
One of my favorite things to do this time of year is to cozy up with a mug of hot cider, and these little cinnamon mulling sticks make spicing your cup a no-brainer. They’re so easy to make, too! I didn’t even get out my candy thermometer – they’re made in the microwave!

I have a great big list of make-and-givegoodies to share this year, and this is one of my favorites so far. These can be made a week ahead of time (in a non-humid environment) and they look extra cute packaged in cellophane bags or little boxes.

I made these in a silicone brownie mold, but you could use most any hard candy mold. You could even pour the candy on a baking sheet and use the cinnamon for a lollipop stick. I think these would make perfect stocking stuffers, and they only take about 6 1/2 minutes to make (!) so it won’t be a difficult project to fit into a busy holiday schedule.
Cinnamon Cider Sticks
These mulling sticks add plenty of cinnamon flavor and sweetness to plain apple cider. Be sure the cider you buy has no added sugar, otherwise it’ll be too sweet.
Yield: about 12 servings [click for printable recipe]
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1 dram cinnamon flavoring oil
1/2 teaspoon red food coloring
Cinnamon sticks
Cooking spray
Hard candy mold or heat proof silicone mold
- Spray candy mold with cooking spray and set aside.
- In a 4 cup glass measure, mix sugar and corn syrup together until a thick, uniform paste forms. Cover with plastic wrap. Microwave on high for 3 minutes 15 seconds. Quickly stir mixture and cover with a new piece of plastic wrap. Microwave for another 3 minutes 15 seconds – keep an eye on the mixture, the end result should be a slightly golden liquid. Remove from microwave and stir with a clean spoon. After the mixture stops boiling, add the food color and flavoring – be careful! Mixture will steam and sputter with these additions.
- Pour liquid candy into a prepared silicone or hard candy mold. Let stand for a few minutes then press a cinnamon stick into the candy so that it stands upright. If cinnamon sticks want to lean, prop them up by laying toothpicks or extra cinnamon sticks on either side. When candy has hardened, remove from molds and package in cellophane bags.
- To enjoy, pour 8 oz. hot apple cider in a mug and stir in a cinnamon stick.
- This recipe should be prepared in a standard household microwave (600-700 watts). Mini microwaves and commercial microwaves are not recommended.
- Please use caution when making this recipe. Candy mixture is extremely hot when in liquid state.

Supplies:
LorAnn Oils Cinnamon Oil – 1 dram
Wilton Petite Silicone 12 Cavity Heart Pan
Sounds good! I don't have a microwave though, do you know what temp to bring the mixture up to so I can do this on my stove?
This is a great idea for some little Xmas presents …..thanks a lot, have a nice weekend, hugs, Flavia
A marvelous idea!
Cheers,
Rosa
My dad loved mulled cider! You have given me a great gift idea for my dad. Thank you!
They are really adorable..
I ordered wafer paper because of your book and am looking forward to stamping cookies instead of hand painting..For a change..
Your little boxes are ideal.
What a fun idea!
Adorable! Thanks for those tips on keeping the cinnamon sticks standing straight. I wondered how I'd manage that! 🙂
Wowser! These look so cute!
Cute idea and looks delicious! We would love to have you link up to our Strut Your Stuff Saturday link party at sixsistersstuff.com. We hope to hear from you! -The Six Sisters
So beautiful!
marvelous idea
Going to make this as gifts for my friends, Where can I find the heart molds. thank you Mignonne
This is too cute! I would love to receive one of these… love to give it even more! Thank you!
Great idea! I love making gifts to give for the holidays.
I don't have a microwave, any ideas of how to make these without?
How adorable! I absolute love this idea!
Hi Mike!
302F on the stovetop and you'll be in business!
Angie, just bring the mixture to a boil in a saucepan until it reaches 302 degrees on a candy thermometer.
I'm adding a link to the heart mold, Mignonne – thanks for asking!
Oh my gosh I just love this!! Can't wait to try and make these!!
Christy
What a great idea! I definitely want to try these out; they would make a great gift! Thanks for the post!
These are so sweet! Love…
Fantastic holiday gift idea! Fun to serve at a bridal shower this season, too!
So fun and festive…love it!
Looks great and I bet it smells great too.
Did this on the stove, nearly had to throw it away outside because once I added the cinnamon oil it started erupting with caustic fumes. Will be much more careful next time, the house certainly does smell good!
Oh wow these look amazing!!!!
These sound fantastic & can't wait to try them out! Is 1 dram of cinnamon oil correct? That seems like a lot.
I just made these for our Christmas open house, they turned out so cute, I used a snowflake mold… Easiest candy I have ever made, once I found the cinnamon oil 🙂
I made these with some adaptations: 1. I replaced the white sugar with coconut sugar 2. I used brown rice syrup instead of corn syrup 3. I left out the food coloring 4. I added some powdered ginger, allspice, anise, and cloves 5. I used maybe 1/2 dram cinnamon oil and a drop of orange oil (would have preferred lemon, but I was out) 6. I used a different shaped mold Reiterating what was said above: BE CAREFUL OF THE FUMES. The cinnamon oil burned my throat, eyes, and skin, and the smell was really strong – I had to… Read more »