This is Cinnamon Squared, a bakery and café specialising in cinnamon scrolls in Auckland.
Cinnamon rolls in a variety of flavours — classic, cream cheese cinnamon, apple cinnamon, salted caramel, ganache cinnamon, seasonal fruit yoghurt, and pistachio, alongside rotating specials — formed the core offering. The remainder of the menu was similarly anchored around organic Ceylon cinnamon, extending into both hot and cold beverages.
Classic Cinnamon Roll ($8.00)
The roll presented with a soft, tender structure and a generous cinnamon filling that remained gooey without becoming overly sticky or cloying. The surface lacked the crispness that might have introduced greater textural contrast, though the interior compensated with a plush consistency and a measured cinnamon presence. Sweetness and spice sat in balance, allowing the aromatic qualities of the cinnamon to remain distinct without becoming sharp or overwhelming.
Apple Cinnamon Roll ($8.00)
The classic cinnamon roll formed the base here, layered with generously portioned cooked apple that retained some bite and acidity. The tang of the fruit offset the richness of the cream cheese effectively, while the cream cheese itself remained restrained enough not to dominate the cinnamon profile. The result leaned more balanced than indulgent, with the apple contributing freshness and structure to the softer dough.
Apple Wood Tea ($8.00, hot)
This featured a warming blend of sweet apple and organic Ceylon cinnamon, infused with a fragrant cinnamon quill. Slices of apple floating on the surface somewhat interfered with sipping, though this was easily resolved by eating them separately with a spoon. Rosemary introduced a gentle pine-like warmth that deepened the profile without distracting from the cinnamon, while ginger contributed a mild underlying spice that rounded out the blend.
Wood Latte ($8.00, hot)
Organic Ceylon cinnamon combined with espresso and brown sugar in a restrained, cohesive way. The coffee retained enough bitterness and roast character to prevent the cinnamon from pushing the drink into dessert territory, while the brown sugar softened the edges without excessive sweetness. Smooth in texture and comparatively refined in flavour structure.
Overall, the menu was defined by warm spice layering and restrained sweetness, strongest where the softer bakery textures were balanced by acidity or bitterness from accompanying elements. The use of Ceylon cinnamon contributed a more delicate, fragrant and floral profile than the harsher woody bitterness often associated with cassia cinnamon varieties, allowing the spice to remain expressive without becoming heavy.
In summary, a cinnamon-focused café where restrained sweetness and the lighter aromatic profile of Ceylon cinnamon created a more refined interpretation of the classic cinnamon roll format.
Cinnamon Squared is located at 41 Victoria Street West, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand.