Cinnamon Applesauce Ornaments – Easy 2-Ingredient Christmas Decorations
Introduction
Cinnamon applesauce ornaments are a beautiful, inexpensive, and wonderfully fragrant way to bring the magic of Christmas into your home. Made with just two simple ingredients, these homemade decorations are easy to prepare and perfect for creating lasting holiday memories with family and friends.
Unlike traditional Christmas ornaments made from glass, plastic, or metal, these rustic decorations are crafted from a mixture of ground cinnamon and applesauce. The mixture forms a soft dough that can be rolled out, cut into festive shapes, and dried until firm.
The finished ornaments have a lovely cinnamon-brown color and a warm, spicy fragrance that makes them especially suitable for Christmas trees, holiday wreaths, gift wrapping, and seasonal displays. You can make stars, hearts, gingerbread people, snowflakes, Christmas trees, and many other shapes using ordinary cookie cutters.
One of the best things about this recipe is its simplicity. There is no complicated equipment, no baking expertise required, and no need for expensive craft supplies. Children can help choose the shapes and arrange the ornaments, making this activity a wonderful family tradition.
These ornaments are intended for decoration, not eating. Although they contain familiar food ingredients, the finished pieces become hard and are not suitable as a snack.
Ingredients
This recipe uses only two main ingredients.
- 1 cup ground cinnamon
- 3/4 to 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
You may need slightly more or less applesauce depending on the brand, thickness, and moisture content.
Optional Supplies
These items are for shaping and displaying the ornaments rather than for the dough itself.
- Christmas cookie cutters
- Rolling pin
- Parchment paper
- Drinking straw or skewer for making hanging holes
- Ribbon, twine, or decorative string
- Baking sheet or flat drying tray
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Cinnamon Dough
Place the ground cinnamon in a large mixing bowl.
Add 3/4 cup of applesauce and stir with a spoon until the mixture begins to come together. Continue mixing until a thick, workable dough forms.
If the mixture is too dry and crumbly, add more applesauce one tablespoon at a time. If it feels too sticky, add a little more ground cinnamon.
The finished dough should resemble soft modeling clay. It should hold together when pressed and be firm enough to roll without sticking excessively to your hands.
Step 2: Knead the Mixture
Transfer the dough to a clean work surface lightly dusted with cinnamon.
Knead it gently for approximately 2–3 minutes, pressing and folding until the texture becomes even and smooth.
Avoid adding too much applesauce at once because excess moisture can make the dough difficult to handle and increase the drying time.
Step 3: Roll Out the Dough
Place the dough between two sheets of parchment paper or roll it on a surface lightly dusted with cinnamon.
Use a rolling pin to flatten it to approximately 1/4 inch thick.
Try to maintain an even thickness throughout the dough. Ornaments that are too thin may break more easily, while thicker pieces generally take longer to dry.
Step 4: Cut Out Christmas Shapes
Choose your favorite Christmas cookie cutters and press them firmly into the dough.
Popular shapes include:
- Christmas trees
- Stars
- Hearts
- Snowflakes
- Gingerbread people
- Bells
- Candy canes
- Snowmen
Remove the excess dough from around each shape.
Carefully transfer the ornaments to a parchment-lined baking sheet or flat drying tray. Gather the leftover dough, knead it gently, and roll it out again to make additional decorations.
Step 5: Make Holes for Hanging
Before drying, use a drinking straw or skewer to make a small hole near the top of each ornament.
Make sure the hole is large enough for ribbon or twine to pass through. Leave sufficient space between the hole and the edge so the ornament does not crack when it is hung.
Remember that the holes may shrink slightly as the dough dries.
Step 6: Dry the Ornaments
There are two practical ways to dry your cinnamon applesauce ornaments.
Air-drying method: Place the ornaments on a flat, parchment-lined tray in a dry, well-ventilated area. Allow them to dry for approximately 24–72 hours or longer, depending on their thickness and the humidity. Turn them occasionally to help both sides dry evenly.
Oven-drying method: Place the ornaments on a parchment-lined baking sheet and dry them in an oven set to approximately 200°F (95°C) for 2–3 hours, turning them periodically. Thicker ornaments may require additional time.
Keep the oven temperature low to reduce the risk of scorching. Drying times vary, so check the ornaments regularly.
The ornaments are ready when they feel firm and dry throughout. Allow them to cool completely before handling or decorating.
Step 7: Add Ribbon and Display
Once the ornaments are completely dry, thread ribbon or twine through the holes.
Tie a small loop and hang the ornaments on your Christmas tree, arrange them on a holiday wreath, or attach them to wrapped gifts.
You can also place them in decorative bowls or use them as part of a seasonal table display.
Keep them away from moisture, and do not hang them where pets or young children could chew or swallow them.
Method: Tips for Perfect Cinnamon Applesauce Ornaments
Getting the Right Dough Consistency
The most important step is achieving a dough that is firm but pliable. Too much applesauce can make the mixture sticky and slow to dry. Too much cinnamon can make it crumbly.
Start with less applesauce and add more gradually until the dough holds together comfortably.
Keeping the Shapes Intact
Roll the dough to an even thickness and transfer the cut shapes carefully. A thin spatula can help lift delicate designs without stretching or breaking them.
For intricate cookie cutters, press firmly and remove the surrounding dough slowly.
Drying Without Cracks
Avoid making the ornaments excessively thick or exposing them to high oven temperatures. Turn them during drying and allow enough time for the moisture to escape.
Small surface imperfections are normal and contribute to the rustic appearance of these handmade decorations.
Preserving the Ornaments
Store completely dry ornaments in a cool, dry place, away from moisture and direct contact with water. Wrap them individually in tissue paper before placing them in a storage box.
Because these ornaments contain applesauce and are not preserved food, their durability varies with drying conditions and storage. Discard any ornament that develops mold or an unusual appearance.
History of Cinnamon Applesauce Ornaments
Homemade Christmas decorations have long been part of holiday traditions around the world. Before inexpensive commercial ornaments became widely available, families often decorated their homes with handmade items crafted from natural materials, paper, fabric, dried fruit, and other household supplies.
Cinnamon applesauce ornaments are a relatively modern craft tradition rather than a single historically documented Christmas recipe. They became popular as an accessible holiday activity because they combine two familiar ingredients into a fragrant, moldable dough.
Their appeal comes from the simplicity of the process and the warm scent of cinnamon. Families can make them at home without specialized craft equipment, and each ornament can be shaped to reflect individual tastes or family traditions.
Over time, these decorations have become popular for school activities, family craft afternoons, homemade gifts, and seasonal decorating.
Formation: How the Ornaments Become Hard
The formation of cinnamon applesauce ornaments depends mainly on moisture loss.
When cinnamon and applesauce are mixed, the applesauce provides enough moisture to bind the ground cinnamon into a workable dough. The cinnamon particles create the dough’s body and help it retain the shapes cut into it.
As the ornaments dry, moisture gradually evaporates from the mixture. The dough becomes firmer, and its shape is preserved.
This is why even thickness is important. Thin areas dry faster than thick areas, and uneven drying can contribute to cracking or curling.
The finished ornaments are firm, lightweight decorations with a naturally textured surface. They do not need frosting or complicated embellishments to look attractive.
Creative Decorating Ideas
Once your ornaments are dry, you can use them in many different ways.
1. Traditional Christmas tree ornaments
Choose stars, bells, and Christmas trees, then add red, green, gold, or cream-colored ribbons.
2. Rustic farmhouse decorations
Leave the ornaments plain and pair them with natural twine, wooden beads, or simple greenery.
3. Homemade gift tags
Attach a small ornament to a wrapped present with ribbon. Keep it separate from direct food contact, and remember that the ornament is decorative rather than edible.
4. Personalized decorations
Use simple shapes and arrange several ornaments together to create a coordinated holiday display.
5. Christmas wreath decorations
Tie dried ornaments onto a wreath or garland, ensuring they are protected from rain and damp conditions.
6. Family craft tradition
Let each family member choose a shape to make every year. Write the year on a separate paper tag and store it with the ornament collection.
Safety Notes
- These ornaments are not edible, even though they contain cinnamon and applesauce.
- Ground cinnamon can irritate the nose, eyes, and airways if dust is inhaled. Mix it gently and avoid creating airborne powder.
- Supervise young children during cutting and hole-making.
- Keep the finished ornaments away from pets and small children who might chew or swallow them.
- If using an oven, an adult should handle the hot baking sheet.
- Do not use the ornaments as food decorations or place them in direct contact with food.
Conclusion
Cinnamon applesauce ornaments are a simple and charming way to celebrate the Christmas season. With only two main ingredients, a few cookie cutters, and a little patience, you can create beautiful decorations that bring a warm, cinnamon fragrance and a handmade touch to your holiday home.
The recipe is easy to customize with different shapes, ribbons, and display ideas. Whether you hang them on your Christmas tree, attach them to gifts, or make them during a family craft afternoon, these ornaments offer an affordable and memorable seasonal activity.
The most important things to remember are to adjust the dough carefully, roll it to an even thickness, make the hanging holes before drying, and allow the ornaments to dry completely.
For Cinnamon and Christmas Lovers
If you love the scent of cinnamon, the beauty of handmade decorations, and the traditions that make Christmas special, this project is a wonderful addition to your holiday preparations.
Prepare a batch in early December, choose a collection of festive shapes, and let the ornaments dry while you plan the rest of your seasonal decorating. Their simple, rustic appearance works beautifully with traditional Christmas colors as well as natural farmhouse-style decorations.
Best of all, the recipe proves that creating something memorable does not require a long ingredient list or expensive supplies. Sometimes, two simple ingredients are enough to begin a new holiday tradition.