What is Cinnamon?

Cinnamon is a spice widely produced in China, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka.  It comes from the inner bark of certain trees, which are cut in special ways and left to dry.  Cinnamon is a reddish-brown color and often comes in sticks that are coiled pieces of bark.  Cinnamon also comes in powdered form.  The different types of cinnamon are cassia, Indonesian cinnamon, ”true” cinnamon, and Vietnamese cinnamon.  The cinnamon often consumed in the United States is cassia.  This type of cinnamon has a warm and spicy smell.

What Does Cinnamon Taste Like?

Cinnamon has a warm, spicy flavor.

How Do You Eat Cinnamon?

Cinnamon is used in both savory and sweet dishes because of its versatility.  In savory dishes, cinnamon is often a part of tagines or shawarma.  Spice blends like pumpkin spice, jerk, and Chinese five-spice all use cinnamon.  In sweet dishes, cinnamon is a strong flavoring agent in pumpkin pie, apple pie, and cinnamon rolls.  Cinnamon is an important flavor in snickerdoodle cookies, french toast, coffee cakes, streusel, and churros.  Fresh cinnamon sticks are often used whole to flavor and stir drinks like coffee or hot chocolate.  Fresh cinnamon sticks or cinnamon powder are often sprinkled over the top of finished desserts to add a bit of spice.

Where Can You Buy Cinnamon?

Cinnamon powder is found in the spice aisle of the grocery store.  Most stores also carry cinnamon sticks, which are also located in the spice aisle of the grocery store.

How Do You Store Cinnamon?

Store cinnamon in a sealed, airtight container, such as its original spice jar, in a cool, dry place.

Fun Fact About Cinnamon

Cinnamon was often used in medicine in certain countries.

Did You Know?

The origins of cinnamon are unknown, but Ancient Egypt recorded using it in certain traditions.

Recipes Using Cinnamon

Kids Are Great Cooks Video Cooking Lessons That Use Cinnamon

Kids Are Great Cooks video cooking lesson of French Toast

French Toast Video Cooking Lesson For Kids

We also use cinnamon in our Oatmeal Raisin cooking video lesson

Oatmeal Raisin Video Cooking Lesson For Kids

Our authentic Mexican bunuelos recipe uses cinnamon.

Pumpkin Pie Spice Mix

Combine the common pumpkin pie spices together for easy usage. Mix together cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves. Store in an airtight container.

Skillet Cinnamon Apples

Start by peeling, coring, and slicing McIntosh apples into eighths. Toss apples with cinnamon and brown sugar, then transfer to a skillet with butter and water. Cook until apples are soft and sauce is thick.

Snickerdoodle Cookies

Cinnamon is the star of snickerdoodle cookies. Combine flour, baking soda, sugar, baking soda, and cinnamon in a bowl. Then, add in eggs and vanilla. Use spoons to scoop out balls of dough. Roll the dough balls in cinnamon sugar then place on a baking sheet. Bake until cooked.

French Toast

Make a delicious breakfast or brunch meal. Preheat butter in a skillet over medium heat. In a shallow bowl, mix eggs, milk, cinnamon, sugar, and vanilla. Dip bread in the egg mixture then transfer to the skillet. Flip when the bottom turns golden-brown and remove from the heat when both sides are golden-brown. Serve with maple syrup.

Spiced White Hot Chocolate

Enjoy warm flavors in your white hot chocolate. Bring white chocolate, milk, and vanilla to a simmer in a medium saucepan. Remove the pan from heat when the mixture starts to simmer. Pour white hot chocolate into mugs. Serve with a cinnamon stick for stirring, whipped cream, and a drizzle of homemade caramel. For an extra cinnamon flavor, make your own homemade whipped cream with heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla.