Flying out of IAD tomorrow morning. I want to stop on my way to the gate, and get a Cinnabon to eat while I'm waiting for my flight. Here's the problem. The Cinnabon store at IAD is outside the secure area.

Would I be allowed to bring my small container of sugary-goopy goodness through security, or would they make me toss it? What if it was in my carryon bag? What if it was within a 1 qt zip-top bag?

(and probably the real question, why couldn't they just put the Cinnabon inside the secure area?)

If that sugary pile of goodness was in its container in your pants pocket how would they ever know?

That's a tough one to answer. If you want to get it through, I'd suggest stashing it. It's really hard to say if you could get it through by openly declaring it. Logically speaking, I'd say it SHOULDN'T be a problem. Then again, you never know what type of insanity you'll run into at the checkpoint. The psuedo-cops might see it and want to confiscate it for their own personal use. If you really want to be safe, my advice would be to show up a few minutes early and enjoy the Cinnabon before entering the "sterile" area.

I've felt your frustration with some food establishments being located in the pre-screening area. It sucks having to buy food/drink and finish it before entering the pure and sacred sanctuary of the secure area.

Fixed it for you.

I doubt they'd mess with it.

I see them go through all the time.

Yes, "secure" is right. About as secure as a crack pipe in a room full of crack heads.

"In the interest of aviation security please do not attempt to bring donuts through the security checkpoint."

Thanks for the tips. Ended up being irrelevant. Due to over-estimating the effect of traffic on my drive, I ended up at IAD about an hour before the Cinnabon stand opened, and although I've got a huge sweet tooth, an hour is too long to wait just for a cinnamon roll.

There should be no issue with a cinnamon roll. If there is an issue, it would be more with the TSO than the cinnamon roll.