Cinnamon Roll Syrup

5 from 2 votes

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You came for Cinnamon Roll Syrup, and this one earns a permanent spot in your breakfast lineup. It pours smooth, hits with warm cinnamon flavor, and has that buttery brown sugar richness that makes pancakes suddenly feel like a big deal. It’s fast, dependable, and tastes like the center of a cinnamon roll in sauce form. Yes please.

Fresh waffles with blueberries, syrup, and cinnamon sticks on a white table.


 

Ingredient Notes + Variations

This cinnamon roll syrup leans on pantry basics and turns them into something bold and cozy in minutes. Brown sugar brings depth, butter adds richness, and cinnamon does its thing.

  • Vanilla extract – rounds everything out and adds warmth at the end.
  • Light brown sugar – gives that classic cinnamon roll flavor and deep caramel sweetness. Dark brown sugar works for a stronger molasses note.
  • Water – loosens everything into a pourable syrup that thickens as it simmers.
  • Salted butter – adds richness and balances the sweetness. Unsalted butter works, just add a pinch of salt.
  • Ground cinnamon – the star flavor. Adjust slightly to taste if you want it extra cozy.
Overhead view of small bowls containing water, vanilla extract, light brown sugar, cinnamon, and salted butter—ingredients for a delicious Cinnamon Roll Syrup—each labeled with black text boxes.

How to Make Cinnamon Roll Syrup

This cinnamon roll syrup comes together quickly on the stovetop. A short simmer thickens the sugar mixture, then butter melts in for a glossy finish.

Step 1: Simmer Sugar + Water

Combine brown sugar and water in a medium pot over medium high heat. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a steady simmer and cook for about 4 minutes until slightly thickened.

Step 2: Add Butter

Lower the heat and whisk in the butter one piece at a time. Keep whisking until fully melted and smooth.

Step 3: Finish with Cinnamon + Vanilla Extract

Remove from heat and stir in cinnamon and vanilla extract. The mixture will bubble up when the vanilla extract goes in. That’s normal.

Tips for Success

  • Use a medium pot with higher sides to handle bubbling.
  • Whisk the butter in slowly for a smooth texture.
  • Let the syrup sit for a few minutes to thicken slightly before serving.
  • Rewarm gently on the stove or in the microwave if it thickens too much.
Three rectangular waffles stacked on a plate, topped and surrounded by a generous amount of dark brown syrup. More waffles are visible in the background.

What to Serve with Cinnamon Roll Syrup

This cinnamon roll syrup brings big flavor with very little effort. Keep it in your back pocket for mornings that need something extra. The printable recipe card is below. Have a wonderful day, friends!

A hand pours cinnamon roll syrup from a white pitcher onto a stack of waffles on a white plate, with more waffles on a plate in the background.

Cinnamon Roll Syrup

Katie Cooksey
This Cinnamon Roll Syrup is sweet and buttery and tastes SO similar to a cinnamon roll! Perfect for waffles or pancakes.
5 from 2 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Servings 2 cups of syrup
Calories 1254 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • 2 cups packed light brown sugar
  • 1 1/4 cups water
  • 1/2 cup salted butter cut into pats
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

Instructions
 

  • Measure brown sugar and water into a medium pot and place over medium high heat. Bring to boil and reduce heat to a moderate simmer and cook 4 minutes.
  • Turn burner to low and whisk in butter, 1 pat at a time until completely melted. Remove from heat and stir in cinnamon and vanilla {mixture will bubble violently with the addition of vanilla fyi}.
  • Serve warm over waffles or pancakes.

Video

Notes

Storage Instructions

Store cooled syrup in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 1 week. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave until warm and pourable.
Freeze in a freezer safe container up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat before serving.
Make ahead by preparing fully and storing in the refrigerator, then reheating when ready to serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 1254kcalCarbohydrates: 218gProtein: 1gFat: 46gSaturated Fat: 29gCholesterol: 122mgSodium: 475mgPotassium: 293mgFiber: 1gSugar: 214gVitamin A: 1418IUCalcium: 216mgIron: 2mg
Keyword Cinnamon Roll Syrup
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Variations

  • Add a splash of heavy cream at the end for a creamier texture.
  • Stir in a pinch of nutmeg for extra warmth.
  • Swap half the brown sugar for maple syrup for a maple cinnamon version.

More Breakfast Recipes to Try

If you make this recipe, I would really appreciate it if you would give it a star rating and leave your review in the comments! If you have a picture of your finished dish, post it on Instagram using the hashtag #laurenslatest and tagging me @laurens_latest.

5 from 2 votes

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Recipe Rating




26 Responses
  1. Joanne

    Will the butter separate from this once cooled? I would like to make it and give as Christmas gifts. Doesn’t look quite as appetizing with a chunk of hardened butter on top.

  2. Easiest Belgian Waffle Recipe | Lauren's Latest

    […] it from me when I say you too can make beautiful, delicious, thick Belgian waffles too. Of course Homemade Cinnamon Roll Syrup never hurt the cause […]

  3. Maegan Gardner Hemphill

    This was so delicious! Is there anything I can do to make it thicker? Mine was a very watery consistency. Thank you!

  4. Rachelle

    My three year old daughter loves this syrup! She won’t eat her pancakes without it. It makes any pancake recipe taste just like cinnamon rolls. Thank you for sharing!

  5. Jolene Snyder

    Just made this, thank you for the recipe, it was amazing! I was wondering should you refrigerate it to store it or keep it at room temperature? How long is its shelf life? Thank you again!

  6. Tiffany

    When you reheat the syrup, what method do you use to reheat and do you reheat the whole jar or pour some out to reheat? I’m making this along with your instant pancake mix for my son’s preschool teachers for a Christmas gift and want to put instructions on the jar for them 🙂 Thank you!

    1. Lauren

      I would add it to some hot water on the stove or even hot tap water to slowly warm through. If there is metal on your jar, I wouldn’t recommend microwaving it.

  7. Candice

    Hi. Just wondering where you got the adorable jars for the pancake mix and if you have any ideas on where to purchase bottles for the syrup. I think this would be a great Christmas gift. Thank you so much for all the wonderful recipes and sharing your sweet family. Love it. It just brightens the day. God Bless and wishing you and loved ones a Blessed Christmas.

  8. Meghan

    Oh this sounds dreamy. I have a 5 year old so I totally get how disastrous it is to run out of syrup. Funny how crazy those little humans can get over things.

  9. Heather

    Shayna! Maybe you’ll see this shoutout on your sisters blog. I’ve been working on the fair this year and have been remembering (drooling) over the thought of the sugar cookies you demonstrated last year. You and your sister must have some pretty amazing culinary genes running around. You are amazing!

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