What Are Cinnamon sticks and How Can I Use Them?

Wondering what to do with cinnamon sticks? This guide covers how to pick them, cook them, store them, and swap them, plus 387 recipes to put them to work.

What are cinnamon sticks?

Cinnamon bark is widely used as a spice. It is principally employed in cookery as a condiment and flavoring material. It is used in the preparation of chocolate, especially in Mexico, which is the main importer of true cinnamon.

It is also used in the preparation of some kinds of desserts, such as apple pie, donuts, and cinnamon buns as well as spicy candies, tea, hot cocoa, and liqueurs. True cinnamon, rather thancassia, is more suitable for use in sweet dishes.

Cinnamon bark is one of the few spices that can be consumed directly.

Cinnamon sticks

Its flavor is due to an aromatic essential oil that makes up 0.5% to 1% of its composition. This oil is prepared by roughly pounding the bark, macerating it in seawater, and then quicklydistilling the whole. It is of a golden-yellow color, with the characteristic odor of cinnamon and a very hot aromatic taste.

Quick facts

Where to find cinnamon sticks: Cinnamon sticks are usually found in the spices section or aisle of the grocery store or supermarket.

In Chinese: 肉桂棒
British (UK) term: Cinnamon sticks
en français: bâtons de cannelle
en español: palitos de canela

Recipes using cinnamon sticks

There are 387 recipes that contain this ingredient.

Adam's Chai Latte Ice Cream

My brother Adam loves this ice cream so much that I asked him for the recipe. It's a Chai Latte with chunks of gingerbread cookies hidden within.

Winter Squash Soup with Cinnamon & Cloves

Winter Squash Soup with Cinnamon and Cloves recipe

Paneer Basmati Pilaf--Paneer Pulao

Paneer Pulao is a delightful and mildly aromatic Indian rice dish that combines basmati rice with paneer, which is a type of Indian cottage cheese.

South Indian Vegetable Biryani

Hi friends this is my first recipe hope you all like it.

Favourite Spiced Tea

Favourite spiced tea: a fragrant homemade chai blend of peppercorns, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, and ginger ground fresh, stirred into a pot of tea and served hot with milk and sugar.

Malabar Chicken Curry Recipe

Malabar chicken curry is a spicy and aromatic dish that hails from the Malabar region of India. This curry is made with a unique blend of spices that include cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and fennel, which gives it a distinctive taste and aroma. The tender chicken pieces are simmered in a rich and flavorful coconut milk-based gravy, making it a perfect dish for any occasion. The curry can be adjusted to your preferred level of spiciness, making it versatile for all tastes. Whether you're looking to explore new flavors or simply want to add a bit of spice to your meals, Malabar chicken curry is a must-try recipe for any home cook.

Mom's Baklava

Mom's baklava layers buttery phyllo with a blend of ground almonds and walnuts, soaked in cinnamon-lemon honey syrup. The cool-syrup-over-hot-pastry trick keeps every flaky layer crisp.

Flaming Cappuccino

Flaming cappuccino with Galliano liqueur, hot coffee, chocolate syrup, and whipped cream in a sugar-rimmed glass. A theatrical after-dinner showpiece.

Glace' Baklava

Glace baklava rolls candied fruit, ground almonds, and egg-bound sugar inside buttered phyllo, bakes until golden, then soaks in lemon-cinnamon syrup. A festive twist on classic Greek baklava.

Pears Poached in Red Wine

Pears poached in red wine simmer halved pears in a cinnamon-spiked syrup of dry red wine, sugar, and lemon juice. Classic French bistro dessert, served warm or chilled.

Kukul Mus Thakkali or Chicken & Tomato Curry

Kukul Mus Thakkali, a Sri Lankan chicken and tomato curry with coconut milk, lemongrass, curry leaves, fenugreek and cardamom. Marinated and simmered for rich, layered flavor.

Baklava 2

Three-nut baklava layers buttered phyllo with walnuts, pistachios, and toasted almonds, then drinks in a citrus-clove honey syrup overnight. The Greek dessert pulled out for big celebrations and bigger family gatherings.

Viennese Spiced Coffee

Viennese spiced coffee steeped with whole cloves and cinnamon sticks, topped with whipped cream and a dusting of cinnamon. A cozy holiday coffee drink with old-world cafe charm.

Cinnamon Ice Cream

Custard-base cinnamon ice cream infused with whole cinnamon sticks and a real vanilla bean. Egg yolk-thickened French style with heavy cream finish. Makes 12 servings.

Mom's Butternut Squash Soup

It was very tasty and I also used this as a base for squash soup with maple-apple flavored chicken sausage as part of a new recipe

Domatoules Glyko (Spicy Cherry Tomato Preserves)

Domatoules Glyko (Spicy Cherry Tomato Preserves) recipe

Baklava (Papadakis Taverna)

Baklava layers buttered phyllo with cinnamon-spiced walnuts, bakes until golden, then drinks in a citrus-honey syrup steeped with cloves. Greek taverna classic finished with whole cloves studded into each diamond.

Vermont Maple Syrup & Porter-Poached Apples

These apples are gently spiced and good for brunch as well as dessert.

Mexican Coffee

Cafe de olla style Mexican coffee simmers ground coffee with a cinnamon stick and sweetens with dark brown sugar (or piloncillo). Traditional rustic spiced coffee made in one pot.

Green Lentil Dhal with Tomatoes & Cinnamon

Aromatic dhal with soaked green lentils, fresh tomatoes, and cinnamon sticks simmered in spiced ghee for a warming vegetarian curry that pairs perfectly with naan.

Chunky Pickles

Chunky pickles brine cucumbers overnight, cook in vinegar, then steep in a brown sugar pickling syrup with cinnamon, allspice, mustard, and celery seeds. Sweet old-fashioned bread-and-butter style.

Pumpkin Rice Pudding

Here is a childhood recipe with a twist. It is great for the holidays and children love it too.

Oven Poached Pears in Wine

Oven poached pears in wine, whole ripe pears roasted upright in fruity white wine and honey with cinnamon, bay, and orange zest, then drizzled with the reduced syrup. An elegant, light, make-ahead dessert.

Cold Plum Soup

Silky cold plum soup with red wine, brandy, sour cream, and warm cinnamon, chilled until velvety smooth. A refreshing Eastern European fruit soup that works as an elegant starter or a light summer dessert.

Tomato Date Chutney

Indian-style tomato date chutney slow-simmered with vinegar-soaked chilies, ginger, garlic, and warm whole spices. Sweet, tart, and lasts six weeks in the fridge.

Crockpot Apple Cider

Enjoy making your very own apple cider in the convenience of your home with this simple and easy crockpot recipe.

Nosmo's Moroccan Chili

Hearty Moroccan-spiced lentil chili with orange, cinnamon, cardamom and fresh vegetables. Pressure cooker ready in minutes, served over couscous for a warming vegetarian weeknight meal.

Cafe De Olla (Mexican Spiced Coffee)

Cafe de olla is the traditional Mexican spiced coffee simmered with cinnamon sticks, cloves, and brown sugar for a fragrant, gently sweet brew. Often finished with a strip of orange zest.

Mulled Cider

Enjoy the sweet aroma of this drink that can warm you up on a cold night.

Saagwalla Dhal

This is the other dhal we made yesterday, when the cooking was close to the end, added some spinach that was cooked with garlic, dried hot chili peppers and mustard seeds, which gave the dhal extra zing and tang, another delicious dhal recipe, of course another good recipe that you can serve with naan bread and raita :)

Masala Coffee (Spiced Coffee)

Masala coffee, the South Indian spiced coffee with cinnamon, cardamom, sugar, and milk. Boiled, strained, and pulled between pans for a thick, frothy cup.

Chana aur Sarson ka Saag Biryani (Basmati Rice & Curry Casserole)

This Indian dish is made with several kinds of spices, mustard greens, cauliflower and chickpeas; it's baked with basmati rice, topped with golden raisins and cashews. You can serve it as a side dish or a tasty main dish.

Baklava Rolls

Baklava rolls turn the classic Greek pastry into individual cigar-shaped pieces filled with cinnamon-spiced walnuts, dipped in honey-lemon syrup. Easier to portion, easier to serve, and the texture is impossibly crisp.

Green Tomatillo Mole

Green tomatillo mole with toasted pumpkin seeds, jalapenos, cilantro, cumin, cinnamon, and romaine lettuce. An authentic Mexican mole verde for chicken, enchiladas, or dipping.

Garam Masala Lamb Kebabs

Garam masala lamb kebabs marinated in spiced yogurt with ginger, garlic, and fresh coriander, then grilled until charred and finished with a dusting of warm, toasted garam masala. Includes a from-scratch spice blend.

Star Anise Poached Pears In Red Wine

Poaching pears in red wine is a classic way to make pears into a dessert. Pears are poached in red wine with star anise, cloves and cinnamon sticks infused, which makes the pears tender, soft and tasty. Serve the warm pear with the syrup sauce and some good quality ice cream.

Hanoi Beef & Rice-Noodle Soup (Pho Bac)

Authentic Hanoi-style pho bo with slow-simmered oxtail and beef bone broth, star anise, charred ginger, rice noodles, and paper-thin sirloin. This traditional Vietnamese beef noodle soup recipe takes 5 hours but rewards you with deeply aromatic, soul-warming bowls.

Spiced Cider with Cranberries (crockpot)

Slow cooker spiced cranberry cider, apple cider mulled low with cranberries, orange, and a generous mix of cinnamon, clove, star anise, and candied ginger. A fragrant, hands-off hot drink for fall and holiday gatherings.

Spiced Cherry Orange Jam

Spiced cherry orange jam with sliced oranges, dark sweet cherries, and a warm cinnamon-clove-allspice infusion. A small-batch preserve for toast, cheese boards, and gift jars.

Chicken & Shrimp Vindaloo

This spicy Indian dish is best served with basmati or jasmine rice, warm nan, and ready-made mint chutney. A mango sorbet would be a nice finish to this meal.

Quick & Easy Pickled Beets

A quick and easy way to make pickled beets, you don't have to wait for days, or do the canning process. Within 30 minutes, you will be able to enjoy these delicious picked beets.

Cranberry, Apple & Pear Sauce

Cranberry, apple and pear, sour and sweet, this is a great sauce to be served with latkes, pork or even turkey.

Wassail

Nice warm spiced cider with citrus fruit. One sip and my belly warmed up so much I had to go turn the heat down!

Mixed Vegetables Jaipur Style (Sabji Jaipuri)

This makes a delicious and colorful vegetarian entree.

Ramsay's Roasted Butternut Squash Hummus

A fantastic healthy dip perfect for the holidays or anytime you might have company coming. Butternut squash is roasted with an Arabic Ras El Hanout spice mixture. Based on a recipe by Gordon Ramsay.

Salpores De Arroz

Learn how to make Salpores de Arroz, a delightful gluten-free Latin American dessert that is perfect for special occasions, such as the Fourth of July. These crispy and golden treats are made from a simple batter that once fried to perfection, they can be enjoyed as a dessert or a sweet snack, adding a touch of sweetness to your celebration.