Learn how to make these easy Homemade Cinnamon Ornaments with this video tutorial. These homemade ornaments a great project to do with kids for a new Christmas tradition.
I think we have a new tradition here at the farmhouse. DIY Applesauce Cinnamon Ornaments are an easy holiday craft that don’t take a lot of time, but the results last for ages. The warm, festive scent of cinnamon throughout our home truly amplified the holiday spirit and sense of anticipation for Christmas.
Our whole family had so much fun listening to Christmas music as little hands pressed out beautiful ornaments with our favorite cookie cutters. We will always remember being crowded around the dining table, sipping eggnog, and creating more sweet memories over this pretty little project.
Add in a wholesome Christmas movie, a winter themed puzzle, or a chilly nature walk during the wait time, and you’ve got a full day of Christmas fun.
We really loved how these fit right in with our other handmade ornaments in our neutral color tree theme.
I already love a fun craft project, but I feel like the best part is that these sweet smelling ornaments can easily be a fall and winter season staple.
While I love to make these into Christmas trees or gingerbread men perfect for Christmas time, a more neutral shape will have you displaying these beauties the entire cold season.
These can be hung around our farmhouse offering the lovely, rustic look of a handmade craft, while bringing smiles to the kids’ faces when they see their little projects proudly displayed.
I think you will see in the video below just how much fun the kids had making these little ornaments. They are super simple, so you can let the kids get messy and enjoy making them (mostly) by themselves. It’s a great way to get everyone involved, creating a great little ornament with simple ingredients.
Equal parts cinnamon and applesauce make up these scrumptious smelling DIY Christmas decorations.
What I Love About This Project
Simple: Minimal ingredients and inexpensive.
Long lasting: These ornaments last a long, long time. The cinnamon smell also lasts ages.
Versatile: While I love to see these hanging on our tree at Christmas time, I also love that these can easily be hung about the house as all-season decor.
Great gift: This is a fun way to let the little kids make their own gifts for grandparents, teachers, or friends.
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Homemade Cinnamon Ornaments Ingredients
Ground cinnamon
Unsweetened applesauce
Tools You May Need
Mixing bowl
Parchment paper or wax paper
Rolling pin (I have had a lot of people ask about the kid sized rolling pins.)
Cookie cutters (I used these stainless steel stars I purchased from Amazon.)
String or ribbon
Decorations (puffy paint, glitter glue, paint, buttons, etc)
How to Make Homemade Cinnamon Ornaments
Combine cinnamon and applesauce in a large bowl.
Stir until incorporated, but then get your hands in there and really knead it like a dough. The dough will feel a little bit dry, but shouldn’t be crumbly.
Roll it out until it is 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch thickness. You can also place the dough between two sheets of plastic wrap and roll it out that way for less mess.
Use cookie cutters to cut them out into shapes. I used these stars from Amazon.
With something sharp, like a skewer, ink pen or drinking straw to poke a small hole through the top of the ornament large enough for your string to go through.
Preheat oven to 250 degrees and bake for two hours on a greased baking sheet.
Allow them to cool completely, around two hours (possibly more depending on the moisture in your home).
Put strings through the holes and tie a knot.
Decorate!
If my belly looks rather round in the video that is because I actually shot it when I was in early labor with our newest addition, Micah.
I could tell things were happening, but had no idea he would be born just hours later at 7 p.m. that night. You can read our home birth story HERE.
I’m so glad I was able to get in one more fun project with the older kids before baby made his arrival.
FAQ
How long do DIY cinnamon ornaments last?
Properly stored, these can last years. We wrap with tissue paper and store them in a box so they won’t be crushed amongst the other Christmas decor.
Can you paint cinnamon dough ornaments?
Yes! Puffy paint, regular paint, and even paint markers work well on these.
Do you have to bake these in the oven?
No, you can also air dry them. The oven is the fastest option, but you can also set them in an out-of-the-way place and allow them to dry for about 2 to 3 days. The air drying process isn’t the most popular with eager kiddos.
My other DIY ornament tutorials
- DIY Drop Cloth Rag Ball Christmas Ornaments
- DIY Pine Cone Ornaments
- Vintage Cookie Cutter DIY Christmas Ornaments
- Scandinavian Christmas DIY Twig Stars
It’s a handmade Christmas this year!
Thank you so much for stopping by the farmhouse!
DIY Cinnamon Ornaments
Equipment
- Cookie Cutters
- String
- Something to poke a hole in the top.
- Rollling pin
Ingredients
- 2 cups cinnamon
- 2 cups applesauce, I just used the cheapest I could find
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 250 degrees.
- Combine the cinnamon and applesauce in a large bowl. Stir until incorporated. You will have to use your hands to really knead it like a dough.
- Roll it out until it is 1/4″ to 1/2″ thick.
- Use cookie cutters to cut them out into shapes. I used these stars from Amazon.
- Use something sharp, like a skewer, ink pen or pencil to poke a hole large enough for your string to go through.
- Bake for two hours on a greased baking sheet.
- Allow them to cool.
- Put strings through the holes and tie a knot.
- Decorate the tree!
Notes
- Add a few drops of your favorite essential oils to boost the aroma.
For ingredients, I just used the cheapest I could find, which happened to be at Aldi - If you find the dough is cracking while rolling it out, add a few drops of water, knead the dough ball a bit longer, and try rolling again. The more you work the dough, the more it seems to behave.
- If painting, leave the back of the ornament bare to allow the cinnamon scent to still escape.
- Add homemade gift tags and give these away – they make great gifts!
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I absolutely love the idea of making cinnamon ornaments! The farmhouse aesthetic is so charming, and the scent must be divine while they bake. Can’t wait to try this with my kids for the holidays! Thanks for sharing such a lovely and fragrant project!
Hi there! I may be missing it, but I don’t see the ratio and/or quantities of cinnamon and applesauce. Thanks, Lisa!! Can’t wait to do this with my son!
It is at the bottom of the post in the DIY card. Hope that helps
Hey Lisa! I actually don’t see it there either!
It’s a 1:1 ratio. I use two cups of applesauce to two cups of cinnamon!
I must be blind because I don’t see them either.
It’s a 1:1 ratio. I use two cups of applesauce to two cups of cinnamon!
Perfect craft for the kids!
Please wear gloves when making these! Especially don’t let little bare hands knead the dough. I made them (years ago) and got huge blisters on my palms and can no longer eat cinnamon or hardly be near it. I have found out since that exposure to too much cinnamon can cause lifetime sensitivity.
Edible Cinnamon/Applesauce ornaments…or Save them for Years to come or Throw out after Tree comes down ?
Hey June… I would say to save them. Being out in the open to dust, etc, you may not want to eat them.