Zimtschnecke
[ˈt͡sɪmtˌʃnɛkə]feminine
The English phrase "cinnamon roll" is translated into German as Zimtschnecke. Wiktionary also lists Zimtbrötchen.
Meaning: rolled pastry flavored with cinnamon (noun)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Zimtschnecke | [ˈt͡sɪmtˌʃnɛkə] (narrow) | feminine |
| Zimtbrötchen | neuter |
Both German terms refer to a rolled pastry flavored with cinnamon.
What does it mean word for word?
The word Zimtschnecke is a compound of Zimt (cinnamon) and Schnecke (snail).
Which one should you use?
Zimtschnecke refers specifically to the spiral, snail-like shape of the pastry, whereas Zimtbrötchen refers more generally to a cinnamon roll or bun.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of Zimtschnecke is Zimtschnecken. While Zimtschnecke is a feminine noun, Zimtbrötchen is a neuter noun.
Did you know?
- German bakeries often sell Zimtschnecken without the thick cream cheese frosting common on American cinnamon rolls, preferring a simple sugar glaze or no topping at all.
- Unlike the American 'Cinnabon' style, German Zimtschnecken are frequently paired with a coffee and eaten as part of a 'Kaffee und Kuchen' afternoon tradition.
- In Germany, the Zimtschnecke is often sold as a 'Plundergebäck', which refers to a specific type of laminated yeast dough similar to a Danish pastry.
Examples in context
- Guten Tag! Ich hätte gerne eine Zimtschnecke, bitte.Good day! I would like a cinnamon roll, please.
- Die Zimtschnecken sehen köstlich aus!The cinnamon rolls look delicious!
- Wo finde ich die besten Zimtschnecken in der Stadt?Where can I find the best cinnamon rolls in town?
- Können Sie mir ein Rezept für Zimtschnecken empfehlen?Can you recommend a recipe for cinnamon rolls?
- Die Zimtschnecke schmeckt sehr süß.The cinnamon roll tastes very sweet.
- Ich möchte eine Zimtschnecke kaufen.I want to buy a cinnamon roll.
Example conversation
Laura and Lukas are at a small bakery in the morning.
- LauraLukas, schau mal, diese Zimtschnecke sieht toll aus!Lukas, look, this cinnamon roll looks great!
- LukasJa, die Zimtschnecke ist sehr groß.Yes, the cinnamon roll is very large.
- LauraSollen wir sie teilen?Should we share it?
- LukasDas ist eine gute Idee.That is a good idea.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cinnamon roll” translations and entries Zimtschnecke, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
