Transform your breakfast experience with this incredibly easy and utterly delicious homemade Cinnamon Syrup. Forget store-bought alternatives; this recipe offers a rich, aromatic flavor that elevates pancakes, waffles, and even your morning coffee to a new level. Crafting your own flavored syrups at home is not only simple but also allows for complete control over the ingredients, ensuring a pure and delightful taste. Say goodbye to plain maple syrup and hello to a warm, inviting cinnamon embrace.
Homemade Cinnamon Syrup: A Simple Indulgence
The thought of making your own syrup might seem daunting, but this Cinnamon Syrup recipe proves just how accessible and rewarding it can be. We were absolutely amazed by its simplicity and exceptional taste when we first tried it. A huge thank you goes out to Ellena from Latah Creek Winery for sharing this fantastic recipe that has since become a staple in our kitchen.
In just a few minutes at the stovetop, you can create a luxurious cinnamon-flavored syrup that’s perfect for elevating any breakfast or brunch spread. It’s an ideal way to add a touch of warmth and spice, especially during colder months or when you simply crave something extraordinary.
Why You’ll Love Making Your Own Cinnamon Syrup
Beyond the sheer deliciousness, there are several compelling reasons to embrace homemade cinnamon syrup:
- Unmatched Flavor: Freshly made syrup offers a vibrancy and depth of flavor that commercial versions often lack. The distinct warmth of cinnamon shines through beautifully.
- Simple Ingredients: You likely already have most of the ingredients in your pantry, making this a cost-effective alternative to specialty store-bought syrups.
- Quick & Easy: With only about 10 minutes of active time, this recipe is perfect for busy mornings or spontaneous cravings.
- Versatility: While incredible on pancakes and waffles, its uses extend far beyond the breakfast table.
- No Artificial Additives: You control what goes into your syrup, avoiding high-fructose corn syrup, artificial colors, and preservatives often found in commercial products.
Ingredients for Your Delicious Cinnamon Syrup
Crafting this flavorful syrup requires only a handful of common ingredients, each playing a crucial role in achieving the perfect balance of sweetness, spice, and creamy texture.
- Light Corn Syrup: Light corn syrup is essential for preventing crystallization, ensuring your syrup remains smooth and pourable. It also adds body and a subtle sweetness without overpowering the cinnamon.
- Granulated Sugar: White granulated sugar provides the primary sweetness and forms the base of our syrup.
- Water: Water dissolves the sugar and corn syrup, creating the liquid foundation of the syrup.
- Ground Cinnamon: The star of the show! High-quality ground cinnamon infuses the syrup with its signature warm, sweet, and spicy notes. Adjust the amount to your personal preference for a stronger or milder flavor.
- Evaporated Milk: Evaporated milk is what truly sets this syrup apart, contributing a wonderful creaminess and richness that makes it incredibly decadent. It’s more stable than regular milk in heated applications, making it ideal for this recipe.
Essential Equipment Needed
You won’t need any fancy gadgets to make this syrup. Just a few basic kitchen tools will do the trick:
- Medium Saucepan: A heavy-bottomed saucepan is recommended to prevent scorching.
- Whisk or Spoon: For stirring ingredients together.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons: For accurate ingredient measurements.
- Heat-Proof Jar or Bottle: For storing your finished syrup. A dedicated syrup dispenser can make serving even easier and more elegant.
Step-by-Step Instructions: Crafting Your Cinnamon Syrup
Follow these simple steps to create your own delightful homemade cinnamon syrup:
- Combine and Boil: In a medium saucepan, combine the light corn syrup, granulated sugar, water, and ground cinnamon. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally to ensure the sugar dissolves completely. Once boiling, continue to cook for exactly 2 minutes. This brief boiling period helps to activate the flavors and ensure a proper syrup consistency.
- Cool Down: Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow the syrup mixture to cool for 5 minutes. This cooling step is crucial before adding the evaporated milk, preventing any unwanted curdling and ensuring a smooth, uniform texture.
- Stir in Evaporated Milk: After the cooling period, pour in the evaporated milk. Stir well until the milk is fully incorporated into the syrup. The mixture will take on a beautiful creamy, light brown hue.
- Serve and Enjoy: Your homemade cinnamon syrup is now ready to be enjoyed! Pour it warm over your favorite breakfast foods or use it to sweeten beverages.
Expert Tips for the Perfect Cinnamon Syrup
Achieving the ideal homemade syrup is simple, but a few pointers can elevate your results:
- Don’t Over-Stir While Boiling: Once the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is boiling, avoid excessive stirring. Over-stirring can introduce air and lead to sugar crystallization.
- Quality Cinnamon Matters: Use fresh, high-quality ground cinnamon for the best flavor. Older cinnamon can lose its potency.
- Adjust Sweetness and Spice: Feel free to adjust the amount of sugar or cinnamon to suit your taste preferences. If you prefer a bolder cinnamon flavor, you can slightly increase the amount or even infuse a cinnamon stick during the boiling phase and remove it before adding the milk.
- Testing Consistency: The syrup will thicken as it cools. If you find it too thick after cooling, you can gently warm it and stir in a tablespoon or two of water until it reaches your desired consistency. If it’s too thin, you can return it to the stovetop and simmer for an additional minute or two.
Creative Ways to Enjoy Your Cinnamon Syrup
While this syrup is an absolute dream poured over pancakes and waffles, its versatility extends far beyond typical breakfast fare. Get creative with these serving suggestions:
- Breakfast & Brunch Staples:
- Pancakes & Waffles: The classic pairing. Try it with our Copycat Cracker Barrel Pancakes or Cinnamon Roll Waffles.
- French Toast: A glorious complement to fluffy French toast.
- Oatmeal & Porridge: Stir a spoonful into your hot cereal for a comforting twist.
- Biscuits & Scones: Drizzle over warm biscuits or scones for a sweet treat.
- Beverages:
- Coffee & Lattes: Add a splash to your morning coffee, just like a flavored creamer. It’s fantastic in a homemade Caramel Latte.
- Hot Chocolate: Stir into hot chocolate for a spicy, cozy drink.
- Milkshakes: Blend into vanilla or coffee milkshakes for a cinnamon kick.
- Cocktails: Experiment with it in cocktails like an Old Fashioned or a Hot Toddy for a spiced twist.
- Desserts & Baking:
- Ice Cream Topping: Drizzle warm syrup over vanilla or coffee ice cream.
- Fruit Salad: Toss with fresh fruit for an added layer of flavor.
- Cake Glaze: Whisk with powdered sugar for a quick and easy cake or donut glaze.
- Yogurt & Granola: Swirl into plain yogurt or over a parfait.
- Baked Goods: Brush onto warm Cinnamon Rolls or Homemade Doughnuts.
- Apple Pie a la Mode: A perfect drizzle over a slice of warm apple pie with ice cream.
Storage Guidelines for Your Homemade Syrup
Once cooled, transfer your cinnamon syrup to an airtight container or a clean syrup dispenser. Store it in the refrigerator. Properly stored, homemade cinnamon syrup typically lasts for 2-3 weeks. Always check for any signs of spoilage, such as off-smells or mold, before consuming.
Fun Flavor Variations to Try
Once you’ve mastered the basic recipe, don’t hesitate to experiment with different flavor combinations:
- Vanilla Cinnamon Syrup: Add ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract along with the evaporated milk for an extra layer of warmth.
- Spiced Cinnamon Syrup: Include a tiny pinch of ground nutmeg, cloves, or allspice during the boiling phase for a more complex spice profile.
- Orange Cinnamon Syrup: Add a teaspoon of orange zest or a few drops of orange extract to the boiling mixture for a bright citrusy note.
- Maple Cinnamon Syrup: Substitute a portion of the granulated sugar with brown sugar for a richer, more caramel-like undertone.
- Vegan Cinnamon Syrup: For a dairy-free option, substitute evaporated milk with full-fat canned coconut milk or your favorite dairy-free creamer. The flavor profile will change slightly but will still be delicious.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cinnamon Syrup
Here are answers to some common questions about making and using this delightful syrup:
Q: Can I use whole cinnamon sticks instead of ground cinnamon?
A: Yes! For a more subtle and infused flavor, you can add 1-2 whole cinnamon sticks to the syrup mixture at the beginning of the boiling process. Remove them after the cooling period, before stirring in the evaporated milk. This will give a cleaner syrup without any grainy texture from ground cinnamon.
Q: Is this syrup too sweet? Can I reduce the sugar?
A: This recipe aims for a classic syrup sweetness. You can try reducing the sugar slightly, but keep in mind that sugar is also a preservative and contributes to the syrup’s texture. Significant reductions might affect shelf life and consistency. Taste and adjust in small increments.
Q: Can I omit the evaporated milk?
A: You can, but it will result in a much thinner, clearer, and less creamy syrup, more akin to a simple cinnamon-flavored sugar syrup. The evaporated milk is key to the unique richness and body of this particular recipe.
Q: What if my syrup crystallizes?
A: Crystallization can happen if the sugar isn’t fully dissolved or if the syrup is agitated too much while boiling. If it does crystallize, you can gently reheat it with a tablespoon or two of water, stirring until the crystals dissolve again. Ensure you don’t over-boil the solution initially to minimize this risk.
Q: Can I double or halve the recipe?
A: Absolutely! This recipe scales very well. Just ensure you use a larger or smaller saucepan accordingly and adjust the boiling time slightly if needed, keeping an eye on the consistency.
More Delicious Breakfast Recipes to Explore
If you love starting your day with something special, be sure to check out these other fantastic breakfast recipes:
- Crock Pot Caramel Latte Recipe
- Copycat Cracker Barrel Pancakes
- Raspberry Coffee Cake Recipe
- Easy Homemade Doughnuts
- Crock Pot Ham and Cheese Grits Recipe
- Semi-Homemade Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
- Pulled Pork Breakfast Hash Recipe
- Cinnamon Roll Waffles
You are truly going to adore the exquisite taste of this Cinnamon Syrup. Whether poured generously over a stack of fluffy pancakes, crisp waffles, or golden French toast, it effortlessly transforms an ordinary breakfast into an extraordinary culinary delight. It’s so wonderfully easy to make and the taste is simply amazing. While we haven’t personally tried it, we’ve heard fantastic things about adding this syrup to coffee. If you decide to give it a try in your next cup, please let us know how it tastes – we’d love to hear your feedback!
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Cinnamon Syrup Recipe
How to make delicious Cinnamon Syrup perfect for pancakes and waffles
No ratings yet
5 minutes
5 minutes
10 minutes
6
321 kcal
Tammilee Tips
Ingredients
- 1 cup Light Corn Syrup
- 1 cup White Sugar
- ¼ cup Water
- ½ Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
- ½ cup Evaporated Milk
Instructions
- Boil Karo Syrup, Sugar, Water and Cinnamon for 2 minutes.
- Allow to cool for 5 minutes.
- Stir in evaporated milk.
- Serve and enjoy.
Kitchen Tools
- Syrup Dispenser
Nutrition
Calories from Fat 18
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Recipe originally shared on September 11, 2012. Updated and expanded in September 2020, and further enhanced in 2024 for improved clarity, SEO, and content depth.