Microwave Simple Syrup with Cinnamon Basil
Sneak Preview: Microwave Simple Syrup is a sweet, simple syrup recipe flavored with cinnamon basil and cooked in a microwave. Pour it over fresh fruit for a remarkable taste experience!
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Do you grow fresh herbs? Whether growing them in your kitchen window, pots on your patio, or a full-blown garden, I have an easy way to use some of that basil.
This summer, I experimented with growing cinnamon basil. Until now, the purpose of cinnamon basil was unknown to me. I had no idea what to do with the aromatic herb, but I may have found it.
This weekend I made shortcakes as part of my Baking with the Tuesdays with Dorie group. Her Tender Shortbread recipe from Baking called for plain, granulated white sugar to sweeten the berries.
Dorie’s recommendation gave me the idea to make sugar syrup using the microwave. Then, I steeped some of the cinnamon basil in the syrup as it cooled. Although simple, it adds a subtle but exciting flavor note to the berries. No worries if you can’t find cinnamon basil. Sweet basil works, too.
Happy Cooks Speak Up
“So I made this last year and it was fabulous!!! =) I just made my first batch of the year while eating a pear. I drizzled a few drops of the simple syrup on my pear and and it was over the top.” –ANGELIQUE
Ingredients and Substitutions
- SUGAR: Use granulated sugar. It will dissolve when you microwave it in water.
- FRESH BASIL LEAVES: Fresh basil is important in this recipe. If you want to stick with the cinnamon theme, use sweet or cinnamon basil. Because cinnamon basil isn’t as strong (at least to my nose), I use a cup of cinnamon basil instead of 1/2 cup of sweet basil.
- CINNAMON STICK: Cinnamon sticks are adorable floating in the syrup. Substitute cinnamon extract if you don’t have the sticks. I don’t recommend ground cinnamon because of its appearance. I’m afraid it would look like dirt in my syrup.
Microwave Simple Syrup with Cinnamon and Basil FAQ
Fresh mint or any variety of basil is a possibility.
Be sure to use a microwave-safe bowl to make this syrup in the microwave. Look at the bottom of the bowl to make sure. Sugar syrup gets extremely hot. Never use a plastic container to heat this syrup.
Heat the syrup on top of the stove until boiling. Then, proceed with the directions in the recipe.
Store in the refrigerator for up to one month.
Add it to iced tea, lemonade, or over the top of fresh fruit, as seen in the picture above.
The leaves tend to blacken when stored in the fridge. Freezing is an option you can read about here.
Parting Thoughts: The recipe is simple. Finding cinnamon basil when needed might be the hardest part of this recipe. Or use plain basil and cinnamon sticks. If you have lots of basil, consider these recipes: Tomato Basil Bread Mixed in a Bread Machine, and Smoked Turkey, Pepper Jack cheese, and Basil Panini.
Help at Your Fingertips: For questions or suggestions, email Paula at saladinajar.com. If you need help, I’m happy to troubleshoot via email (faster than leaving a comment). Attach pictures and as many details as possible for the best advice.
Microwave Simple Syrup Recipe with Cinnamon and Basil
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Ingredients
- ½ cup (100 g) sugar
- ¼ cup (57 g) water
- 1 cup (24 g) fresh cinnamon basil leaves
- 1 cinnamon stick
Instructions
- Heat sugar and water in 2 cup or larger Pyrex MICROWAVE-SAFE bowl in the microwave to boiling. Stop and stir until sugar has dissolved.
- Add leaves and cinnamon stick, pushing under the surface of the syrup to steep.
- After 30 minutes, remove leaves. Pour cooled syrup over fruit.
Equipment
Nutrition
All images and text ©️ Paula Rhodes for Salad in a Jar.com
Paula Rhodes, owner
As a retired home economist, I created Saladinajar.com to share my belief that you don’t have to be a chef to find joy in creating homemade food worth sharing. Bread machines (used in an unconventional way), homemade yogurt, and quick microwave recipes are my specialty.