Cinnamon sugar is a mixture of ground cinnamon and granulated sugar used as a spice to flavor foods such as Belgian waffles, Snickerdoodle cookies, tortillas, coffee cake, French toast, and churros.[1][2][3] It is also used to flavor apples, cereals, and other fruits. As McCormick describes cinnamon sugar, "it’s the comforting scent of Sunday morning cinnamon toast and mid-summer’s peach cobbler...the aroma of the holidays, with cinnamon cookies and spice cake."[4]

A bottle of homemade cinnamon sugar

History

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It is not known when the term "cinnamon sugar" first came about. Some books, like Bernard Fantus's "Candy Medication" in 1915, mention it. Fantus writes about "red cinnamon sugar" as one of the products created for medical purposes.[5] But others, like an 1891 book of vegetarian cooking, do not. The latter book, in describing a recipe for apple custard, describes how "a little cinnamon sugar can be shaken over the top" is the appropriate topping.[6] Apart from this, one of the earliest uses of the term "cinnamon sugar" is within the "book of cookery" used by Martha Washington and her descendants, purchased by the Historical Society of Pennsylvania in 1892. In a recipe for stewing warden's pears, the spice mixture is directly mentioned: "Boyle them first in faire water, then pare & stew them between 2 dishes of cinnamon sugar and rose water, or the same seasoning you may put them in a pie and bake them."[7]

In 1846, Charles Elme Francatelli, a British cook of Italian descent, published a cookbook in which he described shaking "some cinnamon sugar" on the surface of "cherry bread" (a British bread), German "Kouglauff," a German tourte of apricots, and on a brown-bread soufflé.[8] 18 years later, in 1865, J.E. Tilton's cookbook talked about how the create the spice mixture, recommended that it be on eggs, and baked with as a possible replacement of "vanilla sticks."[9] By 1881 J.E. Thompson Gill's cookbook still recommended how the mix could be made, but recommended it be applied on pound cakes instead.[10] 17 years later, in 1898, a cooking encyclopedia would refer to the spice mixture when talking about cinnamon sticks and other desserts.[11] In 1907, Hotel Monthly published a cookbook that mentioned cinnamon sugar as a topping for French Baba, a type of cake.[12] This was followed by the National Baker writing, in 1913, about the sprinkling of this mixture on "Parisian Cake."[13]

During the 1920s and 1930s, the term "cinnamon sugar" was used in reference to cooking, primarily recommended as a garnish on desserts.[14][15] While this spice mixture was mentioned in The New Zealand Journal of Agriculture in 1955,[16] it would primarily appear in U.S.-publications, like the Illinois Rural Electric News in 1959,[17] American Home in 1964,[18] and the American Sugar Crystal Company's Crystal-ized Facts in 1967.[19] In the 1970s and 1980s, the spice mixture was integrated into many cookbooks, and other publications, becoming a common topping for dessert dishes.[20][21][22][23] By the early 1990s, cinnamon sugar within books about early childhood education and in a cookbook of the fraternity Beta Sigma Phi.[24][25]

In the 21st century, the term has remained as staple of cookbooks, mostly when it comes to desserts,[26][27][28][29][30] including vegan recipes.[31][32]

 
Raisin bread with cinnamon sugar swirled in the dough.

This spice mixture has not only been used to flavor funnel cakes and other treats, but it has been mentioned in patents and as part of recipes.[33][34][35][36] The latter is where many results of the term derive, as the term "cinnamon sugar" is often used in cookbooks.[37][38][39][40][41] This spice mixture has also been used in scientific studies about bean flour, a natural remedy of cinnamon sugar to "treat" dermatitis, and others, while being part of the promotional materials of companies like King Arthur Flour.[42][43][44][45] There is currently a propellant developed for astronauts which has the moniker of "cinnamon sugar."[46] Poems have mentioned the spice mixture as well, like Nancy Gillespie Westerfield's 1976 work, which talks about how the main character toasted her bread with the spice mixture, reminding her of "sweet things" from her girlhood, or Mel Vavra's 2001 work, which poses the protagonist as "a Cinnamon-Sugar girl."[47][48]

In the United States cinnamon and sugar are "often used to flavour cereals, bread-based dishes, and fruits, especially apples," while in the Middle East cinnamon is "often used in savory dishes of chicken and lamb" and in the preparation of chocolate in Mexico.[citation needed] In South Africa there is a famous dessert pastry called melktert which is "lightly flavoured with cinnamon sugar."[49]

References

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  1. ^ Pantry Basics: The Very Best Cinnamon-Sugar Ratio, Apartment Therapy, LLC, archived from the original on October 31, 2018, retrieved October 30, 2018
  2. ^ McCormick® Cinnamon Sugar, McCormick & Company, archived from the original on October 30, 2018, retrieved October 30, 2018
  3. ^ Cinnamon Sugar, CBS Interactive, archived from the original on October 30, 2018, retrieved October 30, 2018
  4. ^ Flavor Story: Cinnamon Sugar, McCormick & Company, archived from the original on October 30, 2018, retrieved October 30, 2018
  5. ^ Fantus, Bernard (1915). Candy Medication. St. Louis, Missouri: C.V. Mosby Company. p. 74. Archived from the original on 2019-01-12. Retrieved 2018-11-01.
  6. ^ Payne, A.G. (1891). "Chapter III. Savoury Rice, Macaroni, Oatmeal &c. Rice". Cassell's Vegetarian Cookery: A Manual of Cheap and Wholesome Diet. London: Cassell & Company, Limited. Archived from the original on 2019-12-24. Retrieved 2018-11-01.
  7. ^ Wylie, J.C. (1903), "Mrs. Washington's "Book of Cookery"", The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, 27 (4): 436–437, JSTOR 20086105
  8. ^ Francatelli, Charles Elmé (1846). The Modern Cook, A Practical Guide To The Culinary Art in All Its Branches. Chicago: Hotel Monthly. pp. 394, 410, 437, 439.
  9. ^ Tilton, J.E. (1865). The Art of Confectionery: With Various Methods of Preserving Fruits and Fruit Juices; the Preparation of Jams and Jellies; Fruit and Other Syrups; Summer Beverages, and Directions for Making Dessert Cakes. Also Different Methods of Making Ice Cream, Sherbet, Etc. These Receipts are from the Best New York, Philadelphia, and Boston Confectioners, and Include a Large Number from the French and Other Foreign Nations. Boston: J.E. Tilton & Company. pp. 44, 169, 208–9.
  10. ^ Gill, J. Thompson (1881). The Complete Bread, Cake and Cracker Baker. Chicago: J. Thompson Gill. pp. 96, 168.
  11. ^
  12. ^ Richards, Paul (1907). The Complete Bread, Cake and Cracker Baker. Chicago: Hotel Monthly. p. 47.
  13. ^ "Parisan Cake - Raised", National Baker, 18: 68, 1913
  14. ^ "Baking Industry", Baking Industry, 36: 256–257, 356, 463, 562, 708, 817, 910, 1109, 1110, 1921
  15. ^ Hospital Purchasing File. Chicago: Purchasing Files Incorporated. 1937. p. 757.
  16. ^ "The New Zealand Journal of Agriculture", The New Zealand Journal of Agriculture: 532–533, 1955
  17. ^ "Illinois Rural Electric News", Illinois Rural Electric News, 16–19: 79, 1959
  18. ^ "American Home", American Home, 67 (7–12): 532–533, 1964
  19. ^ "Crystal-ized Facts", Crystal-ized Facts, 21: 36–37, 1967
  20. ^ Komarik, Stephan L. (1975), "Food Products Formulary: Tressler, D. K. and Sultan, W. J. Cereals, baked goods, dairy and egg, products", Food Products Formulary: Tressler, D. K. And Sultan, W. J. Cereals, Baked Goods, Dairy and Egg, Products, 2: 109, 201, 202, ISBN 9780870551703
  21. ^ "Sunset", Sunset, 157: 446, 1976
  22. ^ Sultan, William J. (1976). Practical baking manual: for students and instructors. Avi Pub. Co. pp. 31, 114, 154. ISBN 9780870552137.
  23. ^ Brody, Jane S. (1981). Jane Brody's Nutrition Book: A Lifetime Guide to Good Eating for Better Health and Weight Control. New York, New York: W.W. Norton & Company. pp. 91, 92, 93, 376. ISBN 978-0-393-01429-7.
  24. ^ Eliason, Claudia Fuhriman; Jenkins, Loa Thomson (1990). A practical guide to early childhood curriculum. Merrill. p. 216. ISBN 9780675211987.
  25. ^ The Best of Beta Sigma Phi cookbook. Favorite Recipes Press. 1991. p. 216. ISBN 9780871973061.
  26. ^ Ashburner, Gene (2013). Invigorating Sugar Scrub Recipes. Gene Ashburner. p. 11.
  27. ^ Steinback, Jyl (2002). Cook Once, Eat for a Week. New York, New York: Penguin. pp. 39, 41, 60, 220, 229. ISBN 978-0-399-52844-6.
  28. ^ Lampe, Ray (2007). Dr. BBQ's Big-Time Barbecue Road Trip!. New York, New York: St. Martin's Press. p. 24. ISBN 978-0-312-34958-5.
  29. ^ Kern, Dorothy (2014). Dessert Mashups: Tasty Two-in-One Treats Including Sconuts, S'morescake, Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie and Many More. Berkeley, California: Ulysses Press. pp. 21, 22, 60. ISBN 978-1-61243-365-3.
  30. ^ Castella, Krystina (2012). A World of Cake: 150 Recipes for Sweet Traditions from Cultures Near and Far; Honey cakes to flat cakes, fritters to chiffons, tartes to tortes, meringues to mooncakes, fruit cakes to spice cakes. Berkeley, California: Ulysses Press. pp. 28, 36, 78, 179, 219. ISBN 978-1-60342-576-6.
  31. ^ Peters, Kris Holechek (2013). Vegan Desserts in Jars: Adorably Delicious Pies, Cakes, Puddings, and Much More. Berkeley, California: Ulysses Press. pp. 62, 80. ISBN 978-1-61243-225-0.
  32. ^ Moskowitz, Isa Chandra; Romero, Terry Hope (2009). Vegan Cookies Invade Your Cookie Jar: 100 Dairy-Free Recipes for Everyone's Favorite Treats. Da Capo Press. p. 60. ISBN 9780786746040.
  33. ^ US patent 4230238A, Warren Wilson, "Funnel pitcher enabling batter to be prepared and poured into a cooking utensil", issued 1980-10-28, assigned to J & J SNACK FOODS CORP 6000 CENTRAL HIGHWAY  Archived 2020-02-29 at the Wayback Machine
  34. ^ US patent 6123980A, Thomas N. Pearson, Mary J. Schaefer, Bryan C. Tungland; Mary J. Schaefer & Bryan C. Tungland, "Preparing granulated sugar blends and products", issued 2000-09-26, assigned to Savannah Foods and Industries Inc and Imperial Sugar Co  Archived 2020-01-06 at the Wayback Machine
  35. ^ US application/patent 6280751B1, Jane Clarissa Fletcher, Michael James Hargreaves Riley & Michael James Hargreaves Riley, "Essential oil composition", issued 2001-08-28, assigned to Jane Clarissa Fletcher and Michael James Hargreaves Riley  Archived 2019-04-29 at the Wayback Machine
  36. ^ US application 20060286277A1, Andranik Masihi, "Method for making a spice sugar cube", assigned to Masihi Andranik V  Archived 2020-03-16 at the Wayback Machine
  37. ^ Horstmann, Virginia (2015). Sugar, Cinnamon, and Love: More Than 70 Elegant Cakes, Pies, Tarts, and Cookies Made Easy. United States: Skyhorse Publishing, Inc. p. 144. ISBN 978-1-6322-0671-8.
  38. ^ Fertig, Judith (2012). I Love Cinnamon Rolls!. Kansas City, Missouri: Andrews McMeel Publishing. pp. xiii, 16, 27, 28, 31. ISBN 978-1-4494-2069-7.
  39. ^ Schiller, Pamela Byrne; Silberg, Jackie (2003). The Complete Book of Activities, Games, Stories, Props, Recipes, and Dances for Young Children. Beltsville, Maryland: Gryphon House, Inc. p. 264. ISBN 978-0-87659-280-9.
  40. ^ Renea, Amy (2016). Crafting with Nature: Grow Or Gather Your Own Supplies for Simple Handmade Crafts, Gifts & Recipes. Salem, Massachusetts: Page Street Publishing. p. 162. ISBN 978-1-6241-4198-0.
  41. ^ Tregellas, Mary (2012). Homemade Preserves & Jams: Over 90 Recipes for Luscious Jams, Tangy Marmalades, Crunchy Chutneys, and More. New York, New York: St. Martin's Press. pp. 37, 55, 98, 140, 142. ISBN 978-1-2500-0446-8.
  42. ^ Kilma, Edward S.; Bellugi, Ursula (1979). The Signs of Language. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press. p. 11. ISBN 978-0-674-80796-9.
  43. ^ Siddiq, M; Kelkar, S; Harte, J.B.; Dolan, K.D.; Nyombaire, G (2013), "Functional properties of flour from low-temperature extruded navy and pinto beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)", LWT – Food Science and Technology, 50 (1): 215–219, doi:10.1016/j.lwt.2012.05.024
  44. ^ Bake for Good: Kids Learn Bake Share (PDF), King Arthur Flour, archived (PDF) from the original on January 9, 2016, retrieved November 1, 2018
  45. ^ Admani, Shela; Hill, Hannah; Jacob, Sharon E. (2016), "Cinnamon Sugar Scrub Dermatitis: "Natural" Is Not Always Best", Pediatric Dermatology, 34 (1): e42–e43, doi:10.1111/pde.12994, PMID 27699851, S2CID 206259838
  46. ^ Shields, Janet (1994), "Why We Can't See New York From San Diego: Visibility for Kids, Part 1", Optics & Photonics News, 5 (1): 66, Bibcode:1994OptPN...5...66S, doi:10.1364/OPN.5.1.000066, archived from the original on 2019-12-21, retrieved 2018-11-01
  47. ^ Westerfield, Nancy Gillespie (1976), "Another Schumann's Clara", College English, 38 (4): 421, doi:10.2307/376430, JSTOR 376430
  48. ^ Vavra, Mel (2001), "Pop Tarts Revisited", Mosaic, 24: 421, hdl:1811/61570
  49. ^ Muellers, Manfred (2011), "Is Classical Cuisine still a selling point in upmarket restaurants in South Africa?" (PDF), African Journal of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure, 1 (3): 3, archived (PDF) from the original on 2022-09-26, retrieved 2018-11-01