Cinnamon is one of the most celebrated spices in the world. Western cultures use cinnamon to flavor baked goods, puddings, candies and cereals. European countries use it to season soups, sauces, meats and pasta dishes. Asian cultures use the entire plant.
This spice is made from processed pieces of bark. The bark curls as it dries giving cinnamon sticks their distinctive shape. The aroma of cinnamon is so recognizable you can usually pick it out from among many scents. Cinnamon gets its scent from the essential oils found in the bark. These oils are used in cooking, freshening the air, medicine and even toothpaste and breath fresheners.
As a warm spice, this blends well with other warm spices like nutmeg, allspice and ginger. But cinnamon doesn’t stop there. It works equally well with sugar and the pepper family.
I feel Saigon Cinnamon has a more intense flavor than other bark from that region.
Here’s a recipe that let’s cinnamon shine!
Cinnamon Roll Waffles
Ingredients
1/2 cup kamut or whole wheat flour
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup milk
2 eggs, beaten
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1 Tablespoon milk
Directions
Heat waffle iron, grease with spray as needed.
Pour 1 cup milk into a bowl and set aside to reach room temperature. The milk can’t be cold or your butter will gel, too hot and you will start to cook the eggs!
Mix together flours, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon set aside.
Mix milk, eggs, butter and vanilla in a separate bowl.
Add wet ingredients to dry ones and mix well. Set aside for a few minutes to activate the leavening.
Mix together powdered sugar and Tablespoon milk. Set aside to top waffles.
Cook waffles until both sides brown.
Remove drizzle with glaze.
