Crank up Amy Grant’s Christmas album (love you to bits, Mariah, but Amy’s the true queen of Christmas!) grab yourself a hot cocoa, and let’s get to work on these GORGEOUS, inexpensive, fun, and easy cinnamon ornaments that are made with just two ingredients:
- Applesauce
- Cinnamon
These sweet and spiced homemade ornaments are the perfect holiday activity for little ones and/or a fun way to get into the holiday spirit. I could not love this handmade project more!
We finally put up our Christmas decorations this past weekend and the house is bright and festive. The kids are INTO it this year – you should have seen Gwen’s face when I plugged in the Christmas tree lights – and these are the times when having three little kids feels really, really fun. (I know you know what I mean.) Our holiday spirits were sent into overdrive when the scent of these cinnamon applesauce ornaments baking in the oven started wafting throughout the house. Absolutely incredible, and I still smell cinnamon every time I walk in the door, days after baking them.
As I mentioned, making cinnamon ornaments is a fabulous activity for kids this holiday season (perfect snow day / Christmas break idea, parents!) I made, cut out, and baked the dough one day, then the kids and I decorated them the next. I’d say kids three and older could definitely help make, roll, and cut the dough, though kids of any age can help with decorating. Lincoln took a look at the ones we hung on the tree and said, “Mom, they look SO good!”
(Cam was just there for the hot chocolate.)
The sky is the limit for decorating – it’s the most fun part. I had serious flashbacks to my sugar cookie baking days while decorating these. It felt so strange using puff paint and not icing, and remembering they were ornaments and not cookies! That said, these ornaments are not edible so be sure to remind little ones of that while you’re working on them. ;) See below for the materials I used on each ornament.
Easy cinnamon ornaments would be great to give to Grandparents, teachers, or even to decorate a kids-only tree. Seriously they are just SO adorable!
How to Make Cinnamon Ornaments:
Start by adding 1 cup applesauce and 5oz cinnamon to a large bowl then mix with a fork until crumbly. Next, use your hands to knead the mixture into a dough ball. If it’s still crumbly, add more applesauce 1 Tablespoon at a time until the dough is soft but not sticky. It should resemble sugar cookie dough. Again, soft but not sticky!
Tip: Since these ornaments are not edible, purchase the cheapest cinnamon you can find. I use a store brand version which is $.99 per 2.5oz container (you’ll need two for this recipe.) I hear the dollar store has cheap cinnamon too.
Next, slightly flatten the dough ball (you can split it in half it it’s easier for you to work with one half at a time,) onto a sheet of saran wrap then cover with another sheet of saran wrap and roll 1/4″ thick. Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes then transfer to a silpat or parchment paper lined baking sheet. I prefer parchment paper but both work.
You can re-roll the scraps until all the dough is used up – I get about 14, 3-4″ ornaments out of each batch of Easy Cinnamon Ornaments.
Once the ornaments are on the baking sheet, use a straw to poke a hole for a ribbon then bake for two hours at 200 degrees, or until the ornaments are completely dried out, flipping the ornaments once. You’ll need to use a metal spatula to flip the ornaments if using a silpat, whereas you’ll be able to use your fingers if using parchment paper.
Lastly, I like to shut the oven OFF then let the ornaments sit inside and continue to dry out for another 30 minutes or so.
How to Decorate Cinnamon Ornaments:
After the cinnamon ornaments are completely cool, it’s time to decorate! You can use regular Elmer’s glue and glitter, regular or glitter puff paint (I bought at the craft store,) regular paint, or even Sharpies to decorate the cinnamon ornaments. Add embellishments like sequins, buttons, or even crushed candy canes with glue. The sky is the limit and this is the MOST fun part so let imaginations run wild. I have to say, glue + glitter looks the prettiest but you know…GLITTER. #eek Glitter puff paint is a great way to get a similar look.
Here’s how I decorated my cinnamon ornaments:
- Christmas Tree: Glue + green glitter, red and white puff paint for “ornaments”.
- Gingerbread Man: Puff paint.
- Snowman: Puff paint + sprinkling of iridescent glitter.
- Snowflake: Glue + silver glitter.
- Candy Cane: Red and white puff paint.
- Red and Blue Circles: Glue + red and blue glitter.
How Long Do Cinnamon Ornaments Last?
Cinnamon ornaments should last indefinitely if wrapped in tissue paper between seasons. They’re not indestructible but they’re also not crumbly nor fragile. I hope you have a BLAST making this fun holiday project this year – Merry Christmas and happy holidays!
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Easy Cinnamon Ornaments
Description
Easy Cinnamon Ornaments require just 2 ingredients to make and are SO much fun to decorate! A fun activity for kids, and sweet gift for loved ones.
Ingredients
- 5oz cinnamon
- 1 cup + 2 Tablespoons applesauce
- Supplies:
- Ribbon
- Cookie cutters
- Puff paint (regular or glitter)
- Elmers glue
- Glitter
- Paint
- Other embellishments: sequins, buttons, rhinestones, etc.
Directions
- Preheat oven to 200 degrees then line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silpat (I prefer parchment paper but both will work) and set aside.
- Add cinnamon and 1 cup applesauce to a large bowl then mix with a fork until clumpy. Next, use your hands to knead the dough together and form it into a ball. If the mixture is crumbly, add more applesauce 1 Tablespoon at a time until the dough is smooth but not sticky. The texture should be similar to sugar cookie dough - not crumbly but not sticky- and don't worry about overworking the dough as it's not edible and you really can't hurt it!
- Flatten the ball slightly onto a piece of plastic wrap then cover with another piece of plastic wrap and roll 1/4" thick. Cut dough into shapes using cookie cutters then transfer to prepared baking sheet. If the edges of the ornaments are a little rough just pat and smooth them down with your fingertips. Dough may be re-rolled and cut until completely used up.
- Use a straw to poke a hole through the top of each ornament then bake for 2 hours or until dried through, flipping the ornaments halfway through. Lastly, I turn the oven OFF then let the ornaments sit in there for an additional 30 minutes or so just to make sure they're completely dried out. Cool completely.
- Once cool, decorate ornaments with glue and glitter, paint, puff paint, etc then, once dry, add a ribbon and hang!
Notes
- These ornaments are NOT edible! They should keep for years if wrapped in tissue paper between seasons.
- You may use the cheapest brand of cinnamon you can find - I use a store-brand version which is $.99 per 2.5oz bottle. I hear the $1 store has cheap cinnamon too.
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
Julie 12.22.2023
I wanted so much to love this! I measured everything precisely and it was a wet, sticky mess. We definitely couldn’t roll it out and cut shapes. I ended up adding a ton of flour and salvaged it! Thankful, because my kids have been so looking forward to this. I appreciate you sharing this idea, and also wanted to share the flour idea in case anybody else ends up in the same boat as me.
Kristin 12.24.2023
I’m so glad this project was able to be salvaged, Julie! We made these according to the recipe this year again and didn’t have any issues!
M Winslow 11.01.2023
I made these many years ago but once dried, they were a muted brown. I loved the color when wet, but dried, not so much. Yours look dark like I prefer. Do you think this is because you don’t use glue or do you add something else to make them darker?
Kristin 11.02.2023
Hey M! It could be the combination of ingredients in the prior ornaments — it’s hard to say! The only ingredients in these ornaments are applesauce and cinnamon. I hope that helps!
Lola 12.01.2022
These did not work. Wet, unusable and a waste:/
Kristin 12.01.2022
I’m so sorry to hear that, Lola! Is it possible the ingredients were mis-measured? I haven’t received this feedback before is all. Eager to help!
yourfates 06.12.2022
Cute idea, but my dog would eat those off the tree!
Kristin 06.13.2022
They technically are edible, but yes, you would need to decide if they are appropriate for your family.
Karen 11.29.2020
I made these yesterday with dollar store cinnamon and some expired cups of applesauce. Turned out great. Today I used Walmart cinnamon and Walmart applesauce. Too sticky and crumbly. Cannot cut them out. I’ve finally decided it is the humidity today. That’s what I’m hoping for. This is a great project for young and old.
Kerri 12.11.2019
Can you please share the brand of paint you use and where you get it? Thanks so much!
Kristin 12.11.2019
Hi Kerri! You bet – I updated the copy with how I decorated each ornament and the materials used!
Carla 12.06.2019
Super excited to give these a roll! My kids will love it! Thanks
My Happy Birthdays 12.06.2019
A Very great post with a great presentation:)
Holly 12.05.2019
YES!! I grew up listening to Amy Grant’s home for christmas album every year while we decorated our tree. Her version of have yourself a merry little Christmas is so nostalgic to me and my favorite version of that song! Also love michael w Smith’s Christmas music. You’ll see her make appearances on his albums too!
Danielle 12.05.2019
Can you say specifically what type of paint you used? Was it acrylic paint? You got great results!
Kristin 12.05.2019
Hi Danielle! The snowman, gingerbread man, and candy cane were decorated with regular puff paint. The red and blue circles, snowflake, and Christmas tree are all glue plus loose glitter. (The dots on the Christmas tree are puff paint.)
Ruthie 12.05.2019
What a great idea to show fun things to do at home! We will definitely be trying these out. Thanks so much for sharing!
Alex 12.04.2019
A few years from now when the scent fades some, a light sanding on the back will revive that cinnamony goodness!
Sarah 12.04.2019
This is such a fun idea! When my daughter is just a little older I’l have to do this with her. Thanks for sharing!
Kristin 12.04.2019
You bet, Sarah! :)
Terri 12.04.2019
Cute idea, but my dog would eat those off the tree!
Kristin 12.04.2019
Ack! Yep, need to get those suckers high up there!
Donna 12.04.2019
My Aunt made me one of these, probably back in the 80’s, and I still have it and it STILL smells just as good! I’m so excited to now have a recipe to make them with my kids! Thank you<3 (ps- your kids are adorable and that Cam in hilarious!)
Kristin 12.04.2019
YES!! Hope you guys have fun!! :D
Paige Cassandra Flamm 12.04.2019
These ornaments are so cute! I’ve been wanting to make these with the kids for years, making a plan to actually execute this year!
Paige
http://thehappyflammily.com
Kristin 12.04.2019
Hope you and your kids have a great time with these, Paige! :)
Julie Binger 12.04.2019
I remember making these in elementary school at art class! I need to do this with my kids, thanks for bringing back the memories! :)
Kristin 12.04.2019
You bet, Julie! Have fun! :)
Hilary 12.04.2019
You read my mind! I was just looking for fun Christmas crafts to do with my toddler! Can’t wait to try these.
Kristin 12.04.2019
Perfect timing! Here’s another project we love to do every year: https://iowagirleats.com/2015/12/21/fruit-christmas-tree/
Hilary 12.07.2019
Thank you! Just ordered a huge container of cinnamon for $5 on Amazon and the puff paint is arriving next week!
Hilary 12.14.2019
I made these last night! In short, they’re wonderful and perfect for kiddos. A few notes for those that are making it:
1. I didn’t think the mixture would come together, but keep stirring!
2. The dough is a dream for little kids. It’s not sticky and doesn’t get everywhere.
3. Smaller cookie cutters didn’t work as well because once you punch the hole in, it takes up like half the ornament. Yep, it may be obvious, but I didn’t think about it until I tried to do tiny gingerbread men.
4. The house will smell like Christmas and it’s delightful.
Looking forward to decorating these tomorrow!
Kari 12.04.2019
I made these with my kiddos when they were your kids age (they are now 16 and 19) and they still hang on our tree.
Kristin 12.04.2019
My parents still have salt dough ornaments we made as kids – absolute treasures!