The views expressed in this Opinion article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Narcity Media.
When done right, cinnamon rolls can be a delicious treat, and I always aim to find the perfect store-bought version that resembles a Cinnabon bun for a cheaper price.
Costco Canada and IKEA are both go-to spots for affordable cinnamon rolls, so I put them to the test to see which one is actually reigns supreme.
I love cinnamon rolls because they remind me of my childhood but also feel like an adult dessert. The cinnamon and creamy icing make for a perfect combination, especially when the bun resembles a freshly baked bun.
When it comes to the best cinnamon roll out there nothing can beat Cinnabon for me, but unfortunately, the price tag is too hefty to make it my go-to spot.
So, I decided to put IKEA and Costco's cinnamon rolls to the test to see which one tastes like a Cinnabon and there's only one brand I'd buy again.
IKEA Cinnamon Rolls
IKEA Old Fashioned Cinnamon Buns
People have always raved about IKEA's Old Fashioned Cinnamon Buns, but until last week, I had never tried them. When I picked up the rolls, I first noticed how minimal the icing was on top, which caught me off guard because I love icing sugar.
What felt special about the buns was the sign next to the price tag that stated, "Bring home a taste of Sweden," which made the dessert feel more wholesome.
The package came as a pack of six cinnamon rolls for $6.99.
When I brought them home, I heated them up in a microwave and they were perfectly warm when I took them out. The rolls weren't very thick nor very doughy, but they were good.
The buns were aromatic, soft, and quite cinnamon-y. I enjoyed the flavours of the rolls because the IKEA buns were small, perfect for an after-meal dessert.
If you wanted a heavy cinnamon roll like you'd find at Cinnabon though, these are not it. But if you are looking for something lighter, less sugary, and with a more potent cinnamon taste, IKEA is where it is.
Price: $6.99 for six rolls
Costco Cinnamon Rolls
Costco's Cinnaroll Frosted Cinnamon Rolls.
In a different taste test, Costco won for the best cinnamon rolls, but people told me I should try IKEA's buns. Now that I have I can say that although they compete closely, Costco still reigns supreme.
Costco's Cinnaroll Frosted Cinnamon Rolls have the tastiest icing and moist buns, making for the best bites.
When heated, as per the instructions, the rolls feel just like they came out of the oven, and I could honestly eat the whole box.
The Costco cinnamon rolls come in a box with 16 buns in them, and the box mentions that they are "generously frosted," which proved to be true.
Even though the dessert might seem a bit heavy and dense, it was quite the opposite. The cinnamon rolls were light and fluffy.
Another perk about the Costco cinnamon rolls is you can actually store them in the freezer for up to 30 days, and they'll taste delicious regardless of when you eat them.
Costco's Cinnaroll Frosted Cinnamon Rolls might just be a tad bit better than Cinnabon's famous rolls because they are more affordable and taste just as good.
Price: $10.99 for 16 rolls
In conclusion, even though the IKEA Old Fashioned Cinnamon Buns were good, they weren't as great as the ones from Costco, and honestly, I don't think anything else can beat it.
Costco's Cinnaroll Frosted Cinnamon Rolls are not only cheap but they are so good that I'm literally salivating just thinking about them. They will be the only store-bought buns I will ever buy again.