This cinnamon sugar recipe shows you how to make the best cinnamon sugar ever. Whether you’re sprinkling it over your morning toast, topping off oatmeal, or just making baked goods, this favorite is simple to make!
Why You Will Love This Recipe
Cinnamon sugar is popular year round, but it's especially popular during the fall and winter months. That's because the warm, spicy flavor of cinnamon is perfect for chilly days, as well as autumn harvested apple and pumpkin desserts.
So if you love bold flavors and need more sweetness in your life, read on to learn how to make cinnamon sugar at home!
- Easy to make. Just combine the sugar and cinnamon in a bowl and stir until well combined.
- Economical. It's a great way to save money on store-bought toppings, as homemade is much less expensive.
- Versatile topping that can be used on a variety of foods. You can sprinkle it on pancakes, waffles, french toast, toast, bagels, donuts, muffins, cookies, and more. It's also a great topping for hot chocolate and coffee.
Jump to:
- Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Ceylon vs. Saigon Cinnamon
- Cinnamon Sugar Recipe Ingredients
- How to Make Cinnamon Sugar
- How To Use Homemade Cinnamon Sugar
- Related Recipes
- Substitutions and Variations
- Equipment
- Storage
- Tips for Success
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Some Other Recipes We Are Sure You Will Love
- đź“– Recipe
- Food Safety
Ceylon vs. Saigon Cinnamon
I recommend using Ceylon cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum). It's preferred by bakers.
What is often sold as 'cinnamon' is actually Cassia, a cousin of true cinnamon, and much less expensive. It's known as Saigon cinnamon (Cinnamomun cassia), and is better suited for savory cooking.
Perfect For Baking
The difference between Ceylon (Cinnamomum verum) and Saigon (Cinnamomun cassia) is the sweetness levels. Ceylon cinnamon is sweeter, and stays sweet. Saigon cinnamon is not as sweet, and can develop a slight bitterness if left in food, or when too much is used.
Suited For Savory Dishes
When making soups, stews, and curries, Saigon cinnamon is perfect. But, when baking or making cinnamon sugar for toast, you'll love the extra mild sweetness that true Ceylon cinnamon adds to your hot buttered toast, or baked goods.
Ceylon & Saigon Cinnamon Look Different Also
Here you can see the actual difference between the two before they are ground. You won't see as dramatic a difference when ground though, so be sure to read the spice label.
Ceylon cinnamon sticks are 'flaky' textured bark quills. They break up easily.
Saigon cinnamon sticks (Cassia) are solid, non flaky bark quills. They don't grind up easily.
Cinnamon Sugar Recipe Ingredients
The perfect cinnamon to sugar ratio is 1:3, or 1 part cinnamon to three parts sugar. This ratio gives the cinnamon sugar mix a strong cinnamon flavor without being too overpowering. You can adjust the ratio to your own taste, but I think this is the perfect balance.
- Sugar - You can use white sugar or brown sugar. White sugar lets you dispense cinnamon sugar from a shaker, with brown sugar you'll need a spoon.
- Cinnamon - Ground, preferably the sweeter, Ceylon cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum).
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How to Make Cinnamon Sugar
In this tutorial, we break down all the steps in making this classic and simple topping, and baking ingredient.
From selecting the right ingredients and optimal ratios, to tips for storage and best uses - everything you need to know will be covered here!
So put on your apron and get ready because with these directions by your side creating flavor-packed cinnamon sugar has never been easier!
Measure Ingredients
- Measure the cinnamon and sugar into a bowl. If making a larger batch, consider wearing a face mask, as the fine ground cinnamon can get you sneezing.
Blend Ingredients Well
- Both cinnamon and sugar can develop tiny lumps. If you have a baking flour sifter, run the ingredients through the sifter to get any lumps out.
- Taste your cinnamon sugar mix. If you think you'd prefer to adjust the cinnamon to sugar ratio, now it the time to do so.
- Transfer to a spice jar, mason jar, or a rubber sealed bail jar. Keep in a cool, dry pantry storage location.
PRO TIP: You can also use brown sugar for a moister, softer mixture. Be sure to store it in a jar that keeps it sealed, so it stays crumbly textured. Brown sugar and cinnamon is amazing in oatmeal!
How To Use Homemade Cinnamon Sugar
Whether it's for topping your favorite desserts or sprinkling on toast or oatmeal, you'll find endless uses for this easy-to-make cinnamon sugar recipe.
Here are a few ideas for how to use this delicious cinnamon sprinkle:
- Sprinkle on pancakes, waffles, or french toast.
- Roll fruit in cinnamon sugar for a delicious and healthy snack. Sprinkle some on our Honey Roasted Peaches.
- Use it as a topping for donuts, muffins, churros, or cookies.
- Use it for baked goods like our TikTok Cinnamon Rolls, or Rhodes Monkey Bread recipes.
- Add it to hot chocolate or coffee for a warm and flavorful treat.
Some terrific recipes that can use this cinnamon sugar:
- Auntie Anne's Cinnamon Pretzel Bites
- Crumbl Churro Cookies
- Crumbl Pumpkin Cookies
- Unsweetened Applesauce
- Pumpkin Spice Chai Latte
- Air Fryer Frozen Sweet Potato Fries
- Mini Powdered Sugar Donuts
Related Recipes
Substitutions and Variations
Here are a few delicious variations when making cinnamon sugar:
- Brown sugar and cinnamon - just use some brown sugar or all brown sugar when mixing up your blend.
- If you don't have cinnamon on hand, you can substitute Apple Pie Spice or even Pumpkin Pie Spice blends. It's not quite the same, as there's nutmeg, clove, ginger, and allspice in these blends.
Equipment
Equipment can have a big impact on how a recipe turns out. Below are some of my favorite pieces of equipment that I use when making this family favorite.
Storage
- Store mixture in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 18 months.
Tips for Success
- Use a fine grain of sugar for the best texture - granulated or superfine is perfect. Confectioners is too fine, it will clump.
- You can substitute brown sugar for granulated sugar for a richer flavor.
- You can add other spices to the cinnamon sugar recipe, such as nutmeg, cloves, or cardamom.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can use it to make a variety of desserts, such as cinnamon sugar cookies, bars, and muffins. It can also be used to rim a glass for a cinnamon sugar margarita. You can also dip fruit in it for a sweet and refreshing treat.
Yes, you can even use granulated sugar substitutes like Swerve. Date sugar, coconut sugar, and brown sugar also work great!
The perfect cinnamon to sugar ratio is one part cinnamon to three parts sugar.
Some Other Recipes We Are Sure You Will Love
đź“– Recipe
How To Make Cinnamon Sugar
Ingredients
- ½ cup cinnamon ground Ceylon cinnamon
- 1½ cup sugar white, or brown for a moister blend
Instructions
- Measure the cinnamon and sugar into a bowl. If making a large batch, consider wearing a face mask, as the fine ground cinnamon can get you sneezing.PRO TIP: You can also use brown sugar for a moister, softer mixture. Be sure to store it in a jar that keeps it sealed, so it stays crumbly textured. Brown sugar and cinnamon is amazing in oatmeal!½ cup cinnamon, 1½ cup sugar
- Both cinnamon and sugar can develop tiny lumps. If you have a baking flour sifter, run the ingredients through the sifter to get any lumps out.
- Taste test your cinnamon sugar mix. If you think you'd prefer to adjust the cinnamon to sugar ratio, now it the time to do so.
- Transfer to a spice jar, mason jar, or a rubber sealed bail jar. Keep in a cool, dry pantry storage location. This cinnamon sugar will keep up to 18 months.
Notes
- Use a fine grain of sugar for the best texture - granulated or superfine is perfect. Confectioners is too fine, it will clump.
- You can substitute brown sugar for granulated sugar for a richer flavor.
- You can add other spices to the cinnamon sugar recipe, such as nutmeg, cloves, or cardamom.
Nutrition
Food Safety
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat.
- Wash hands after touching raw meat.
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods.
- Never leave cooking food unattended.
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds.
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove.
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