Homemade Cinnamon Extract for Baking
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Love to bake? You need to whip up a quick batch of this delicious homemade cinnamon extract to take your cinnamon rolls, ice cream, apple pie, and other recipes to the next level!
If you enjoy making your own extracts, you’ll love our vanilla extract, lavender extract, and this coffee extract recipe!
It’s so much fun to tinker around in the kitchen! With a little bit of this and a little bit of that, you can create something new to play with!
This homemade extract is made with the most popular spice: cinnamon.
It requires almost no effort and will be done in about a week!
Make a big batch to share with your friends and family around the holidays (or hoard a bunch for yourself – that’s fine, too).
take it to the next level
Learn how to make Your Own extracts!
In my ebook DIY Extracts, I’ll teach you everything you need to know to make 15 homemade extracts to add tons of flavor to every bake. It’s so easy!
What is Cinnamon Extract?
Cinnamon extract is an infusion of Ceylon cinnamon sticks in alcohol. The alcohol pulls out the oils and other components from the cinnamon, allowing you to add that cinnamon flavor to any recipe.
Unlike ground cinnamon which can become bitter quickly, cinnamon extract is a great way to get the strongest cinnamon flavor without bitterness.
Equipment
- Glass mason jar
- Mortar and pestle (optional)
Ingredients for Cinnamon Extract Recipe
Whole Ceylon cinnamon sticks – You’ll need fresh cinnamon sticks for this recipe, not cinnamon powder. Keep reading to learn more about the types of cinnamon below.
Unflavored vodka – Choose a neutral, flavorless vodka with at least 40-50% alcohol. I prefer to use organic vodka, but any inexpensive vodka is okay.
How to Make Cinnamon Extract
- Add your whole cinnamon sticks to a jar.
- Cover the cinnamon sticks with alcohol.
- Shake and allow to sit out of direct sunlight for approximately a week.
- Once at the appropriate strength, strain out the cinnamon sticks and bottle the extract in amber glass.
Master the art of making extracts!
Learn how to make 15 different extracts from the comfort of your own home. This printable ebook includes all of the recipes, pro tips for making the best extracts and printable labels. It’s everything you need to get started!
Tips & Variations
Choose any neutral alcohol – Feel free to use a grain spirit or even ethyl alcohol. You can use other alcohols, like rum or whiskey, but they may slightly change the flavor of your recipes.
Crush the cinnamon sticks – To speed up this recipe, try crushing your cinnamon sticks in a mortar and pestle. The extra surface area will help the alcohol pull out more cinnamon flavor quickly.
Make it alcohol-free with glycerin – The most popular alternative to alcohol for extracts is food-grade glycerin. It is a 1:1 replacement for alcohol, so it’s a simple swap for the vodka in this recipe.
How to Use Cinamon Extract
Personally, I use this recipe to add a kick of cinnamon flavor to a variety of recipes. This small bottle packs a depth of flavor you just can’t get using dried cinnamon!
- Add it to your cinnamon raisin bread for extra flavor
- Give your cinnamon rolls a little kick
- Take your coffee cake to the next level
- Make the best cinnamon ice cream ever
- Whip up a horchata milkshake
- Bump up the flavor in your pumpkin pie pudding cups
FAQs
What is cinnamon extract used for?
It is often found in the baking aisle because it adds a rich, spicy flavor to baked goods and other desserts.
Some people consume it to access the health benefits of cinnamon, especially in reducing blood sugar.
What is the difference between cinnamon and cinnamon extract?
Cinnamon is made from the inner bark of trees and can usually be purchased either rolled in a stick or ground into a powder.
The extract is made by infusing cinnamon sticks in organic alcohol. The strong alcohol pulls the cinnamon oil and other compounds out of the sticks and stores them in the alcohol. With this liquid, you can add a strong cinnamon flavor even with a small amount of extract.
What is the difference between cinnamon extract and cinnamon oil?
The extract is made from infusing cinnamon in alcohol. It is similar to vanilla extract, which is alcohol packed full of the oils and flavor from vanilla beans.
On the other hand, cinnamon oil is made from extracting the natural oils in the cinnamon bark. It is extremely concentrated, even more so than cinnamon extract.
Related Recipes
Looking for more homemade extracts? Try these recipes:
- Lavender Extract
- Vanilla Extract Recipe
- Coffee Extract
- Blueberry Extract
- How to Make Lemon Extract
- Cardamom Extract
- How to Make Orange Extract
Homemade Cinnamon Extract
Equipment
- 1 mason jar
Ingredients
- 1 cup unflavored vodka
- 2-4 whole cinnamon sticks, Ceylon
Instructions
- Add your whole cinnamon sticks to a jar.
- Cover the cinnamon sticks with alcohol.
- Shake and allow to sit out of direct sunlight for approximately a week.
- Once at the appropriate strength, strain out the cinnamon sticks and bottle the extract in amber glass.
Notes
Nutrition
This is THE perfect activity as we near the 6-month-to-Christmas mark! I’m getting out of the heat and making some today. Thank you!
Such a good reminder! This is definitely the perfect time for extracts. I hope you enjoy!
How many sticks for a 750 mL bottle of vodka?
Cindy, You’d need just over 3x as many cinnamon sticks as the base recipe, so 6-12. Personally, I’d use about 8-10. Hope this helps!