Creating beautiful, fragrant decorations for your home has never been simpler. This delightful cinnamon ornament recipe transforms just two ingredients into charming holiday keepsakes. Enjoy the cozy aroma filling your space as you craft these easy ornaments. They make wonderful gifts or perfect additions to your own festive decor, and are suitable for crafters of all ages.
Why You’ll Love This Cinnamon Ornament Recipe
This craft is truly a holiday favorite for many excellent reasons. You will adore making these homemade decorations year after year!
- Incredibly Easy: You only need two simple ingredients and basic kitchen tools to get started.
- Engaging Family Activity: It is a perfect project for kids and adults to enjoy together.
- Wonderful Aroma: Your home will smell like a warm, inviting spice shop during and after crafting.
- Durable Keepsakes: These ornaments last for years, becoming cherished mementos.
- Personalized Gifts: They make thoughtful, handmade presents for friends, teachers, and family.
- Rustic Beauty: The natural, earthy look perfectly complements any holiday decor style.
Easy Homemade Cinnamon Ornament Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 200°F (95°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Combine applesauce, cinnamon, and cloves in a bowl or mixer. Mix until a cohesive dough forms. Adjust with more cinnamon if sticky or applesauce if crumbly.
- Lightly dust your surface with cinnamon and roll the dough to about ¼ inch thick.
- Use cookie cutters to cut shapes and transfer them onto the prepared baking sheet.
- Use a skewer or toothpick to poke a small hanging hole near the top of each ornament.
- Bake for 1½–2 hours, or until hard. Let cool completely on a rack.
- Once cooled, thread ribbon or string through the holes and tie to create hangers.
- Decorate or hang on your Christmas tree, or use as gift tags or garlands.
Notes
Ingredients
Gather your supplies for this charming cinnamon ornament recipe! Simplicity is key, ensuring a fun and stress-free crafting experience.
- 1 cup applesauce: Choose unsweetened applesauce. Store-brand varieties work perfectly.
- 1-1 ¼ cup (130 grams) ground cinnamon: You will need a generous amount, so buying in bulk can be cost-effective.
- 1 tablespoon ground cloves (optional): This addition boosts the warm, spicy holiday aroma.
Notes & Substitutions
These ornaments are designed for decoration only; they are not edible. It’s important to remember that these ornaments are not for consumption, as even common cinnamon products have seen public health alerts regarding elevated lead levels. Always supervise children during crafting. Adjust the amount of cinnamon or applesauce slightly to achieve the perfect dough consistency. For varied scents, consider adding a pinch of ground ginger or nutmeg to your mixture.
Equipment
You likely have most of these common kitchen items already!
- Rolling pin: Ensures an even dough thickness.
- Holiday cookie cutters: Choose various festive shapes.
- Baking sheet pans: To hold ornaments during drying.
- Parchment paper: Prevents sticking to the pan.
- Toothpick or skewer: For creating holes for hanging.
- Decorative string or ribbon: To hang your finished creations.
- Stand mixer (optional): A hand-mixer or sturdy spoon works too.
Instructions
Follow these easy steps to create your beautiful homemade cinnamon ornaments. This cinnamon ornament recipe is beginner-friendly and so much fun!
- Prepare Oven: Preheat your oven to a very low temperature, 200°F (95°C). This gentle heat slowly dries the ornaments.
- Line Baking Sheet: Line a large baking sheet pan with parchment paper. This prevents the dough from sticking and makes cleanup easy.
- Combine Ingredients: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, combine the applesauce, 1 cup of ground cinnamon, and the ground cloves if you are using them.
- Form Dough: Mix until the ingredients come together and form a cohesive dough ball. The dough should not be overly sticky. If it is too sticky, add a little more cinnamon; if too crumbly, add a tiny bit more applesauce, one teaspoon at a time. You can also mix this dough easily by hand.
- Roll Dough: Lightly sprinkle a clean, flat work surface with extra ground cinnamon, just as you would use flour for cookie dough. Place the dough ball on the cinnamon-dusted surface and sprinkle more cinnamon on top. Use a rolling pin to roll the dough evenly to about ¼ inch thick, adding more cinnamon underneath and on top as needed to prevent sticking.
- Cut Shapes: Use your favorite holiday cookie cutters to cut out various shapes from the rolled dough. Carefully transfer the cut-out shapes to the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they do not touch each other.
- Poke Holes: Use a toothpick or skewer to gently poke a small hole near the top of each ornament. This hole is where you will thread your string or ribbon for hanging later.
- Bake Ornaments: Place the baking sheet with the cut-out ornaments into the preheated oven. Bake for approximately 1 ½ to 2 hours, or until the ornaments feel completely rock hard to the touch. Baking time may vary depending on thickness and oven.
- Cool Completely: Once baked, remove the ornaments from the oven and let them cool completely on the baking sheet or a wire rack. They will continue to harden as they cool.
- Add Hangers: Once fully cooled and hardened, take your decorative string or ribbon. Loop a piece through the poked hole in each ornament and tie it to form a hanger.
- Display Or Gift: Your homemade cinnamon ornaments are now ready! Hang them on your Christmas tree, use them as festive gift tags, or share them with loved ones.
Pro Tips & Troubleshooting
Achieve perfect results every time with these helpful hints for your cinnamon ornament recipe.
- Dough Consistency: Adjust applesauce or cinnamon slowly. The dough should be firm enough to roll without being crumbly or overly sticky.
- Sticky Dough: If the dough sticks to your hands or the rolling pin, gradually knead in more cinnamon until it reaches the desired texture.
- Crumbly Dough: For dough that is too dry and breaks apart, add very small amounts of applesauce, just half a teaspoon at a time, until it becomes pliable.
- Air Drying: For a no-bake alternative, you can air dry the ornaments. This process takes several days, flipping them periodically, but works well.
- Decoration Ideas: Personalize your dried ornaments! Use acrylic paints, glitter glue, or attach small natural elements like dried berries or twigs.
- Scent Refresh: Over time, the scent may fade. Gently sand the back of an ornament with fine-grit sandpaper or dab with a drop of cinnamon essential oil for a refresh. For guidance on safe handling, explore general essential oil safety tips.
- Common Mistakes: Avoid rolling the dough too thin, as this can lead to fragile ornaments. Ensure sufficient drying time, either in the oven or air drying, to prevent cracking.
Serving, Storage & Variations
These charming cinnamon creations offer versatile ways to decorate and enjoy!
- Serving Suggestions: Hang them directly on your Christmas tree for a rustic touch. Use them as fragrant gift tags for presents, or string multiple ornaments together to create a festive garland. They also make lovely potpourri bowl fillers.
- Proper Storage: To keep your ornaments in top condition year after year, store them in an airtight container or a padded box. Layer them with tissue paper or bubble wrap to prevent breakage. Choose a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and humidity.
- Longevity: When stored correctly, these durable cinnamon ornaments can last for many years, even decades. Many people enjoy theirs for a decade or more!
- Spice Variations: Experiment with other holiday spices. Add a pinch of ground ginger, nutmeg, or allspice to the dough for a unique aromatic blend.
- Texture Variations: For a subtle sparkle, you can knead a very small amount of fine-grained salt into the dough. This adds a slight crystalline texture as they dry.
Nutrition
It is important to remember that these cinnamon ornaments are NOT edible. They are crafted solely for decorative purposes and should not be consumed. We do not provide nutritional information as they are not food items.
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | Not for consumption |
| Fat | Not for consumption |
| Carbohydrates | Not for consumption |
| Protein | Not for consumption |
FAQ
Are cinnamon ornaments safe to eat?
No, these ornaments are strictly for decoration and should not be eaten. They contain high amounts of cinnamon which can be harmful if consumed in large quantities.
How long do cinnamon ornaments last?
With proper storage, your homemade cinnamon ornaments can last for many years, even decades. Keep them dry and protected.
Can I air dry instead of baking?
Yes, you can air dry them. Place them on a wire rack and turn them occasionally over several days until completely hard.
Why did my ornaments crack or crumble?
This usually happens if the dough was too dry, rolled too thin, or dried too quickly. Ensure proper dough consistency and adequate drying time.
How can I make the cinnamon scent stronger?
Gently rub the surface of the ornament, or add a few drops of cinnamon essential oil to the back once dry.
What other spices can I add?
Ground ginger, nutmeg, or allspice are excellent additions to enhance the holiday aroma alongside cinnamon.
Got questions about making these festive creations? Here are answers to common inquiries about this popular cinnamon ornament recipe.
Conclusion
This simple two-ingredient cinnamon ornament recipe offers a wonderful way to bring festive cheer into your home. You create not just decorations, but lasting memories and a delightful aroma that captures the essence of the holidays. Start a new tradition with your family, crafting these charming keepsakes year after year. Share your beautiful cinnamon creations with us and leave a review; we love hearing about your crafting adventures!
