Roll, sweet, cinnamon bun, no frosting
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
A sweet, spiraled roll of enriched dough, heavily spiced with cinnamon and sugar, offering a soft, pillowy texture with a slightly chewy crust. Without frosting, its flavor profile is a direct, warm balance of buttery dough and the sharp sweetness of cinnamon sugar. Nutritionally, it is a dense source of carbohydrates and sugar, providing quick energy but little protein or fiber.
Calorie split: 7% protein · 54% carbs · 39% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for the intoxicating aroma of warm cinnamon and the comforting, sweet, buttery flavor that evokes nostalgia and cozy mornings. It's a beloved classic, often enjoyed as a simple, unfussy treat that highlights the pure, sweet-spice combination without the distraction of frosting.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
Its high sugar and refined carb content can lead to a rapid blood-sugar spike and subsequent crash, making it a poor choice for those managing diabetes or energy levels. To counteract this, pair a smaller portion with a source of protein (like Greek yogurt) or healthy fat (like nuts) to slow sugar absorption and promote satiety.
Key benefits
- Quick source of energy from simple carbohydrates
- Provides a small amount of protein from wheat flour
- Contains trace minerals like iron and manganese from flour
- Convenient, portable snack or breakfast item
- Can be a comforting, mood-boosting treat in moderation
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The classic Swedish cinnamon bun, or 'kanelbulle,' was originally made with cardamom-spiced dough and is so culturally significant that Sweden has a national 'Cinnamon Bun Day' (Kanelbullens dag) on October 4th.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 24.8 g |
| Energy | 372 kcal |
| Protein | 6.2 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 16.4 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 50.9 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 2.4 g |
| Total Sugars | 31.7 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 72.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 1.6 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 17.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 76.0 mg |
| Potassium, K | 111 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 304 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.59 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.09 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 17.0 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 2.0 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.32 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.27 mg |
| Niacin | 2.4 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.11 mg |
| Folate, total | 72.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 48.0 ug |
| Folate, food | 24.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 106 ug |
| Choline, total | 41.3 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.14 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 62.0 ug |
| Retinol | 61.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 5.0 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 1.0 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 2.0 ug |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 70.0 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 2.0 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 4.4 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 3.1 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.05 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 2.4 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.63 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 4.8 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.07 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 4.7 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 7.5 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 7.0 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.43 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 66.0 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
Estimated from Candies, TOOTSIE ROLL, chocolate-flavor roll — USDA does not publish this profile for Roll.
| Tryptophan | 0.19 g |
| Threonine | 0.04 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.06 g |
| Leucine | 0.11 g |
| Lysine | 0.09 g |
| Methionine | 0.01 g |
| Cystine | 0.00 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.05 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.02 g |
| Valine | 0.08 g |
| Arginine | 0.06 g |
| Histidine | 0.03 g |
| Alanine | 0.06 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.20 g |
| Glutamic acid | 0.28 g |
| Glycine | 0.05 g |
| Proline | 0.03 g |
| Serine | 0.08 g |
| Hydroxyproline | 0.00 g |
FAQ
Is a cinnamon bun without frosting healthier than one with frosting?
Yes, it is generally lower in total sugar and calories, as frosting is a significant source of added sugar and fat. However, the bun itself is still a high-carb, high-sugar food.
Can I make a cinnamon bun with more fiber?
You can substitute part of the white flour with whole wheat flour or add ground flaxseed or chia seeds to the dough, which will increase the fiber content and slightly alter the texture.
Why is my cinnamon bun dry?
Dryness is often caused by overbaking or using too much flour in the dough. Ensure you measure flour correctly (spoon and level method) and bake just until the edges are golden and the center is set.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 3.72 kcal/g · 7% calories from protein · 2.4 g fiber · 31.7 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 2.74 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.