How to Use Cinnamon Sticks

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: March 7, 2023 References

Cinnamon sticks are a delicious and aromatic form of cinnamon that can be used in a wide variety of ways. You can use cinnamon sticks to create various useful and one-of-a-kind crafts, or to add a subtle spice flavor to various dishes. When steeped in liquid, cinnamon sticks can also be used to make delicious, uniquely spiced beverages.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Crafting with Cinnamon Sticks

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Use cinnamon sticks and leather cord to make scented ornaments. String a piece of leather cord, about 12 inches (30 cm) long, through the hollow center of 3 cinnamon sticks. Fold the cinnamon sticks into a triangle shape, then pull the cord tight to secure the shape. Tie the loose ends together at the top. To hang the ornament, cut another piece of leather cord about 4 inches (10 cm). Loop it around the top of the triangle and tie it in a knot to secure.^{[1]
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- You can also use a piece of twine or hemp instead of a leather cord.
- For more of a holiday vibe, use craft glue to glue a 1 inch (2.5 cm) piece of tree garland onto the bottom corner of the triangle cinnamon ornament.^{[2]
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2
Make a fall-ready cinnamon stick candle. Coarsely chop 4 cinnamon sticks and set aside. Set out your candle holder (you can use a jar, small bowl, or any small container you’d like) on a flat surface. Lay one end of a candle wick in the center of the bowl then wrap the other end around a pencil to hold the wick straight up and in place. Melt candle wax in a nonstick pan on low heat. Once melted, mix the chopped cinnamon sticks into the wax and quickly pour the hot wax into the candle holder to fill it about ¾ of the way up.^{[3]
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- Let the wax cool and harden for at least 15 minutes before removing the pencil and trimming the wick as needed.
- To make your candle’s cinnamon scent stronger, add a few drops of cinnamon extract to the wax as its melting.^{[4]
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3
Craft your own homemade spice potpourri. Preheat your oven to 250 °F (121 °C). Thinly slice an apple and an orange and lay the slices flat on a baking sheet. Bake the fruit slices for an hour and a half, then remove them from the oven to cool. Once cool, mix the slices in a large jar with about 2 tablespoons (28.3 grams) of cloves, 3 to 5 cinnamon sticks, and about 2 tablespoons (28.3 grams) of star anise..^{[5]
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- Put the lid on the jar and let the mixture settle for 1 day before pouring out and displaying it in a bowl or decorative jar.^{[6]
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4
Secure cinnamon sticks together for easy scented drink coasters. Set out about 5 or 6 cinnamon sticks. Add a dab of craft glue to the center of one of the cinnamon sticks, and press another stick to it firmly to secure the two together. Repeat this process until all 5 or 6 cinnamon sticks are glued together.^{[7]
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- To add a bit more visual interest to your coasters, weave a piece of colorful string or twine along the ends of the cinnamon sticks (like a log raft). This will make your coasters look a bit more finished.^{[8]
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5
Tie cinnamon sticks onto gifts for an added personal touch. For an easy way to elevate your fall or holiday gifts, use ribbon, twine, or holiday-colored string to tie a few cinnamon sticks onto your wrapped gifts. The recipient will surely appreciate your added effort and the pleasant scent.
- In addition to wrapped gifts, you can tie a few cinnamon sticks onto soaps, jam jars, or cider mix for an easy yet thoughtful gift for your friends, neighbors, or family members.^{[9]
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6
Make a moth-repelling pouch for your closet. Fill a small mesh baggie or sachet with a cinnamon stick, 1 tablespoon (14.3 grams) of black peppercorns, and 1 tablespoon (14.3 grams) of whole cloves. Hang the pouch on a hanger in your closet, or place it in a dresser drawer to keep moths off of your clothing.^{[10]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Cooking with Cinnamon Sticks

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Make an easy homemade cinnamon syrup. Add 4 cinnamon sticks to 2 cups (470 mL) of water in a pot. Turn the stove on high to bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Let the cinnamon sticks simmer for about 25 minutes, then turn off the stovetop and let the pot cool for 15 minutes. Remove the cinnamon sticks from the water, then add 1.5 cups (192 grams) of white sugar. Turn the stovetop back on low and reheat the water for 7 minutes, stirring frequently. Once the sugar is dissolved, let the syrup cool before using or storing in a jar.^{[11]
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- You may need to run the syrup through a strainer if any cinnamon stick particles came off while they were boiling.^{[12]
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- Use your homemade cinnamon syrup on ice cream, in cocktails or other drinks, or on waffles or pancakes.
2
Put a cinnamon stick in your rice cooker for a unique flavor. To give your rice a hint of a rich spice flavor, place a cinnamon stick on top of the rice after you add it to the rice cooker. Then, cook the rice according to the instructions.^{[13]
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- If you don’t have a rice cooker, you can also add a cinnamon stick to a pot of rice and water and cook according to the instructions on the stovetop.
- Cinnamon stick rice works particularly well in or with Asian, Middle Eastern, and North African dishes.^{[14]
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3
Simmer a cinnamon stick in oatmeal for a comforting breakfast. When cooking oatmeal on the stove or in a slow cooker, add 1 or 2 cinnamon sticks, depending on your taste preference. This will give your oats an extra comforting spice flavor.^{[15]
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- Cinnamon sticks are a great addition to oatmeal made with apples, peaches, raisins, or pumpkin puree.
4
Use a cinnamon stick to flavor slow cooker meats, stews, and curries. When you’re slow cooking beef, chicken, pork, or lamb, or when making a stew or curry dish, add a cinnamon stick right before you turn the slow cooker on. The cinnamon stick won’t make the meat or stew taste strongly of cinnamon, but will add a subtle rich spice flavor.^{[16]
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- Adding a cinnamon stick to slow cooker chili will also add a great subtle flavor.^{[17]
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5
Soak cinnamon sticks in rum for a homemade cinnamon essence. Pour 3 ounces (85 g) of light or dark rum into a container with a lid. Add 2 cinnamon sticks to the container before replacing the lid on the container. Store the rum and cinnamon mixture in a cool, dark place for about 2 weeks, shaking it daily to ensure that the flavors are infused.
- You can then use your homemade cinnamon essence in almost any recipe that calls for cinnamon extract.^{[18]
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  Research source} Note, however, that the cinnamon essence will be a bit sweeter than cinnamon extract because of the sweetness in the rum.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Making Cinnamon Stick Drinks

1
Use cinnamon sticks to add spice to homemade mulled wine. Add 4 cups (950 mL) of apple cider, 1 bottle of red wine, ¹⁄₄ cup (59 mL) of honey, 2 cinnamon sticks, 1 orange zested and juiced, 4 cloves, and 3 star anise pods to a large saucepan. Turn the stovetop on high to bring the liquid to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Let the mixture simmer for 10 minutes, then turn the stovetop off and let it cool before serving.^{[19]
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- Add an orange peel or cinnamon stick stirrer for an extra garnish.
2
Add flavor to tea or cider by using a cinnamon stick to stir. Make your tea or apple cider as directed. Once your drink is finished, use a cinnamon stick to stir while it’s still hot. You can stir with the cinnamon briefly to add just a bit of flavor, or leave the stick in to seep while you drink.^{[20]
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- To add a bit of a kick to your cinnamon stick tea, add 1 ounce (28 g) of whiskey, 2 teaspoons (9.9 mL) of honey, and a squeeze of lemon juice to make a cinnamon tea hot toddie.^{[21]
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- You can use a cinnamon stick as a stirrer several times before it’ll lose its flavor. Just rinse it with hot water and let it dry before using it again.^{[22]
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3
Boil a cinnamon stick with hot chocolate. To make a traditional New Mexico hot chocolate, pour milk, cocoa powder, and white sugar into a saucepan. Add a cinnamon stick, then turn the stovetop on low. Bring the liquid to a simmer while stirring consistently to combine. Once it reaches a low boil, turn the stovetop off and let it cool before pouring it into a mug to enjoy.
- You can either leave the cinnamon stick in the hot chocolate when you pour it into a mug, or remove it with a spoon if you prefer.
- You can use a pre-packaged hot chocolate mix instead on cocoa and sugar.
4
Put cinnamon sticks in your coffee maker for uniquely flavored coffee. Pour your desired amount of coffee grounds into the coffee maker as you usually do. Then, lay a cinnamon stick on top of the coffee grounds. Turn the coffee maker on and brew as usual.^{[23]
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- This will only add a subtle cinnamon flavor. If you want the cinnamon to be stronger, use another cinnamon stick to stir your coffee while it’s still hot.
5
Make simple cinnamon tisane for a comforting hot drink. Heat up a mug of water in a kettle or in the microwave. Once heated to your desired temperature, steep a cinnamon stick in hot water for about 10 minutes.^{[24]
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- While quite simple, cinnamon tisane can be very effective in helping to soothe an upset stomach.^{[25]
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- Because of its antimicrobial prosperities, you can also use cinnamon tisane to treat athlete’s foot by making a larger batch and soaking your feet in the mixture for about 20 minutes as needed.^{[26]
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