🥒 Cinnamon Pickles
The Perfect Way to Use Overgrown Cucumbers!
📌 In This Article
🥒 The Cinnamon Pickle Story
"Well while I was caring for my mother, my cucumbers got out of hand. One was as big as a zucchini. So I made cinnamon pickles!!!"
Life happens. You step away for a few days, and your cucumbers go crazy. One was literally the size of a zucchini!
But instead of letting them go to waste, I made cinnamon pickles. It's a 4-day process — but let me tell you, they are soooo worth it!!!
💬 The process: "It’s a long, 4-day process buuuuutttt!!!! They are soooo worth it!!!!"
A 5-gallon bucket of overgrown cucumbers turned into 16 pints of sweet, spicy, cinnamon goodness. Plus the 45 I ate before I started canning because I couldn't help myself. Mmmmm, soooo good!!!
💬 The result: "I’m so glad, that I ate like 45 before I started canning them, (mmmmm soooo good!!!) or I would have needed more jars!!!"
📅 The 4-Day Process
Day-by-Day Breakdown
🥒Day 1
Soak cucumbers in lime water overnight
Day 2
Rinse and soak in fresh water
Day 3
Make syrup and soak pickles
Day 4
Can them!
4 Days = 16 Pints of Delicious Cinnamon Pickles!
📦 Ingredients
🥒 For the Pickles
- 🥒 Overgrown cucumbers – As many as you have!
- 🧂 1 cup pickling lime – (Calcium hydroxide)
- 💧 1 gallon water – For soaking
🍬 For the Syrup
- 🍬 8 cups sugar
- 🍋 1 quart white vinegar – 5% acidity
- 💧 1 cup water
- 🌿 1 tbsp cinnamon – Ground
- 🌿 1 tsp cloves – Ground
- 🍬 Red food coloring – Optional, for color
🍬 For the Final Syrup
- 🍬 2 cups sugar
- 💧 2 cups water
- 🍋 1/2 cup vinegar
- 🌿 Cinnamon sticks – 1 per jar (optional)
💡 Pro tip: "Use overgrown cucumbers — they're perfect for this recipe!"
📝 Step-by-Step Instructions
Day 1 – Soak in Lime Water
Step 1 – Prep the Cucumbers
- Wash and slice cucumbers into 1/2-inch thick slices.
- Remove any large seeds if necessary.
Step 2 – Make Lime Water
- In a large glass or ceramic container, combine 1 cup pickling lime and 1 gallon water.
- Stir until the lime is dissolved.
⚠️ Important: "Use glass or ceramic — lime can react with metal containers."
Step 3 – Soak
- Add the cucumber slices to the lime water.
- Cover and let soak for 24 hours.
Day 2 – Rinse and Soak
Step 4 – Rinse Well
- Drain the cucumbers in a colander.
- Rinse thoroughly with cold water.
- Rinse at least 4-5 times to remove all lime.
💡 Pro tip: "Rinse well — any remaining lime can make the pickles bitter."
Step 5 – Fresh Water Soak
- Cover the rinsed cucumbers with fresh cold water.
- Soak for 3-4 hours.
- Drain and repeat the soak 2-3 times.
Day 3 – Make the Syrup
Step 6 – Make the First Syrup
- In a large pot, combine 8 cups sugar, 1 quart vinegar, 1 cup water, cinnamon, and cloves.
- Bring to a boil, stirring until sugar dissolves.
- Add red food coloring if desired.
Step 7 – Soak in Syrup
- Drain the cucumbers and add to the hot syrup.
- Let soak for 24 hours.
Day 4 – Can Them!
Step 8 – Prepare for Canning
- Prepare your water bath canner, jars, and lids.
- Sterilize jars and lids in boiling water for 10 minutes.
- Keep jars hot until ready to fill.
Step 9 – Make Final Syrup
- In a pot, combine 2 cups sugar, 2 cups water, and 1/2 cup vinegar.
- Bring to a boil, stirring until sugar dissolves.
Step 10 – Pack the Jars
- Drain the pickles from the syrup.
- Pack the pickles into hot jars.
- Add a cinnamon stick to each jar (optional).
- Pour the hot final syrup over the pickles.
- Leave 1/2 inch headspace.
- Remove air bubbles, wipe rims, add lids and rings.
Step 11 – Process in Water Bath
- Process in a boiling water bath for 15 minutes.
- Remove jars and cool on a dishtowel.
💡 Pro tip: "Listen for that satisfying 'pop' — that's the sound of a perfect seal!"
Step 12 – Enjoy!
- Check seals after 24 hours.
- Store in a cool, dark place for up to 1 year.
- Open a jar and enjoy your cinnamon pickles!
💡 Pro tip: "They are soooo worth it!!!!"
🥫 How to Store
- 🏠 Pantry: Up to 1 year in a cool, dark place
- 🧊 Refrigerator after opening: Use within 1 month
- 🥒 Best served: Cold, straight from the jar!
💡 Pro tip: "Label your jars with the date so you know when they were canned."
💡 Pro Tips
- 🥒 Use overgrown cucumbers: They're perfect for this recipe.
- 🧂 Rinse thoroughly: Any remaining lime can make the pickles bitter.
- 🌿 Use fresh spices: It makes a big difference in flavor.
- 🍬 Don't skip the 4 days: It's essential for the perfect texture.
- 🫙 Use new lids: Old lids may not seal properly.
- 🏷️ Label everything: Date and contents on every jar.
- 😋 Eat some before canning: They're too good to resist!
💡 Pro tip: "I ate like 45 before I started canning them — mmmmm soooo good!!!"
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Can I use regular cucumbers?
Yes, but overgrown cucumbers work best for this recipe.
❓ Why do I need pickling lime?
It keeps the cucumbers crisp during the long soaking process.
❓ Can I skip the food coloring?
Yes, the pickles will be brownish without it.
❓ How long do these last?
Up to 1 year when properly canned and stored.
❓ Can I water bath can these?
Yes! 15 minutes in a boiling water bath.
❓ What do they taste like?
Sweet, spicy, and cinnamony — like a candied pickle!
❓ Can I reduce the sugar?
It's not recommended — the sugar is essential for the texture.
❓ Why do I need to soak for 4 days?
It's essential for the perfect sweet, crisp texture.
❓ Can I add other spices?
Yes! Allspice or nutmeg are great additions.
❓ Will I ever waste overgrown cucumbers again?
Probably not! This recipe is a game-changer.
📄 Printable Recipe Card
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║ CINNAMON PICKLES ║
║ The Perfect Way to Use Overgrown Cucumbers! ║
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YIELD: 16 pints | TIME: 4 Days | PROCESS: 15 min
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INGREDIENTS
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- Overgrown cucumbers
- 1 cup pickling lime
- 1 gallon water
FIRST SYRUP:
- 8 cups sugar
- 1 quart white vinegar
- 1 cup water
- 1 tbsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp cloves
- Red food coloring (optional)
FINAL SYRUP:
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 cups water
- 1/2 cup vinegar
- Cinnamon sticks (1 per jar)
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INSTRUCTIONS
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DAY 1: Soak sliced cucumbers in lime water for 24 hours.
DAY 2: Rinse thoroughly 4-5 times. Soak in fresh water 3-4 hours.
Repeat 2-3 times.
DAY 3: Make first syrup. Boil cucumbers in syrup. Soak 24 hours.
DAY 4: Make final syrup. Pack pickles into hot jars.
Add cinnamon stick. Pour hot syrup over.
Process in water bath for 15 minutes.
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4 DAYS = PERFECTION! 🥒
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"A 5-gallon bucket made 16 pints + what I ate!!!
They are soooo worth it!!!!" ❤️
© CanningRebels — Cinnamon Pickles
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