This European Country Is Said To Have Invented The Cinnamon Roll - Tasting Table

"The origins of food as beloved as the cinnamon roll can be controversial, but there is no doubt that Europe loves them. Most popular in the colder northern countries, almost every culture has a variation on the recipe, with Finland having their korvapuusti cinnamon pastries, and the rolled Danish kanelsnegle (cinnamon "snails") with their circular forms that are more familiar to Americans. But no country has embraced the cinnamon roll more than its purported birthplace of Sweden."

"We say purported because that is far from a settled matter, and most likely not true. Many sites will claim the modern cinnamon roll was invented in Sweden with the relaxed ingredient rationing after World War I, but what they are likely referring to is the specific Swedish variation called the kanelbulle. This is a more knotted cinnamon bun that is also flavored with cardamon, and it's wildly popular in Sweden."

Cinnamon roll origins are debated, with many European countries producing regional variations. Finland has korvapuusti and Denmark has rolled kanelsnegle with circular forms. Sweden has embraced the cinnamon roll, especially its knotted kanelbulle flavored with cardamom. Older bun forms date to the 17th century after cinnamon became more accessible via the global spice trade. The earliest recipe mention appears as schnecken in German cookbooks from the 1500s, and German immigrants to Pennsylvania likely brought coiled rolls to the U.S. American versions resemble the German coiled design rather than the Swedish kanelbulle. Average Swedish consumption exceeds 300 buns per person annually, aided by the fika tradition.

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