History

The Silver Grill Cafe has fried breakfast on Walnut Street since 1933, and somewhere along the way its outsized cinnamon roll became the city's edible mascot. The counter still bakes them daily, runs a rotating Roll of the Month (August 2026 was Peaches and Cream), and taught locals the essential move: ask for the roll grilled, so the butter crisps the spiral before the icing goes on. Coffee roasters and bakeries across town now bake their own versions, but the Walnut Street original remains the benchmark.

Common allergens: Gluten, Dairy, Egg

Make it at home

Yield Makes 8 large rollsHands-on 40 minTotal 3 hrDifficulty Intermediate

Ingredients

  • 550g strong white flour
  • 7g instant yeast
  • 80g caster sugar
  • 240ml whole milk, warmed
  • 2 eggs
  • 85g soft butter, plus 50g melted for the filling
  • 1 tsp fine salt
  • 120g soft light brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp ground cinnamon
  • 150g icing sugar and 60g cream cheese for the glaze

Method

  1. Mix flour, yeast, caster sugar and salt, then work in the warm milk, eggs and soft butter to a smooth dough; knead 10 minutes until elastic.
  2. Prove covered for about 1 hour until doubled.
  3. Roll to a 40 by 30 cm rectangle, brush with melted butter and scatter the brown sugar and cinnamon to the edges.
  4. Roll up from the long side, cut into 8 thick rounds and set them cut side up in a buttered tin; prove 45 minutes.
  5. Bake at 180C for 22 to 25 minutes until deep golden.
  6. Beat icing sugar with cream cheese and a splash of milk, then ice the rolls while just warm.
  7. For the Silver Grill move, halve a day-old roll and griddle it in butter until the cut face caramelises.

Tip from the editors. Underbake slightly rather than over: the griddle finish recooks the surface, and a dry roll cannot be rescued by icing.

Where to eat giant cinnamon roll

Giant cinnamon roll in Fort Collins

Silver Grill Cafe ★ 4.6

Diner1933 diner breakfast$$$8-16old-townDaily 07:00-14:00Walk-in only

Silver Grill Cafe has fried breakfast on Walnut Street in Fort Collins since 1933, and its giant cinnamon roll is the single most famous dish in the city.

Order: The giant cinnamon roll, grilled, with crispy bacon

Tip: Order the giant cinnamon roll grilled with butter; the Roll of the Month (August is Peaches and Cream) rewards repeat visits.

218 Walnut Street, Fort Collins, CO 80524

Bindle Coffee ★ 4.4

Coffee roaster$bucking-horseMon-Fri 07:00-15:00; Sat 08:00-15:00; closed SunPublic cafe

Bindle Coffee roasts small batches for its barn cafe at Jessup Farm Artisan Village in Fort Collins, with house-baked cinnamon rolls and croissants.

Tip: Closed Sundays. The roastery on East Harmony Road sells to-go cups Monday to Saturday if you just want beans.

Sources from: Rotating single origins

How they serve: Espresso, Pour over, Whole bean retail

1933 Jessup Drive, Fort Collins, CO 80525

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