Print

Homemade Vanilla Cinnamon Syrup: Best Easy Christmas Coffee Syrup

vanilla cinnamon syrup - featured image
Print Recipe

This homemade vanilla cinnamon syrup captures the warm, spiced sweetness of a beloved bookstore latte. Made with simple pantry ingredients, it transforms ordinary coffee into a cozy, café-worthy treat perfect for Christmas morning or any chilly day.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar (optional)
  • 1 vanilla bean, split (optional)
  • 1 star anise (optional)
  • Pinch of nutmeg (optional)

Instructions

  1. Combine the water and sugar. Pour 1 cup of water into a small saucepan. Add 1 cup of granulated sugar. Place the saucepan over medium heat and stir gently with a wooden spoon until the sugar is mostly dissolved, about 2-3 minutes.
  2. Add the cinnamon sticks. Once the sugar is dissolved, drop in 2 cinnamon sticks. Give everything a gentle stir. Let the mixture come to a gentle simmer—not a rolling boil, just a lazy bubble around the edges.
  3. Simmer gently. Reduce the heat to low and let the syrup simmer for 10 minutes. Set a timer. Stir occasionally to prevent anything from sticking to the bottom.
  4. Remove from heat and add vanilla. After 10 minutes, take the saucepan off the heat. Remove the cinnamon sticks with tongs or a fork. Let the syrup cool for about 1 minute, then stir in 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract.
  5. Strain the syrup. Place a fine-mesh strainer over a glass measuring cup or directly over your storage jar. Pour the syrup through the strainer to catch any stray cinnamon bits or sugar crystals.
  6. Cool completely. Let the syrup cool at room temperature for about 20-30 minutes. It will thicken slightly as it cools.
  7. Transfer to a jar. Once the syrup is completely cool, pour it into a clean glass jar using a funnel if you have one. Seal with the lid. Give it a gentle shake.
  8. Store properly. Place the jar in the refrigerator. The syrup will keep for up to 3 weeks.

Notes

Don’t boil the syrup vigorously to prevent crystallization. Set a timer for 10 minutes to avoid over-simmering. For stronger cinnamon flavor, let cinnamon sticks steep in hot syrup for an extra 5-10 minutes after removing from heat. Use room temperature ingredients to prevent sugar from seizing. Clean jar thoroughly to avoid spoilage. If syrup crystallizes, place jar in warm water and stir gently.

Nutrition

Keywords: vanilla cinnamon syrup, homemade coffee syrup, Christmas syrup, easy syrup recipe, vanilla syrup, cinnamon syrup, coffee syrup, holiday syrup

Find it online: https://jollyfork.com/homemade-vanilla-cinnamon-syrup-best-easy-christmas-coffee-syrup/