set them apart from other retailers: fresh-baked dough, cream cheese frosting, and a proprietary blend of cinnamon (Makara).

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What is unique about Cinnabon? ›

Under the canopy of the tropical forests in Indonesia, the cassia tree produces the sweet, luscious flavor that is exclusively known as Cinnabon^® Makara^® Cinnamon. It creates a one-of-a-kind experience you can smell and taste.

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What brand of cinnamon does Cinnabon use? ›

Our world-famous cinnamon roll is made with a combination of warm dough, legendary Makara cinnamon, and signature cream cheese for a freshly baked, irresistible sweet treat. Product availability and varieties vary by market.

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What is the most unhealthy Cinnabon? ›

Worst: Caramel Pecanbon

The Caramel Pecanbon, while a delicious treat from Cinnabon, is considered an unhealthy choice due to its high calorie, sugar, and fat content. A single serving packs a hefty caloric punch, often exceeding the daily recommended sugar intake in just one pastry.

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What is the difference between cinnamon rolls and cinnabons? ›

Structurally, cinnamon buns share the same spiral shape. They are sometimes thinner and more delicate. The most significant difference between cinnamon rolls and cinnamon buns is the inclusion of nuts. Cinnamon buns often have pecans, walnuts, or even raisins in the filling.

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What company owns Cinnabon? ›

GoTo Foods (formerly Focus Brands) is an American company that currently owns the Schlotzsky's, Carvel, Cinnabon, Moe's Southwest Grill, McAlister's Deli, Auntie Anne's and Jamba brands. It is located in Sandy Springs, Georgia, and operates over 5,000 stores.

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What does pouring milk over cinnamon rolls do? ›

Julie Clark, the blogger behind the website, notes that after years of research, she discovered that the key to getting perfectly gooey rolls is to “pour heavy cream over the cinnamon buns before baking. THIS is the secret ingredient and what makes the rolls rich and gooey.”

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Why are my cinnamon rolls not light and fluffy? ›

There are a lot of variables that go into the consistency of dough, even down to the weather and humidity. But the most common reason cinnamon rolls don't turn out fluffy is because the dough didn't have enough time to rise.

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Why are cinnamon rolls so addictive? ›

In fact, in one study, researchers included cinnamon rolls in the same category with other sweets that might be craved. Eating sugar activates the same brain chemicals that create addictions to other substances, such as alcohol. As a result, you can become addicted to sweets.

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What is the difference between a cinnamon roll and a Cinnabon? ›

Cinnamon buns are often sweeter, as the filling contains cinnamon and brown sugar. They also tend to have a layer of sugar baked in, which hardens into a sugary shell. Unlike cinnamon rolls, bakers do not add icing or frosting after baking.

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Why can't you refrigerate Cinnabon cinnamon rolls? ›

Why you shouldn't refrigerate Cinnabon. According to Serious Eats, after baking, the starch molecules in bread begin to recrystallize and harden, which is how bread goes stale. Refrigeration only accelerates that process.