Our easy two-ingredient Cinnamon Syrup brings warm, comforting flavor to breakfast and beyond. Pure maple syrup is gently infused with real cinnamon sticks to create a sweet, spicy condiment that’s simple to make and incredibly versatile.
Flavored maple syrup is a delightful upgrade to the ordinary, and cinnamon pairs naturally with maple. Store-bought cinnamon maple syrup can be hard to find or overly sweetened, so making your own at home gives you full control over flavor and quality.
We’ve made this two-ingredient recipe for years. The result is a syrup with the ideal balance of sweet and warm spice that enhances pancakes, waffles, oatmeal, and many other dishes. Try it on blueberry pancakes or banana waffles for an elevated breakfast experience.
Why This Syrup is So Good
This cinnamon-infused maple syrup tastes like cozy fall mornings in a bottle. It’s more than just a pancake topping — it adds depth and warmth to both sweet and savory dishes. Drizzle it over baked oatmeal, stir it into coffee, spoon it onto ice cream, or use it to brighten salad dressings and roasted vegetables.
Because it’s made with pure maple syrup and natural cinnamon, it keeps a clean, authentic flavor. Gift it in a pretty jar with a ribbon for holidays or special occasions — most people will assume it’s a secret family recipe.
Ingredients Needed
This recipe uses just two simple ingredients:
- Pure maple syrup – Use 100% pure maple syrup, not pancake syrup or corn syrup-based products. Choose a lighter or darker grade depending on how robust you want the caramel notes to be.
- Cinnamon sticks – Whole cinnamon sticks from the spice aisle deliver a cleaner, more nuanced cinnamon flavor than ground cinnamon. Store them in a sealed container in a cool pantry to maintain freshness.
How to Infuse Maple Syrup
Infusing cinnamon into maple syrup is quick and easy. Follow these steps for consistent results:
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, bring the maple syrup to a gentle simmer.
- Add the cinnamon sticks, reduce the heat to low-medium, and simmer for 5–10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Remove the pan from the heat and let the syrup steep with the cinnamon sticks for at least 10 minutes to deepen the flavor.
- Remove or strain out the cinnamon sticks before serving.
- Allow the syrup to cool, then pour into a clean glass container and refrigerate.
Storage Recommendations
In jars – Store your cinnamon maple syrup in glass jars with tight-fitting lids. Glass preserves flavor and avoids any risk of chemicals leaching into the syrup.
To reheat – For best flavor and pourability, bring refrigerated syrup to room temperature or warm it briefly in the microwave or on the stove before serving.
Variations
Customize your syrup by adding other flavors during or after infusion:
- Vanilla – Stir in a teaspoon of vanilla extract or a little vanilla bean paste after simmering.
- Orange – Add strips of orange peel or fresh zest for a bright citrus note.
- Allspice – Toss in a few whole allspice berries with the cinnamon sticks for a deeper spice profile.
- Lavender – Simmer 1–2 tablespoons of dried culinary lavender for a floral twist.
- Coffee – Stir in 1–2 tablespoons of instant coffee for a mocha-like accent.
- Bacon – Add small pieces of cooked bacon while simmering for a smoky-sweet syrup ideal for brunch dishes.
- Butter – Whisk in 1–2 tablespoons of butter while the syrup is hot for a richer mouthfeel.
- Spicy – Add 1/4–1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes to 1 cup syrup for a sweet-heat combination that pairs well with chicken and waffles.
FAQs
Yes. Pure maple syrup should be refrigerated after opening to prevent mold and to maintain flavor and consistency.
Unopened pure maple syrup keeps in the pantry up to the best-by date. Once opened and refrigerated, it will typically keep for six months to a year.
Using Maple Syrup in Baking
Maple syrup is a useful liquid sweetener in baking. It can often replace granulated sugar cup-for-cup (1 cup sugar = 1 cup syrup), but you may need to reduce other liquids slightly or add a bit more flour to keep batter consistency balanced.
Ways to Use Cinnamon Syrup
This recipe produces a cinnamon-infused maple syrup meant for breakfasts and baking rather than a simple syrup for cocktails. Use it to enhance recipes like cinnamon roll cookies, maple cookies, apple cinnamon roll casseroles, cinnamon sugar waffles, and protein pancakes, or simply pour it over pancakes and waffles.
If you enjoy this recipe, please leave a rating and a comment to share how you used it.
Recipe
Cinnamon Syrup
Ingredients
- 1 cup pure maple syrup
- 2 whole cinnamon sticks
Instructions
- Bring maple syrup to a simmer over medium heat. Add cinnamon sticks and reduce heat slightly.
- Simmer 5–10 minutes over low-medium heat.
- Remove from heat and let steep for at least 10 minutes.
- Remove cinnamon sticks before serving.
- Pour syrup into a glass container or bottle with a lid. Refrigerate.
Notes
- Remove syrup from the fridge about 30 minutes before serving to allow it to loosen.
- Warm gently in the microwave or on the stove if you prefer it hot.
Nutrition Information:
Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 106
Total Fat: 0g
Sodium: 5mg
Carbohydrates: 27g
Sugar: 24g
Nutrition facts are estimates and are not guaranteed to be exact. For specific dietary guidance, consult a registered dietitian.