NYC Dessert Debate: Momofuku Milk Bar’s Cinnamon Bun Pie vs Cinnabon

December 8, 2009

Momofuku Milk Bar’s Cinnamon Bun Pie is a high class, low cost slice of NYC’s dessert elite. Cinnabon is a low class symbol of NYC’s contribution to obesity. In the end they both serve the same purpose, satisfying a sinful desire for cinnamon and decadent frosting. But as discriminating foodies, we must ask, which is better? Read on for the final verdict…

Frosting: Momofuku

This is an easy one:

Momofuku: Decadent cheesecake brown butter frosting, by far the dessert’s best asset
Cinnabon: Sugary, viscous vanilla frosting

Game, set, match Momofuku.

Dough: Cinnabon

Cinnabon’s dough delivers the appropriately yeasty balance to the cloying sweetness of the frosting and cinnamon. And although Momofuku is claiming not to be a bun but a pie, the base is still too firm and bready to surpass the satisfying chewiness Cinnabon’s dough provides. As my friend Adeena aptly suggested, Momofuku’s cinnamon bun pie might have been better suited as a cinnamon bun bread pudding. Oh the possibilities.

Cinnamon: Tie

Both desserts offer very different cinnamon experiences. Momofuku’s buttery, oat-based streusel is just sweet enough, lending it more of a textural role amidst the sea of overpowering frosting. Unfortunately, the remaining cinnamon is scantly sprinkled atop the bready cornicione (lip of the pie) forcing us to include the tough dough if we want more flavor. Cinnabon’s cloying sweetness is partially a credit to the syrupy cinnamon literally oozing from every layer of dough and pooling around the decadent center ring. It’s an everyman’s cinnamon best suited for mall food courts.

Final Verdict: Tie

In the battle of the chain food underdog and it’s gourmet counterpart, all seekers of sinful sweetness win. But for the foodies, neither dessert offers a totally balanced package of deliciousness. Momofuku shines mainly for it’s cheesecake brown butter frosting and while buttery and a true guilty pleasure, Cinnabon’s artificially flavored cinnamon prevents it from ascending to victory.