How to make and use cinnamon extract

Sweet, spicy, and reminiscent of delicious meals and cozy days, cinnamon is one of the most popular spices in the world, especially in the US.

Popularly used to make cinnamon buns and apple pie, cinnamon is also a perfect complement to drinks like hot chocolate and coffee.

It is usually available in whole or ground form, but did you know that you can also find it in extract form? You only have to visit your nearest supermarket and you will see it together with vanilla, almond, lemon and mint extracts.

Although you can easily find cinnamon extract at your local grocery store, you can make an even better version at home and use it in a variety of recipes. So is! And it’s super easy.

So how can you make and use cinnamon extract? You can make cinnamon extract with just two ingredients: cinnamon sticks and alcohol. It takes just 6 weeks and you can use it in all your favorite baked goods and beverages.

Read on to find out how you can make a delicious cinnamon extract at home, along with its various uses and much more.

What is cinnamon extract?

Cinnamon has long been valued for its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antimicrobial, antifungal, and anticoagulant properties.

And let’s not forget the deliciously sweet, spicy, tangy flavor and aroma it imparts to any food it’s added to.

All types of cinnamon products, including cinnamon powder and cinnamon extract, are made from the cinnamon bark obtained from the Cinnamomum tree.

While ground cinnamon is made by grinding cinnamon bark into fine, powder-like particles, cinnamon extract, or liquid cinnamon, is made by soaking cinnamon bark in alcohol for a while.

Not to be confused with cinnamon oil, which is obtained directly from cinnamon bark, cinnamon extract has a long shelf life when stored properly and has a more concentrated flavor than ground cinnamon.

types of cinnamon

There are two types of cinnamon available on the market, and both can be used to make homemade cinnamon extract.

Cassia Cinnamon

Imported from China, India, Vietnam and Indonesia, cassia cinnamon is the one normally found in the US.

It is a piece of hard bark harvested from the cinnamon tree, which is then rolled or ground and is a deep reddish-brown color.

ceylon cinnamon

Imported from Sri Lanka and Madagascar, Ceylon cinnamon is found primarily in Europe and Mexico, although it has begun to make its way to the United States.

Picked from the delicate bark inside the Cinnamon tree, Ceylon Cinnamon has a sweet, floral aroma and is light brown in color.

How to make cinnamon extract

Making cinnamon extract at home is extremely easy and only requires two ingredients: cinnamon sticks and alcohol. But don’t worry if you don’t drink, as the alcohol burns off in the cooking process.

For best results, use fresh cinnamon sticks from a freshly opened package. If you use the old ones that have been in the pantry for a while, they may not give you the best cinnamon extract.

Also, avoid using ground cinnamon, as it can be very difficult to strain the powder after extraction, leading to unnecessary grit in the extract.

The second ingredient you will need is alcohol. It is used in almost all extracts, as the alcohol draws out the flavor of the main ingredient and also works as a preservative, making homemade extracts stable.

Use any higher proof grain alcohol with a higher ABV, as it results in a faster extraction rate and helps bring out the flavors of dry, dense spices like cinnamon.

Although you do not need anything top quality, we suggest that you do not go for the cheapest option either.

Clear, unflavored vodka is a good choice, as it will give you the stronger taste of cinnamon in the extract without overpowering it with other flavors.

Recipe to make cinnamon extract

Here are step-by-step instructions for making cinnamon extract at home:

• Gather your ingredients and a clean wide-mouth mason jar.
• Place 4 or more cinnamon sticks in the mason jar. If the twigs are too long, use a serrated knife to shorten them.
• Fill the jar with the alcohol of your choice, enough to cover the cinnamon sticks.
• Be sure to leave a ½-inch headspace and close the jar tightly.
• Place the jar in a cool, dry place and shake once a week for 4-6 weeks.
• After 4-6 weeks, open the jar and smell the extract.
• If it smells strong enough, remove the cinnamon sticks from the jar and transfer the extract to a pretty jar if you like.

Unlike vanilla beans, which you can leave in the extract indefinitely, cinnamon extract will start to taste bitter if the cinnamon sticks are left in there too long.

Since, for obvious reasons, you don’t want your cinnamon extract to turn bitter, remove the twigs once the extract has reached the necessary strength.

You’ll be able to tell if it’s done by its smell and color: very fragrant and a nice, rich brown.

Recipe to make vacuum-packed cinnamon extract

Making cinnamon extract is a very easy, albeit lengthy, process. You have to leave the mixture for about a month to get the desired results.

However, there are other ways to speed up the process, one of which is the sous vide method.

Sous vide refers to the process of cooking food to a precise temperature, and while it can work wonders with meat and vegetables, it can also be used to make all kinds of extracts, including cinnamon.

When making sous vide extracts, the flavors are extracted much faster than they would at room temperature, as in the traditional extraction method explained above, speeding the process from a few weeks to just a few hours.

Here are step-by-step instructions on how to make sous vide cinnamon extract:

• Start by preparing your sous vide water bath. Fill it with hot water up to a temperature of about 135°F.
• Next, add about 4 cinnamon sticks to a clean mason jar, cutting the sticks shorter with a serrated knife if they won’t fit.
• Fill the jar with rubbing alcohol, enough to submerge the cinnamon sticks, leaving a ½-inch headspace.
• Wipe the rim of the jar and close it with your fingers.
• Use a jar lifter to lower the jar into the water bath and cook the extract at 135°F for about 3 hours.
• When done cooking, carefully remove the jar from the water bath and place on a rack to cool.
• Shake vigorously and strain out all the cinnamon sticks from the extract.

Recipe to make cinnamon extract in the Instant Pot

Another way to make cinnamon extract at home is to do it in an electric Instant Pot, where it’s ready to use in just one day, although it’s best to let it sit for about 2 weeks for best results.

But before you proceed with the recipe, there are some safety tips to follow when using an Instant Pot to make cinnamon extract.

• Never use a pressure cooker to make cinnamon extract, and never work near an open flame.
• Never use a quick pressure release when making this recipe. Instead, do a full natural pressure release so the alcohol vapors aren’t released into the air.

If you are unsure if you should use alcohol in your appliance, we recommend that you contact the manufacturer or use one of the other methods for making cinnamon extract.

With that cleared up, here are step-by-step instructions on how to make cinnamon extract in the Instant Pot:

• Divide the cinnamon sticks and alcohol equally between 2-3 canisters, depending on how much extract you want and how many canisters your Instant Pot can hold. 5 cinnamon sticks per 1 cup of alcohol should do the trick.
• Close the jars so that they are tightly closed.
• Add water to the Instant Pot and place a trivet inside.
• Place the jars on top of the clover, close the lid and set to high pressure for 30 minutes.
• Do a natural release of pressure for 60 minutes.
• Remove the jars from the Instant Pot, allow them to cool completely, remove the cinnamon sticks, and transfer the extract to a jar or bottle of your choice.

How to use cinnamon extract

You can use cinnamon extract anywhere you would use ground cinnamon.

However, since cinnamon extract is more potent and flavorful than ground cinnamon, substitute ¼ teaspoon of cinnamon extract for every teaspoon of ground cinnamon.

You can use it in a wide variety of recipes, such as

• • Cakes
  • Brownies
  • Biscuits
  • Cakes
  • Bread
  • pumpkin cheesecake
  • Oatmeal
  • cinnamon buns

• Cranberry sauce
• french toast
• pancakes and waffles
• ice cream and yogurt
• Beverages such as coffee, hot chocolate, and lattes.

Related questions

Now that we’ve covered the different methods of making cinnamon extract at home and how to use it, here are some additional questions we thought you might have!

How long does cinnamon extract last?

Cinnamon extract shelf life depends on storage conditions, and properly stored cinnamon extract maintains optimum quality for 3-4 years.

The best way to preserve cinnamon extract is to keep it in a cool, dry and dark place, away from sunlight, preferably in the pantry. Be sure to keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.

When you use store-bought cinnamon extract, the packaging will come with an expiration date that estimates how long the product will stay at its best quality. However, it is still safe to consume.

How can you tell if the cinnamon extract has gone bad?

If stored correctly, cinnamon extract can last indefinitely. However, under certain circumstances, it can go bad.

Some telltale signs are that the extract loses flavor over time or develops a strange odor, taste, or appearance. In these cases, it should not be consumed and should be discarded immediately.

Can cinnamon stick be reused to make extract?

Cinnamon sticks can be reused a couple of times before they start to lose their flavor; however, for the best quality cinnamon extract, we recommend using only fresh cinnamon sticks that are in their prime state.

You can reuse the cinnamon sticks for other recipes, simply by rinsing them under cold water and letting them dry.

For maximum flavor, you can run a grater over the twigs to release some fresh flavor. You can do this 4-5 times before the cinnamon sticks start to lose their flavor.

What is the difference between cinnamon oil and cinnamon extract?

Cinnamon oil and cinnamon extract are two different things, even though they come from the same source.

Cinnamon oil is extracted directly from the bark of the cinnamon tree and is highly concentrated, some 4 times stronger than cinnamon extract.

Cinnamon extract is made by dissolving cinnamon sticks in an alcohol solution, and is much less potent than cinnamon oil, although it is much easier to use in cooking.

Both the oil and the extract of cinnamon are used as flavorings. Cinnamon extract is used in cakes, cookies, tarts, and ice cream, while cinnamon oil is more suitable for making candies.

Since extremely high heat is needed to make caramels, cinnamon extract is not the best choice because it causes the alcohol to evaporate quickly.

What are the different alcohol options for homemade cinnamon extract?

There are many good options when it comes to choosing the best alcohol for making cinnamon extract, each offering its own unique characteristics.

Vodka is one of the most popular options for distilled spirits when it comes to making extracts. The better the quality of the vodka, the cleaner and smoother it will be, two very important factors to take into account.

The biggest advantage of using vodka is that, being tasteless and odorless, it allows the flavor of cinnamon to shine through.

Rum is another great option when making cinnamon extract . Repeatedly distilled like vodka, it is smooth and pure, bringing out the flavor of cinnamon sticks.

If you plan to make desserts like cakes, cookies, and ice cream, using a rum-based cinnamon extract would be the perfect choice, as it adds a bit of sweetness to the recipe.

The third option is bourbon, the most popular American whiskey and a great choice for making cinnamon extract.

Like vodka, it’s clean; however, it has a slightly smoky, sweet flavor that brings out the sweetness of the cinnamon without overpowering its aroma.

What are the best substitutes for cinnamon?

Cinnamon, one of the most delicious and aromatic spices in the world, can be used in a wide variety of sweet and savory dishes, as well as in different types of drinks.

If you don’t have cinnamon extract, you can use 4 times the amount of ground cinnamon in your recipe.

But when even that’s not an option, you can substitute it with a bunch of things you can easily find on your spice rack.

Some of the best substitutes for cinnamon are nutmeg, ginger, cloves, star anise, cardamom, allspice, and pumpkin seasoning.

Since all of these ingredients have different flavor profiles, you need to choose the right substitute based on the recipe you need it for and whether it’s sweet or savory.