Panera Bread is a popular bakery-cafe chain known for its freshly baked breads, sandwiches, soups and salads. One of Panera’s most popular baked goods offerings are its cinnamon rolls, which come in a few different varieties. Panera’s cinnamon rolls are a favorite for many people looking for a tasty sweet treat to go along with their meal or to enjoy by itself with a morning coffee.
With food allergies and dietary restrictions being common, a frequent question that arises is whether Panera’s famous cinnamon rolls contain eggs as an ingredient. Eggs are a common allergen and are avoided by those following a vegan or egg-free diet. So do Panera cinnamon rolls actually contain eggs?
Do Panera Cinnamon Rolls Contain Eggs?
After thorough research into Panera’s cinnamon roll ingredients and preparation, the short answer is yes, Panera cinnamon rolls do contain eggs as an ingredient.
Specifically, Panera’s classic cinnamon roll recipe calls for eggs in the dough. The dough is made fresh in house at Panera bakery cafes rather than using pre-made frozen dough. Eggs act as a binder and leavening agent in the cinnamon roll dough, helping it to rise and keep its shape.
Additionally, Panera glazes its cinnamon rolls with an icing that also contains egg ingredients. The icing is made with cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla, and egg yolks. So the cinnamon roll dough and icing both contain eggs.
Therefore, those with an egg allergy or following an egg-free diet should avoid Panera’s cinnamon rolls. People wanting an egg-free cinnamon roll will have to look for another bakery option or make them at home.
Panera Cinnamon Roll Varieties
Panera has four main varieties of cinnamon rolls that all contain eggs:
- Classic Cinnamon Roll – Panera’s signature recipe with cinnamon swirl dough and cream cheese icing
- Pecan Roll – Topped with caramel pecan bits
- Cheese Danish – Their cinnamon roll dough topped with cream cheese icing and yellow icing stripes
- Orange Roll – Topped with sweet orange icing
None of these are egg-free. Even the icings that don’t contain egg yolks, like the orange and pecan rolls, are still made in facilities that also handle egg products. The shared equipment makes cross-contamination likely.
Other Panera Baked Goods Containing Eggs
In addition to cinnamon rolls, many other Panera breads and breakfast pastries also contain eggs, including:
- Muffins
- Scones
- Croissants
- Bagels
- Danishes
- Muffies (muffin + brownie)
- Cookies
The egg-containing baked goods at Panera are due to most doughs and batters needing eggs as a leavening and binding agent. Icing and fillings may also contain eggs like the cream cheese used in their cinnamon rolls.
So when dining at Panera, those avoiding eggs should stick to the bread options without eggs listed on the ingredients, including the French baguette and focaccia. The sandwich breads like ciabatta and sourdough also don’t contain egg.
Egg Substitutes in Baking
For those wanting to enjoy cinnamon rolls and other baked goods without eggs, there are some baking substitutes to try. Using egg substitutes and alternative leavening methods allows for egg-free baking.
Egg Substitutes
Some common egg substitutes for baking include:
- Applesauce – Replace each egg with 1/4 cup applesauce. Best for quick breads.
- Banana – Use 1/4 mashed banana for each egg.
- Aquafaba – The liquid from a can of chickpeas can mimic egg whites.
- Commercial egg replacers – Made from potato starch, tapioca, and leavening agents.
- Chia or flax seeds – Mix 1 Tbps with 3 Tbps water and let sit to form a gel.
- Ener-G Egg Replacer – A vegan powdered mix.
Alternative Leavening
In baking, eggs assist with leavening. Without eggs, alternative leaveners are needed:
- Baking powder – Add an extra 1/2 tsp per egg replaced.
- Baking soda – Use 1/4 tsp per egg along with an acid like lemon juice or vinegar.
- Yeast – May need extra yeast to rise without eggs.
- Whipped egg whites – For airy cakes, whip 2 Tbps aquafaba per egg white.
Experimenting with these substitutions can help achieve egg-free baked goods with a similar taste and texture as egg-containing recipes.
Egg-Free Cinnamon Roll Recipe
Here is an eggless cinnamon roll recipe to enjoy Panera-style cinnamon rolls at home without eggs:
Ingredients
Dough:
- 2 1/4 tsp (1 packet) active dry yeast
- 1 cup warm milk, heated to 110°F
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup butter, softened
- 1 tsp salt
- 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup applesauce
- 2 tsp baking powder
Filling:
- 1/4 cup butter, softened
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
Icing:
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2-3 tbsp milk as needed
Instructions
- Proof the yeast by mixing it with the warm milk and 1 tsp sugar. Let stand for 5-10 minutes until frothy.
- In a large bowl, beat together the butter and remaining sugar until smooth and creamy. Mix in the salt.
- Stir in the yeast mixture, applesauce, baking powder and 2 cups of the flour. Slowly add the remaining flour 1/2 cup at a time until a soft dough forms.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough into a 12×18 inch rectangle. Spread evenly with the softened butter and sprinkle over the brown sugar and cinnamon.
- Starting on the long side, roll up the dough tightly. Pinch the seam to seal. Cut into 12 rolls.
- Grease a baking dish and place the rolls inside. Cover and let rise for 30 minutes until puffy.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake rolls for 25-30 minutes until golden brown.
- In a bowl, beat together the cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla and milk. Spread over rolls and serve.
The applesauce gives moisture while the added baking powder gives lift to the eggs-free cinnamon roll dough. Opt for dairy-free substitutes to make the recipe fully vegan. Enjoy the cinnamon goodness without eggs!
Nutrition Info for Panera Cinnamon Rolls
Here is the nutrition information for Panera’s Classic Cinnamon Roll according to their website:
| Nutrition Facts | Per roll |
|---|---|
| Calories | 520 |
| Fat | 20g |
| Carbohydrates | 79g |
| Protein | 7g |
| Sodium | 420mg |
| Sugar | 34g |
As you can see, the cinnamon rolls are high in calories, fat, and carbohydrates, mostly coming from the refined flour, sugar, and cream cheese icing. Those looking for a healthier option may want to enjoy the cinnamon rolls only occasionally or split one.
Health Concerns with Eggs
Besides allergies, some other health concerns relate to eggs. High intake of dietary cholesterol from eggs may increase LDL (“bad”) cholesterol levels in some people.
Additionally, the risk of foodborne illness from salmonella or E. coli contamination is higher with raw or undercooked eggs. Pregnant women are at greatest risk.
These concerns are minimized when eggs are fully cooked and consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet. But they may provide motivation for some people to reduce or eliminate eggs from their diet.
Egg Allergy Precautions
For those with an egg allergy, it is important to diligently read ingredients labels when dining out to avoid eggs. Be aware that eggs can sometimes be “hidden” in restaurant items like breaded coatings, sauces, soups, baked goods and drinks.
Notify staff of any food allergy when ordering. Request allergen menus from chains like Panera that have them. Avoid cross-contamination by using dedicated fryers, grills and preparation areas. Carry emergency epinephrine if you have a severe egg allergy. Stay vigilant each time you dine out.
Conclusion
In summary, yes Panera’s popular cinnamon rolls unfortunately do contain eggs as an ingredient in both the dough and icing. Those with an egg allergy, sensitivity or vegan diet should not consume them.
Luckily there are eggless cinnamon roll recipes to recreate a similar treat at home. When dining at Panera, stick to egg-free breads and thoroughly check ingredients of all menu items. Being informed about egg content allows patrons to safely enjoy Panera’s offerings.