How to Make Cinnamon Sugar (Plus: Gourmet Variations)

Sweet and simple.

To be honest, I was not planning on writing an article on something this basic. But I was in the spice aisle at the grocery store the other day when I saw that a certain multinational spice conglomerate was selling small containers of cinnamon sugar for several dollars per canister. The horror! This perfect, sweet toast topper can be made at home in seconds — and for pennies. Here’s how to make homemade cinnamon sugar, with gourmet variations for good measure.

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How to Make Homemade Cinnamon Sugar

• The ratio: Use 1 cup of sugar to 2 1/4 teaspoons of ground cinnamon. But if you like a stronger cinnamon punch, you can go up to 2 1/2 teaspoons of cinnamon. This ratio can also be halved or doubled, depending on how much or little you want.
• The recipe: Combine 1 cup of sugar with 2 1/4 teaspoons of ground cinnamon. Stir with a spoon until everything is fully mixed.
• Cinnamon sugar will keep indefinitely.

Feeling Fancy? Make Your Homemade Cinnamon Sugar Gourmet

If you want to be a little fancier with your homemade cinnamon sugar, try the following variations:

• Add 1/8 teaspoon of cardamom and a generous pinch of sea salt. Taste. If you’d like a stronger cardamom flavor, add an additional 1/8 teaspoon.
• You can add fresh vanilla bean for an absolutely wonderfully sweet and aromatic version. Split a vanilla bean in half and scrape the bean paste into the cinnamon sugar. Whisk well or beat the vanilla paste with the cinnamon and sugar in a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until well mixed.
• Zest one orange and whisk the zest into the cinnamon sugar until it is well distributed and fragrant.

That’s it! Just remember that 1 cup : 2 1/4 teaspoon ratio of sugar to cinnamon, grab your toast and butter, and enjoy from there.

Beyond toast, this blend is the essential finishing touch for authentic cinnamon rugelach. It creates that signature glittery, crunchy exterior on the pastry logs before they hit the oven