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Cinnamon ornaments are one of those holiday projects that make the kitchen smell like you have been baking all afternoon. The dough is simple, dark, and fragrant, and it rolls out like a soft clay.
I like this version because the ornaments dry sturdy enough for a tree, a garland, or a gift topper. They look a little like gingerbread cookies, but they are strictly for decorating, not for eating.
The Fragrant Dough Lineup
The dough only needs a few craft-friendly ingredients, so texture matters more than precision. Use inexpensive ground cinnamon and smooth applesauce, since none of this is meant to be eaten.
- Ground cinnamon. Gives the ornaments their deep brown color, sandy texture, and long-lasting holiday scent.
- Unsweetened applesauce. Moistens the cinnamon into a rollable dough without adding chunks or stickiness.
- White school glue. Strengthens the ornaments so thin points and small shapes hold up better after drying.
- Ground cloves. Adds a warmer spice scent, but it is optional if you want pure cinnamon.
- Cornstarch. Helps the dough feel smoother and can speed drying in a humid kitchen.
- Ribbon or twine. Turns the dry shapes into hangable ornaments, gift toppers, or garland pieces.
How Cinnamon Ornaments Take Shape
- Mix the dough. Stir the applesauce, glue, cinnamon, cloves, and cornstarch in a bowl until the mixture gets thick. Knead it by hand until it feels like firm modeling clay.
- Adjust the texture. Add cinnamon if it feels sticky. Add applesauce a teaspoon at a time if it cracks when squeezed.
- Roll it thick. Roll the dough between plastic wrap or parchment to about 1/4 inch thick. Too thin and the ornaments can curl or snap.
- Cut the shapes. Press cookie cutters into the dough and move the shapes to a parchment-lined sheet or rack. Gather scraps and reroll gently.
- Make hanging holes. Use a straw or skewer to punch a clean hole near the top of each shape. Keep it away from the edge so it will not tear.
- Dry and finish. Bake at 200°F until firm and dry, flipping once. Cool completely, then thread with ribbon or decorate as you like.
Why Cinnamon Ornaments Dry Right
The best cinnamon ornaments dry slowly. High heat can puff the dough, darken the edges, or make small shapes curl. A low 200°F oven dries the moisture without really baking the dough. I set the shapes on parchment or a rack and flip them once halfway through. The surface should feel dry and firm before you call them done.
If you would rather skip the oven, air drying works well. It takes patience. Set the ornaments on racks for 2-4 days and turn them once a day. The slower method gives a smooth finish and a strong scent. It also keeps the kitchen free if you are making treats like Cinnamon Roll Cookies the same week.
The Dough Should Feel Firm
Good cinnamon dough should hold a clean fingerprint and lift from the counter without smearing. If it sticks to the rolling pin, dust the surface with more cinnamon rather than flour. Flour dulls the color and weakens the scent. Rolling between plastic wrap is the tidiest method, especially if kids are helping.
Do not worry if the dough looks a little rough. That rustic texture is part of the charm. If the edges bother you after drying, rub them gently with fine sandpaper outside or over a trash can. For food-safety and household safety questions, especially if a child tastes craft materials, keep Poison Control handy.
Decorating Without Softening Them
Let the ornaments cool and dry fully before decorating. Puffy paint, tiny dots of craft glue, glitter, or a simple ribbon all work. I like leaving some plain because the dark cinnamon color looks beautiful next to dried orange slices and evergreen clippings.
For a cozy gift, tie one ornament to a loaf of Sweet Apple Cinnamon Quick Bread or a bag of homemade cookies. You can also pair a few shapes with Air Fryer Cinnamon Apple Chips for a cinnamon-themed basket, as long as the ornament is clearly separate and not treated as food.
Storing Them For Next Year
Moisture is the only real enemy here. Once the ornaments are fully dry, wrap them in tissue paper and store them in a sturdy box. A cookie tin also works if it closes well and stays in a dry cupboard. Avoid packing them with damp greenery or anything oily.
The scent fades slowly, but it does not vanish overnight. If they need a little boost next season, place them near fresh cinnamon sticks for a day before hanging. Do not add liquid fragrance or essential oils to finished ornaments unless you test one first, since liquid can spot the surface.
Use Them Beyond The Tree
Cinnamon ornaments are lovely on a tree, but they are useful all over the house. Tie small stars onto wrapped gifts, string hearts into a short garland, or hang a few in a kitchen window. They also look sweet tucked beside a plate of Brown Sugar Cinnamon Caramel Cookies at a holiday cookie swap, as long as guests know the ornaments are decorative.
If you want an even simpler seasonal craft, the existing Holiday DIY Crafts post is a good companion. This version leans sturdy, strongly scented, and easy to store.
Summary
These cinnamon ornaments are a simple holiday craft made from cinnamon applesauce dough. Keep them dry after the season and they can come back out year after year.
FAQs
- Are cinnamon ornaments edible?
No. These are for decorating only, especially if you use school glue. They may look like cookies, so keep them away from small kids and pets who might try to taste them.
- Can I make cinnamon ornaments without glue?
Yes, you can use just cinnamon and applesauce, but the ornaments are usually a bit more fragile. Glue helps the dough bind and makes the finished shapes less likely to crack during storage.
- How long do cinnamon ornaments take to dry?
In a 200°F oven, plan on about 2 to 2 1/2 hours depending on thickness. Air drying takes 2-4 days and works best on racks with good airflow.
- Why is my cinnamon ornament dough crumbly?
It needs a little more moisture. Work in applesauce 1 teaspoon at a time until the dough holds together when pressed but does not stick heavily to your fingers.
- How should I store cinnamon ornaments?
Let them dry completely first, then wrap them in tissue and store in a dry box or tin. Avoid damp basements and plastic bags with trapped moisture because that can soften the ornaments.
- Can kids help make these ornaments?
Yes, kids are great at pressing cutters and threading ribbon. Adults should handle the mixing, oven drying, and the reminder that these cinnamon ornaments are not food.
