How to Make Hot Cinnamon Tooth Picks by Infusing

When I was growing up one of my favorite things to make were cinnamon toothpicks.  We would buy the oil and make our own.  All the kids loved them.  Here is a tutorial on how to make these flavored toothpicks.  They make nice party favors as well as handing out to the older children at Halloween.  You could do this same thing with hot peppers for a gag gift.  But remember paybacks are 10 times worse!  After making these it sure brought back the good ole times!  I am not sure where you even buy these retail.  I live in a small town and have never seen them.  I found one place here that sold the oil and it was at an Independent drug store.  The herb store here did not have the oil.  

WARNING: The oil is hot and care must be used while handling this product and storing it way from the children!

Step 1: Supplies

This is what you will need:

• Round toothpicks.
• 1Small glass vial or wide mouth glass jar
• Cinnamon oil, or Mint oil
• Stickers
• Scotch tape
• Scissors
• Plate
• Wax paper
• Altoids can
• 1 More mini tall thin glass vial or plastic sterilized medicine bottle
• Stapler 

Please note: The pharmacist told me not to soak the cinnamon in a plastic jar.  He also mentioned not to place wet toothpicks into the plastic jars for storing.  You may store the toothpicks in the plastic jars IF they are dry.   

Step 2: Soaking the Tooth Picks

Instructions for soaking:

• Pour a very small amount of the flavored oil into the bottom of a glass jar.
• Place the tooth picks in the jar.
• Seal with the lid.
• Let them soak over night.
• While they are soaking you can decorate the Altoids can.

Please note: The toothpicks act as a wick and that is how they are flavored.  

Step 3: Decorating the Altoids Can

Instructions:

• Trace the lid on construction paper.
• Cut out the shape.
• Tape it to the can.
• Decorate it with the stickers.

Step 4: Make the Bag

Instructions for making the bag:
If you will not be using a jar to put the finished toothpicks in you may make a wax bag like this:

• Simply tear off a strip of wax paper.
• Fold it double strength.
• Fold it into 1/3's  to form a match book cover.  When you fold it,  it will form the bottom.
• Tape the seam secure.
• Place the finished toothpicks into the bag.
• Turn down the flap.
• Add a label, sticker, and/or bow.
• Staple it closed.

Step 5: Drying the Tooth Picks

Instructions for drying the toothpicks:

• Place a napkin on a plate.
• After soaking the toothpicks over night remove them from the jar and spread them out on the napkin to dry.
• Allow to dry until there are no drops or oil on the toothpicks.
• If after a few hours and they are not dry, pat them with a napkin.
• Place them into a small tall thin glass jar.  Glass is best but plastic will work.  
• Or you may make a wax paper bag and put them in that.  

Please note:  I did not add a napkin to mine until after they dried a while.  Then I added the napkin and blotted as needed.

Step 6: Sunshiine's Final Thoughts.

I have been chewing on these cinnamon sticks all day!  They are really good.  I am very pleased how they turned out and can't wait to have them for my guest.  I made some to hand out for Halloween.  I might put a few of these in the mail for some of my family and friends to enjoy.  I hope this tutorial has inspired you to make some.  You can use just about any kind of flavoring for these. Some might not be quite as strong but they would still be a good addition.  

Thank you for stopping by and please do come back very soon.  I have more tutorials lined up for Halloween.  Take care and have a Happy and safe Halloween!
sunshiine 

Comments

[VickieM30]

My brother started making these and selling them when he was 13 years old. He sold them 2 for a nickel. Made a nice profit. He sold them to so many people. It was in the 70’s. The hippies were going strong at that time and he made a hefty profit. He is now 63 years old so seeing this really takes me down memory lane.

[CobraTester]

Growing up, cinnamon toothpicks from the truckstop were summer road trip STAPLES in my family! But I haven't seen them around in years to share with my kids.

[sunshiine]

Thanks for sharing~ Hopefully you will make some to share with them. they are very different and tasty~ Have a safe and happy summer~
sunshiine

[pierogi]

I remember these from Jr. High in the early '60's. We just put the toothpicks in the bottle and let them soak. We sold them for 10 cents. Of course, the longer they soaked the stronger they became. After a few days they were painful. To 12 year olds, that just made them more attractive.

[CobraTester]

Nice! I just saw a recipe for peppermint rock candy....which could easily be changed to cinnamon, and I think a fair amount of cinnamon oil would be PERFECT....maybe a mix of some normal and some ulta hot mixed in around work, for people to be surprized with.

[sunshiine]

Thanks for sharing! I loved the heat! Sunshiine

[Chloe Anderson]

If you do not have time to make your own cinnamon toothpicks you can buy real Ceylon cinnamon toothpicks from http://www.cinnamonfresh.com/

[una_amor]

Scraped some knee skin from falling...just trying to chase the icecream man down who sold these. No more chasing that mean ol' truck. I think he did it on purpous. LOL
Thanks for the instructions. Great Job!

[sunshiine]

I am really chuckling about your comment! That is sooo funny! Thanks so much for sharing and have a super day!
Sunshiine

[Gary Viveiros]

I remember in Elementary School, one kid brought a few cinnamon toothpicks from home and he held a contest to see who could keep it under the tongue the longest. Man, I remembered the sting of intense Cinnamon, and the tears coming to the eyes as young tastebuds were anxiously trying to get me to not keep it in the mouth any longer. Ahhhh, another stupid thing to cross-off the 'bucket list'.

[sunshiine]

LOL, does placing them under the tongue make them much hotter? I have not heard of that before. I am not sure I would want to try that! They can make your eyes burn but oh they are so good! I have a high tolerance to hot stuff although one year we grew some peppers that even I could not eat. I have no idea what kind they were but there has never been a hot pepper I could not eat until that one year I tried these. Sure wished I knew what kind they were. I want to stay away from them LOL. Thanks for sharing and have a Happy Halloween!
Sunshiine

[Creativeman]

Wow! I did this about 60 years ago. This is absolutely the first time I have thought about this in all this time . Isn't that amazing! Thanks for posting it.

[sunshiine]

Thanks for commenting! Have a super day!
Sunshiine

[Creativeman]

Hi sunshiine: Curiously, I was looking at your avatar picture and something rang a bell, i.e., that sign looked familiar to me for some reason. I thought about it and then remembered that I had a picture of that very sign...I had gone through that part of Oregon in 1981 I believe. Anyway, thought you might enjoy the attached picture. I grew up in a small town in that part of Oregon.

[sunshiine]

Kewl! Yes, it is a small world. Oregon is beautiful country! My picture was taken about 8 years ago while we were visiting that area. Thanks for sharing! Sunshiine

[kthompson1]

I always LOVED cinnamon toothpicks! We used to store them in a metal Sucrets can. And I remember having to go up to the pharmacy counter to buy the cinnamon oil. Thanks for the memories!

[sunshiine]

Thanks so much for sharing! I enjoyed them so much. It is amazing how food can spark those childhood memories! Have a super day!
Sunshiine