Cinnamon Dolce Syrup (for Latte, Cider, Pancakes, & More!)

Cinnamon Dolce Syrup is an easy, homemade, 5-minute recipe that's perfect for creating an all-natural copycat of a Starbucks Cinnamon Dolce Latte or Caramel Apple Spice Cider...and it doubles as a delicious topping for pancakes, waffles, ice cream, and more!

If there's anything I require to get going on a Monday morning, it's a big mug of coffee. Now I don't necessarily drink a ton of coffee...just enough to wake me up. Because there's something about that first cup of jo that helps clear the morning brain fog and enables me to greet my family with something more pleasant than a growl. (You're welcome, dear husband and sweet children.)

I have to admit, however, that when it comes to coffee, I'm a frou-frou girl. I wish I could claim to be a cool, legit grown-up who drinks it black. But the truth is, that tastes like tar to me. This girl needs milk and sugar, man...and preferably some flavoring to give my morning coffee a Starbucks latte-esque boost...like this delectable Cinnamon Dolce Syrup!

Awhile back I shared the recipe for my All-Natural Homemade Vanilla Coffee Creamer, which is comprised of milk, cream, maple syrup, and vanilla extract in lieu of artificial ingredients or icky preservatives. It's good stuff, and a staple in my refrigerator. But sometimes vanilla feels a little ho-hum and I like to jazz things up a bit with some different flavors.

Cinnamon Dolce Syrup Inspiration

This here homemade Cinnamon Dolce Syrup totally fits the bill! Especially in the fall and winter months when I'm already incorporating this warm spice into all of my baking.

Have you ever had a Cinnamon Dolce Latte at Starbucks? Well, this syrup is a perfect copycat of the bottled syrup they use to make that drink.

Now I don't get all fancy with steaming and foaming my milk and such. I just fill my coffee mug with half (strong) coffee and half milk, and then I pour in some Cinnamon Docle Syrup, to taste. If I'm feeling really decadent, I may even stir in a spoonful of my beloved 5-Minute, 5-Ingredient Homemade Caramel Sauce, and then top the whole shebang with some homemade whipped cream. Because if cinnamon is good, cinnamon + caramel + whipped cream is even better. (Told you I was frou-frou.)

Ingredients

You only need FOUR simple ingredients to whip up your very own batch of Cinnamon Dolce Syrup, which is basically just a fancy name for cinnamon simple syrup:

• Water.
• Brown sugar. I use light brown sugar if I have it, but dark brown will work as well.
• Cinnamon. Obviously!
• Pure vanilla extract. Make sure it's the real stuff!

How to Make Cinnamon Dolce Syrup

(The below photos are intended to be helpful, but please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of this post for FULL DIRECTIONS.)

It's as easy to make this cinnamon syrup recipe as the ingredient list is short. 😉

1. In a medium saucepan set over high heat, combine the water, brown sugar, and cinnamon.

2. Whisk continuously until the sugar dissolves and the mixture comes to a boil.

3. Reduce the heat to a simmer and whisk for 5 minutes longer, or until the cinnamon syrup thickens.
4. Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the vanilla.

5. Transfer Cinnamon Dolce Syrup to a clean glass bottle or jar and allow to cool completely.

5. Cover and store in the refrigerator for up to one month. Enjoy!

Ways to Use Cinnamon Dolce Syrup

What's particularly fabulous about this Cinnamon Dolce Syrup is that it has a plethora of potential uses, including making drinklable treats for kids and adults alike.

• Use it to flavor coffee or turn into a Cinnamon Dolce Latte.
• Stir it into hot chocolate for a spin on Mexican hot chocolate.
• Stir it into apple cider for a copycat Starbucks Caramel Apple Cider.

However, this recipe is not just limited to enhancing beverages. It's also "syrupy" enough to drizzle as a topping! A few breakfast ideas that would be delicious with this gorgeous, cinnamon simple syrup generously poured on top...

• Whole Wheat Pumpkin Spice Waffles, Quick & Easy Pumpkin Oatmeal, Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal, or Overnight Slow Cooker Pumpkin Pie Steel Cut Oats.
• Apple Cinnamon Waffles, Apple Baked Oatmeal, or Overnight Slow Cooker Apple Steel Cut Oats.
• Gingerbread Pancakes, Whole Wheat Gingerbread Waffles, or Gingerbread Baked Oatmeal.
• Banana Pancakes, Quick & Easy Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal, or Banana Baked Oatmeal.
• Peach Baked Oatmeal or Peach German Pancake.

Yet breakfast foods need not have all the fun. Cinnamon Dolce Syrup would also make a yummy topping for a variety of desserts...

• Vanilla ice cream.
• Pound cake.
• Cheesecake.
• Bread pudding.
• Warm, fruity desserts, such as apple pie, grilled peaches, baked stuffed apples, or poached pears.

I can even envision it complementing a savory-sweet side dish of sweet potatoes or butternut squash!

It never hurts to think outside of the box, friends. 😉

So if you're looking for a way to spice up your coffee, you're just a few minutes away from a jar of sweet, warming, homemade Cinnamon Dolce Syrup!

And in case cinnamon is a flavor that you'd like to carry into other parts of your day, this recipe has got you covered...from breakfast right on through dessert.

It'll become your new favorite, versatile recipe. Enjoy, y'all!

More Homemade Syrups

• Homemade Strawberry Syrup
• {5-Minute, 5-Ingredient} Homemade Chocolate Syrup
• Homemade Lemon Syrup
• Eggnog Syrup

Cinnamon Dolce Syrup (for Latte, Cider, Pancakes, & More!)

Cinnamon Dolce Syrup is an easy, homemade, 5-minute recipe that's perfect for creating an all-natural copycat of a Starbucks' Cinnamon Dolce Latte or Caramel Apple Spice Cider...and it doubles as a delicious topping for pancakes, waffles, ice cream, and more!

By Samantha Skaggs

Course: Pantry Staples

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes minutes

Servings: 12 servings (makes 1 ¼ cups of syrup)

Calories: 71kcal

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Ingredients

• 1 cup water
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Instructions

• In a medium saucepan set over high heat, combine water, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Whisk continuously until sugar is dissolved and mixture comes to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and whisk for 5 minutes longer, or until syrup thickens.
• Remove pot from heat and stir in vanilla. Transfer syrup to a clean glass jar and allow to cool. Cover and store in the refrigerator for up to one month.

Notes

• Be sure your saucepan is deep enough to account for the bubbling syrup that will rise up the sides of the pan as it cooks.
• The Cinnamon Dolce Syrup will continue to thicken as it cools, and even more so once it's refrigerated. But even after chilling, it will remain a relatively thin syrup.
• This syrup may be stirred into coffee, apple cider, or coffee. It may be used to sweeten breakfast items such as pancakes, waffles, French toast, or baked oatmeal. Finally, it may be used to top ice cream, apple pie, baked apples, other fruit-based desserts, cheesecake, and even sweet potatoes!

Nutrition

Calories: 71kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 0.03g | Fat: 0.002g | Saturated Fat: 0.001g | Sodium: 6mg | Potassium: 26mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin A: 0.5IU | Vitamin C: 0.01mg | Calcium: 18mg | Iron: 0.1mg

Made this recipe? I'd love to see on IG!Mention @FiveHeartHome or tag #FiveHeartHome!

Post originally published on October 12, 2014 and updated on July 31, 2021, and September 16, 2024.