Sweet Cinnamon Rolls

Jennifer IserlohI call cinnamon "America's favorite spice." Not only can you find it in millions of recipes and products, but I have never met anyone who doesn't like it.

Many people know that cinnamon comes from the bark of a tree, but there are actually two types of cinnamon in this country. The one originating in Ceylon (that's Sri Lanka now) is known as "true" cinnamon and is still used and cultivated in Mexico.

Ceylon cinnamon has a mellow, earthy aroma and sweeter taste than the other variety, which comes from Indonesia and is called "cassia." Ceylon cinnamon happens to be softer in texture -- making it easier to grind. It can even be crumbled between your fingertips.
Mentioned in the Bible and highly prized in ancient power cultures like Rome and Egypt, this oldest of spices was often used in religious and state rituals as well as for medicinal purposes. In the ancient science of Ayurveda, cinnamon is considered a "warming" spice that helps raise the body temperature, important for keeping sickness at bay in the winter months and maintaining metabolism, and provides a general cozy feeling.


Get the Skinny Chef's Sweet Cinnamon Rolls recipe.

Nutritional info per serving (1 cinnamon roll):
86 calories, 2 grams protein, 17grams carbohydrates, 1 gram fat (0 gram saturated), 13 milligrams cholesterol, 2 grams fiber, 47 milligrams sodium.