8 Secrets Cinnabon Doesn’t Want You To Know — Eat This Not That

By Ghuman

Introduction

Cinnabon is a beloved bakery chain that has been around for decades. But did you know that there are some secrets that Cinnabon doesn’t want you to know? From the ingredients they use to the calorie counts of their treats, there are some things that Cinnabon would rather you not know. In this article, we’ll reveal 8 secrets Cinnabon doesn’t want you to know. We’ll also provide some healthier alternatives to Cinnabon’s treats so you can still enjoy a sweet treat without all the guilt. So, let’s get started!

8 Secrets Cinnabon Doesn’t Want You To Know

Cinnabon is a beloved bakery chain that has been around since 1985. The company is known for its delicious cinnamon rolls, but there are some secrets that Cinnabon doesn’t want you to know. Here are 8 secrets Cinnabon doesn’t want you to know.

1. The Cinnamon Rolls Are Not Freshly Baked

Cinnabon’s cinnamon rolls are not freshly baked in-store. The rolls are actually shipped frozen and then reheated in the oven. This means that the rolls are not as fresh as they appear.

2. The Frosting Is Not Made From Scratch

The frosting on Cinnabon’s cinnamon rolls is not made from scratch. The frosting is actually a pre-made mix that is heated up and spread on the rolls.

3. The Cinnamon Rolls Contain Trans Fats

Cinnabon’s cinnamon rolls contain trans fats, which are unhealthy fats that can increase your risk of heart disease. Trans fats are used to give the rolls a flaky texture.

4. The Rolls Contain High Levels of Sugar

Cinnabon’s cinnamon rolls contain high levels of sugar, which can lead to weight gain and other health problems. One roll contains over 40 grams of sugar, which is more than the recommended daily intake.

5. The Rolls Contain Artificial Flavors

Cinnabon’s cinnamon rolls contain artificial flavors, which are chemicals that are used to enhance the flavor of the rolls. These artificial flavors can be unhealthy if consumed in large amounts.

6. The Rolls Contain High Levels of Sodium

Cinnabon’s cinnamon rolls contain high levels of sodium, which can lead to high blood pressure and other health problems. One roll contains over 500 milligrams of sodium, which is more than the recommended daily intake.

7. The Rolls Contain Preservatives

Cinnabon’s cinnamon rolls contain preservatives, which are chemicals that are used to extend the shelf life of the rolls. These preservatives can be unhealthy if consumed in large amounts.

8. The Rolls Contain High Levels of Calories

Cinnabon’s cinnamon rolls contain high levels of calories, which can lead to weight gain and other health problems. One roll contains over 500 calories, which is more than the recommended daily intake.

Cinnabon’s cinnamon rolls may be delicious, but they are not the healthiest option. Knowing these secrets can help you make better choices when it comes to your food.

Bet you can’t think of Cinnabon without having delicious, fluffy cinnamon rolls come to mind. For almost four decades, Cinnabon has been the king of cinnamon rolls. What started out as a shop in a Seattle mall in the 1980s has grown into a global brand with over 1,500 franchise locations in 45 countries. Cinnabon now exists as a household name—you’ve probably enjoyed one of the chain’s treats while visiting an amusement park or have picked some Cinnabon up while shopping at your local mall.

However, Cinnabon isn’t all sugar, spice, and everything nice. From baking with an ingredient that is made from algae to using a trick to attract customers into its stores, read ahead for some of Cinnabon’s secrets they probably don’t want you to know. And yes, there is a reason why there are so many Cinnabons in malls and airports.

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cinnabon employee
Cinnabon / Facebook

No, you are not imagining it, you can smell the inside of a Cinnabon shop even before you open its doors. And there’s a reason for it. According to the Wall Street Journal, Cinnabon uses scent as a strong marketing tool. In between baking batches of cinnamon rolls, store operators will heat baking sheets of brown sugar and cinnamon to keep the smell of freshly made rolls in the air longer.

In addition, the ovens are located at the front of the stores for a reason.  According to Mashed, they also instruct franchise owners to get the least effective over hoods legally required so that the scent permeates the space. Talk about smart marketing!

cinnabon classic roll
Courtesy of Cinnabon

Brace yourselves. Cinnabon’s Classic Roll, which is probably the treat that people associate most with the popular chain, has a whopping 880 calories. Even more shocking is that this tasty dessert is also packed with 1150 milligrams of sodium, 37 grams of fat (16 grams saturated), 129 grams of carbs, and 61 grams of sugar! But, the worst offender is the Caramel Pecanbon with 1090 calories, 51 grams of fat (20 saturated) ,149 grams of carbs, and 77 grams of sugar! That’s over three days’ worth of recommended sugar for the average woman. P.S. that without an extra side of frosting which will add an additional 220+ calories and 23+grams of sugar.

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Shutterstock

After Carrie Fisher passed away, Cinnabon posted a tribute to the actor drawn in cinnamon with an insensitive caption that read: “RIP Carrie Fisher, you’ll always have the best buns in the galaxy.” This was in reference to her iconic, cinnamon bun-like hairstyle in the original Star Wars. Fans on social media were offended by the apparent use of her untimely death to promote the company.

Cinnabon baking tray
Cinnabon/Facebook

Replicating Cinnabon’s cinnamon rolls from scratch at home may be difficult, but it can be done. This is because its secret ingredient is not so secret anymore. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Cinnabon’s most precious ingredient is cinnamon—but not just any old cinnamon. The cinnamon the brand uses is called Makara, which is a very sweet cinnamon taken from cassia trees in Indonesia. According to Taste of Home, Cinnabon trademarked Makara cinnamon back in 1996. This means you can only buy this sweet spice that is perfect for home baking through the famous chain.

cinnabon in mall
Westfield Southcenter Cinnabon / Facebook

When Rich Komen called on recipe developer Jerilyn Brusseau to craft the perfect cinnamon roll for his Cinnabon concept, he required many things: The rolls needed to bake for half the time of traditional ones, the cinnamon needed to be perfect, and they needed to stand out. They got very close to perfection, but something was missing. ” I started thinking about my grandmother,” Brusseau told a radio station. “What would she have done? And the big idea came, and that was the day. That’s Cinnabon’s secret!” However, she will not reveal what that is.

cinnabon order and store
Cinnabon / Facebook

One of the ingredients in Cinnabon’s Classic Roll comes from a pretty unexpected source–seaweed. According to Mel Magazine, Cinnabon uses an ingredient called sodium alginate in its recipe. This natural polysaccharide is created from brown algae and is used in the food industry as a thickener and stabilizer. The more you know!

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cinnabon frosting filled cinnapastry

If you think you have to track down a Cinnabon shop every time you get a craving for one of its ooey-gooey frosted cinnamon rolls, then think again. Cinnabon now has a whole line of frozen items available at your local Walmart. The best part is that the beloved brand offers so much more than just cinnamon rolls—you can expect other fun creations including Frosting Filled CinnaPastry and CinnaBiscuit Chicken Sandwiches, right in your frozen food section, too.

cinnabon store
Courtesy of Cinnabon

If you realized you’ve never come across a standalone Cinnabon shop before, then you are not alone. This is because Cinnabon is usually found stationed only in crowded areas, such as malls, amusement parks, and airports. According to Mashed, Cinnabon does this so they can be located in high foot traffic areas where people are guaranteed to be, which all comes back to that irresistible smell…

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Brittany Natale

Brittany Natale is a food and lifestyle writer. Read more