Cinnamon sugar strikes the perfect balance between sugar and spice. When prepared in just the right ratio, it’s a combination that’s hard to beat. Keep some on hand and use it on toast, pancakes, desserts, waffles, French toast, and more!

Overhead view of cinnamon sugar in a jar with a wooden spoon.

You will never run out of ways to use this. Make easy cinnamon toast by spreading butter on warm toast and sprinkle a bit of cinnamon sugar on top. Roll warm donuts, donut holes, and churros in it, sprinkle it on French toast, pancakes, waffles, and more! Sometimes we even sprinkle it on gingerbread hot chocolate for a little something extra during the holidays!

About this recipe

  • Familiar Classic: You’re probably familiar with the combination of cinnamon and sugar. We love this classic combo in our churro pancakes and on top of cinnamon pancakes. It’s also perfect on snickerdoodle pancakes. So you might be wondering why you need a recipe for it.
  • Perfect Cinnamon to Sugar Ratio: Have you ever tasted pure cinnamon all by itself? It’s a little bitter and overwhelming, so it’s usually mixed with something to neutralize the bitterness, whether it be sugar or another food ingredient. Sugar gives it a delicious sweet and spiced balance. To get that balance just right, it takes a certain ratio. Otherwise, you’ll either be tasting too much sugar or too much cinnamon.
  • Cinnamon is Good for You: Did you know that cinnamon has lots of health benefits? It’s loaded with antioxidants, it has anti-inflammatory properties, and it’s said to help lower blood sugar (among many other benefits). There’s a little more to cinnamon that you may have expected. (Healthline)

Keep reading for some of our favorite ways to use it!

Cinnamon sugar in a small white bowl with silver spoon.

What you need

You guessed it – just granulated sugar and ground cinnamon are needed for this recipe!

Cinnamon and sugar in separate bowls.

How to make it

In a small bowl or jar, stir together sugar and cinnamon until combined. Store in an airtight container.

Cinnamon and sugar before and after being mixed.

The Perfect Cinnamon to Sugar Ratio

The perfect ratio for cinnamon to sugar is 2 tablespoons of cinnamon for every 1/2 cup of sugar!

  • Want a larger batch? Use 1 cup of sugar and 1/4 cup of cinnamon.
  • Want a smaller batch? Use 1 tablespoon of sugar and 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon.

How to Make Cinnamon Sugar Toast

Now that you’ve got it prepared, keep it on hand for all sorts of uses. Making cinnamon sugar toast is probably one of the most common ways to enjoy it. It’s a comforting and nostalgic way to top toasted bread.

Use any type of bread you have on hand. Regular white bread, whole grain bread, sprouted wheat, sourdough, cinnamon bread, you name it. Pop it in the toaster until lightly toasted.

When it comes out of the toaster, immediately spread the hot toast with butter so that the butter has a chance to melt. When the butter has melted, use a small spoon or shaker to sprinkle cinnamon sugar evenly over the warm toast. Mmmm, so good!

Cinnamon toast topped with cinnamon sugar.

What type of Cinnamon makes the best Cinnamon Sugar

Cinnamon is touted as extremely beneficial but it’s important to understand that there are differences in the types of cinnamon. If you consume a lot of cinnamon, it’s a good idea to know which one is best.

There are two main types of cinnamon: Cassia and Ceylon. Ceylon is higher quality and safer in larger amounts. Cassia contains something called coumarin which can be harmful in large doses. You shouldn’t eat more than one teaspoon a day of the cassia variety. Further information can be found here.

More Uses for Cinnamon Sugar

Make Ahead Ideas

This combination of cinnamon and sugar has a long shelf life (6 months or more, depending on the freshness of your cinnamon) which naturally makes it great for making ahead of time. Keep it stored in an airtight container and have it ready any time you need it.

Jar of cinnamon sugar mixture with a wooden spoon.

More great pancake toppings

Cinnamon sugar in a small jar with little wooden spoon.

Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Sugar

Cinnamon sugar strikes the perfect balance between sugar and spice. When prepared in just the right ratio, it’s a combination that’s hard to beat. Keep some on hand and use it on toast, pancakes, desserts, waffles, french toast, and more!
4.80 from 5 rating

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon

Instructions

  • In a small bowl or jar, stir together sugar and cinnamon until combined. Store in an airtight container.

Notes

  • Makes about 1/2 cup, serving size 2 teaspoons
  • Want a larger batch? Use 1 cup sugar and 1/4 cup cinnamon.
  • Want a smaller batch? Use 1 tablespoon sugar and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon.
  • For a more mild cinnamon sugar, use 1 tablespoon of cinnamon rather than 2 tablespoons.
Serving: 2teaspoon, Calories: 36kcal, Carbohydrates: 9g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 1mg, Potassium: 6mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 8g, Vitamin A: 4IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 13mg, Iron: 1mg