Simple and beautiful, these classic old-fashioned cinnamon ornaments are the perfect holiday craft to do with your kids this Christmas. A longtime family favorite, an easy dough is made then baked into shapes with the help of cookie cutters. You’ll love this magical and sweet activity.
Want more DIY? Try these burnt wood ornaments and DIY light sign for more holiday decor. P.S. Don’t miss these gingerbread and gingersnap recipe ideas.
WE LOVE: Gingerbread Fudge | Gingerbread Truffles
Ingredients to Make Cinnamon Ornaments
- 1 cup ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon ground nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon ground cloves
- 1/2 cup white all-purpose glue
- 3/4 cup applesauce
Plus, while you have the applesauce out, make this delicious applesauce cake.
PRO TIP: I used cinnamon applesauce for my ornaments if you use regular applesauce, you’ll probably want to increase the amount of cinnamon!
How to Make Old-Fashioned Cinnamon Ornaments
STEP ONE: Combine cinnamon with clove and nutmeg in a medium-sized bowl.
STEP TWO: Stir well then add applesauce and glue.
STEP THREE: Mix by hand to form a smooth, clay-like dough.
STEP FOUR: Roll out your dough to about 1/4 inch thickness.
PRO TIP: You can layer your dough between two sheets of plastic wrap to make it easier and less messy while rolling it out.
PRO TIP: You could use a patterned rolling pin or stamps to press a pattern into the ornaments before proceeding.
STEP FIVE: Cut out holiday shapes with cookie cutters. Add a hole in the top for a ribbon with a straw or toothpick.
STEP SIX: Lift shapes carefully with a spatula and place on a parchment paper-lined cookie sheet.
How to Bake Cinnamon Ornaments
STEP SEVEN: Bake at 200 degrees for 2-3 hours until dry and hard.
Alternate Methods
OVEN: You can skip the oven and let the ornaments air dry if you would rather. Just lay them out on a wire rack for 2-3 days, rotating occasionally.
DEHYDRATOR: Place the ornaments on the rack and set it to the highest setting for six hours.
Decorating Your Cinnamon Ornaments
STEP EIGHT: Tie with a ribbon and hang on your tree or use as a package decoration or DIY gift.
You can also decorate your ornaments with glue, metallic paint, craft paint, and glitter if you’d like to. I would recommend laying out newspapers to decorate on if you decide to break out the paints and glitter! 😉
PRO TIP: If your edges are a little rough, you can use fine-grit sandpaper to smooth them out.
BONUS IDEA: Use a Sharpie to write the year on the back!
Storing Homemade Cinnamon Ornaments
I recommend placing these gems in sandwich baggies when you’re putting away decorations, especially if they’re decorated.
MORE: Soft Gingerbread Cookies | Gingerbread House
MAKE: Butterscotch Haystacks | Peanut Brittle
PLUS TRY: Christmas Crunch | Christmas Pinwheels
Easy to make and filled with the sweet smell of cinnamon, these old-fashioned cinnamon ornaments will become a favorite holiday tradition for your family each Christmas. It only takes a few minutes to mix and bake the dough, before using cookie cutters and popping your creations in the oven. The result is darling ornaments that are perfect for decorating or keepsake gifting.
Old Fashioned Cinnamon Ornaments
Ingredients
- 1 cup ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon ground nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon ground cloves
- 1/2 cup white all-purpose glue
- 3/4 cup applesauce
Instructions
- Combine cinnamon with clove and nutmeg in a medium-sized bowl.
- Stir well then add applesauce and glue.
- Mix by hand to form a smooth, clay-like dough.
- Roll out your dough to about 1/4 inch thickness.
- Cut out holiday shapes with cookie cutters. Add a hole in the top for a ribbon with a straw or toothpick.
- Lift shapes carefully with a spatula and place on a parchment paper-lined cookie sheet.
- Bake at 200 degrees for 2-3 hours until dry and hard.
- Tie with a ribbon and hang on your tree or use as a package decoration like our example below.
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