How to make Cinnamon extract and its uses

If you want to give your food the right touch, use cinnamon extract. Cinnamon essence makes a great addition to baked goods but can give a little kick to cocktails, chocolate, or help enhance your hair.

Cinnamon is the number one spice used the most in baked goods globally. While it is available in cinnamon sticks or powder, the pure cinnamon essence wraps all flavors and fragrances of cinnamon in one small bottle that you can carry anywhere you want.

Moreover, preserving cinnamon in alcohol, the fragrance and taste last much longer than powder form. 

What is Cinnamon Extract?

The pure cinnamon extract, also called cinnamon essence or cinnamon tincture, is a concentrate made by infusing cinnamon bark sticks in alcohol. The alcohol act as a menstruum that pulls out the active ingredients from the cinnamon bark and concentrates them as a liquid. This cinnamon extract recipe has the taste and scent of cinnamon and its medicinal benefits.

Alcohol not only extracts the cinnamon’s properties but also acts as a preserving agent. That is why cinnamon extract liquid has a long shelf life when stored properly. 

Ingredients to make cinnamon extract

While you can find cinnamon extract liquid in the supermarket, I prefer the homemade version. You can select the right ingredients and have the essence for a fraction of the bought.

Cinnamon sticks

Cinnamon is a spice obtained from the inner bark of trees known as Cinnamomum. It has a long history of uses dating back to ancient times when cinnamon was a rare and valuable spice. Nowadays, cinnamon is affordable and easily available in supermarkets in two types:

Ceylon cinnamon, also called “true,” is mainly imported from Sri Lanka and Madagascar and found mostly in Europe and Mexico. Ceylon cinnamon has a sweet and floral aroma and light color.

Cassia cinnamon, referred to as cinnamon, has a deep reddish-brown color and is imported from China and India.

In this study, however, researchers pointed out that the Cassia variety contains significant amounts of a compound called coumarin, which is believed to be harmful in large doses. Thus Ceylon (“true” cinnamon) is much better in this regard, and studies show that the level of coumarin is much lower than the Cassia variety.

Unfortunately, most cinnamon found in US supermarkets sells cheaper Cassia variety. For Ceylon, type check some health food stores.

When making cinnamon essence or tea, remember that the stronger the cinnamon scent, the more potent homemade cinnamon extract you make. So use fresh cinnamon sticks from a freshly opened package.

Alcohol

To extract all medicinal properties, fragrances, and taste of cinnamon, we need to use ethanol 40-50%, 80-100 proof of alcohol (also ethyl alcohol or grain spirit) available in a pharmacy. You can also use unflavored vodka. Other alcohol like rum or brandy will also extract the cinnamon properties however have their taste that may affect the final flavor of your cinnamon essence. 

How to make cinnamon extract

First step

Place cinnamon sticks into a sterilized jar. You may want to break them in half if they don’t fit in.

Second step

Pour over the alcohol of your choice. Make sure the cinnamon sticks are covered completely

Third step

Cover the jar with a plastic lid. If you have a jar with a metal lid, place parchment paper between the top and jar. 

Fourth step

Place the jar in a dark, cold place for four weeks. Keep an eye on the jar as you need to shake it from time to time (every second day) 

Fifth step

Remove the cinnamon sticks, and transfer the pure cinnamon extract to a dark dropper bottle. Label it. 

Note: Unlike other extracts such as vanilla or coffee beans that you can leave in your extract jar long time, cinnamon sticks can taste bitter and ruin the extract if you keep cinnamon sticks in the alcohol too long. Once the extract reaches desired taste and flavor, remove the sticks. 

How to use cinnamon extract

cooking or drinks

Just a few drops give any recipe an unmistakable cinnamon flavor. The flavoring is intense so just be careful not to use too much. It is better to experiment at the beginning, start with a little, and add more to the taste.

I use a dropper bottle rather than just a regular bottle for a better dosage.

Instead of cinnamon whiskey, add a few drops to these cinnamon toast crunch shots.

Cinnamon essence for baking

This cinnamon extract recipe adds a unique flavor to desserts and pastries and is the most popular spice in baked goods worldwide. 

Homemade cinnamon rolls…..

cookies, tea, sauces, dressings, puddings, cakes, and sorbet for an unmistakable cinnamon flavor.

Potent cinnamon essence is the perfect ingredient for any whipped cream, icing, frosting, or topping;

I like the delicate fragrance of this homemade cinnamon essence on my ice cream sorbets, morning smoothie, popsicles, or pancakes. You can alternate with this coffee extract. 

Cinnamon extract for hair

For hair growth

Researchers confirmed that cinnamon contains cinnamaldehyde that increases circulation and blood flow to the hair follicles, thus supporting hair growth. However, more research is needed.

to ease dandruff

According to this study, cinnamon possesses antifungal properties that work against a fungus that causes dandruff; thus, including cinnamon extract in your shampoo or conditioner helps to ease dandruff.

Alternatively, you can make your hair mask where you just gently heat ¼ cup of coconut oil and ¼ cup of olive oil n a small saucepan over low heat to melt don’t need to boil the mixture. Add 20 drops of this cinnamon essence recipe to create a hair mask. This mask you can apply to your scalp and hair and let it sit for 10-15 minutes. Wash it with shampoo. When used regularly on the scalp, this cinnamon mask may stimulate circulation, thus encouraging hair growth and reducing hair loss. It also has antifungal properties, which might help treat dandruff.