Bake-at-home Cinnabon flavor

Cinnabon fanatics might want to stick to the originals, but reader food panel tasters gave the new bake-at-home turnovers and mini cinnamon rolls passing grades.

“Now you can bring home all of the mouth-watering aroma and flavor of Cinnabon World Famous Cinnamon Rolls,” says the labels of the Cinnabon Cinnamon and Cream Cheese Turnovers and CinnaPoppers.

Tasters liked the turnovers a bit better than the CinnaPoppers, giving them three and a half stars overall for flavor.

“I liked the flaky/doughy contrast. I’d buy both of these Cinnabon products for a quick dessert,” said Vicki Deschaine.

Marcia Oranen agreed, saying the turnovers were “Delicious, flaky and full of cinnamon filling.”

Even Donald Clegg, who is not a big fan of most sweets, liked the turnovers. “Crunchy, gooey, sugary and greasy … but I like it,” he said.

Others said they were disappointed, despite the delicious aroma wafting from the oven.

“Looks and smells wonderful … but alas, the proof lies in the eating. Mediocre at best. Not bad. Not good. Ho hum,” Larry Inman said.

The CinnaPoppers did not rank as high with tasters, although the cute little mini rolls caught their eye. The little buns come with cream cheese frosting for dipping and scored two and a half stars.

“Darling size, but they look better than they taste. These cannot be Cinnabons,” Oranen said.

Deschaine liked the little cinnamon bites. “A little doughy, but nicely sweet enough and I like the bite size,” she said.

Andy Hoye said he would pass. “New small size is quaint, but these also have too much grease.”

Cinnabon Cinnamon and Cream Cheese Turnovers

Price: $5.59 per 14-ounce package

Nutrition per serving: 410 calories, 23 grams fat (6 grams saturated, 50 percent fat calories), 3 grams protein, 45 grams carbohydrate, 5 milligrams cholesterol, 2 grams dietary fiber, 460 milligrams sodium.

Taste: • • • 1/2

Value: • • •

Comments: “Why so greasy? But the extra-dark cinnamon filling tastes OK.” – Andy Hoye

“Artificially filled. Three ingredients oozed out the side as I ate. The (turnover) ended up soggy.” – Marilyn Moore

“Crunchy, gooey, sugary and greasy … but I like it.” – Donald Clegg

Cinnabon CinnaPoppers

Price: $5.59 per 12-ounce package

Nutrition per serving, without frosting: 220 calories, 12 grams fat (4.5 grams saturated, 50 percent fat calories), 2 grams protein, 27 grams carbohydrate, 20 milligrams cholesterol, 1 gram dietary fiber, 85 milligrams sodium.

Taste: • • 1/2

Value: • • 1/2

Comments: “The novelty of the size doesn’t make it a good idea.” – Donald Clegg

“Good thing it was a mini-size. I could not have handled something big. Even the frosting tasted fake.” – Marilyn Moore

“Warning: Do not attempt to eat this product without liquid near by. Very dry, has the peanut-butter-stick-to-the-roof- of-your-mouth effect.” – Larry Inman