🌿 Spices & Herbs

Cinnamon Stick vs Ground Substitutes: Complete Guide

Learn how to substitute between cinnamon sticks and ground cinnamon. Get proper ratios, techniques, and tips for perfect form substitution every time.

✓

Quick Answer

For cinnamon stick to ground substitution, use 1 stick = 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon. For ground to stick substitution, use 1/2 tsp ground = 1 stick. Adjust based on your recipe needs.

Best Substitutes

Ground Cinnamon (from stick)

1 stick = 1/2 tsp ground

Ground cinnamon made from grinding cinnamon sticks. Perfect substitute for most applications.

Best for:

cookingbakingwhen you want ground formwhen you have cinnamon sticks

Grind cinnamon stick to powder for ground cinnamon. Use 1 stick per 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon needed.

Cinnamon Stick (from ground)

1/2 tsp ground = 1 stick

Cinnamon stick used in place of ground cinnamon. Good substitute for most applications.

Best for:

cookingwhen you want whole formwhen you have ground cinnamoninfusions

Use cinnamon stick in place of ground cinnamon. Use 1 stick per 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon needed.

Ground Nutmeg (from stick)

1 stick = 1/2 tsp ground

Ground nutmeg made from grinding nutmeg. Good substitute for ground cinnamon applications.

Best for:

cookingbakingwhen you want ground formwhen you have nutmeg

Grind nutmeg to powder for ground form. Use 1 stick per 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon needed.

Ground Allspice (from stick)

1 stick = 1/2 tsp ground

Ground allspice made from grinding allspice. Good substitute for ground cinnamon applications.

Best for:

cookingbakingwhen you want ground formwhen you have allspice

Grind allspice to powder for ground form. Use 1 stick per 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon needed.

Ground Cardamom (from stick)

1 stick = 1/2 tsp ground

Ground cardamom made from grinding cardamom. Good substitute for ground cinnamon applications.

Best for:

cookingbakingwhen you want ground formwhen you have cardamom

Grind cardamom to powder for ground form. Use 1 stick per 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon needed.

Cooking Tips

💡For cinnamon stick to ground substitution, grind the stick to powder for best results
💡For ground to stick substitution, use the stick whole and remove before serving
💡Cinnamon sticks release flavor more slowly than ground cinnamon, so adjust cooking time accordingly
💡Common form substitution mistakes: wrong ratios, not grinding fine enough, leaving sticks in too long
💡For best form substitution results, taste and adjust based on your specific recipe needs

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I substitute cinnamon stick for ground cinnamon?

Yes, use 1 cinnamon stick per 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon needed. Remove the stick before serving or eating.

Can I substitute ground cinnamon for cinnamon stick?

Yes, use 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon per 1 cinnamon stick needed. Add directly to your recipe.

What's the difference between cinnamon stick and ground cinnamon?

Cinnamon stick is the whole bark, while ground cinnamon is the powdered form. Ground cinnamon releases flavor faster and is easier to measure.

Why doesn't my form substitution work right?

Common issues include wrong ratios, not grinding fine enough, or leaving sticks in too long. To fix this, use the correct ratios and adjust based on your recipe.

How do I grind cinnamon sticks?

Use a spice grinder or mortar and pestle to grind cinnamon sticks to powder. Grind until fine for best results.

Summary

Learn how to substitute between cinnamon sticks and ground cinnamon. Get proper ratios, techniques, and tips for perfect form substitution every time.