These aromatic cinnamon ornaments are simple to make with only applesauce and ground cinnamon — and when dried properly, they can last for years.
2-Ingredient Cinnamon Ornaments
Every year our family makes a new homemade Christmas ornament, and this year we returned to a favorite childhood craft: cinnamon-scented ornaments. They add a warm, cozy aroma to your home and look lovely on the tree.
These ornaments are made from just two pantry staples — applesauce and ground cinnamon — making them both inexpensive and easy. The finished pieces are rustic keepsakes that can be used for seasons to come if you remove as much moisture as possible during drying.
They’re a great holiday activity with kids, perfect for gifts, and you can cut them with your favorite cookie cutters: gingerbread people, angels, candy canes, stars — whatever fits your tree. After baking and drying, you can leave them plain for a natural look or decorate them with puffy paint or glitter glue.
Ingredients
- 1 cup applesauce (smooth)
- 3/4 cup ground cinnamon
Helpful Supplies
- Mixing bowl
- Parchment paper or silicone baking mat
- Rolling pin
- Baking sheet
- Christmas cookie cutters (about 4-inch max recommended)
- Holiday ribbon or twine
- Puffy paint or glitter glue (optional, for decorating)
Instructions
To prep: Preheat your oven to 200°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
- Combine the applesauce and ground cinnamon in a bowl. Mix until a cohesive dough forms. If it’s too crumbly, add a little more applesauce; if it’s too sticky, add a bit more cinnamon. Finish kneading by hand until smooth.
- Place the dough between two sheets of parchment paper and roll to about 1/4″ thickness. You can make them slightly thicker, but avoid rolling them thinner or they may break when dry.
- Use cookie cutters to cut shapes and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Before baking, make a small hole at the top of each ornament with a drinking straw or skewer so a ribbon or twine can be threaded through after baking.
- Bake at 200°F for 2 to 2 1/2 hours. Allow ornaments to cool completely on the baking sheet. If any spots still feel damp, bake a bit longer until fully dry. Once cooled and dry, thread ribbon or twine through the holes for hanging.
Prep Tips
- Ratios: Start with 1 cup applesauce to 3/4 cup cinnamon. Scale up as needed. Adjust texture by adding applesauce for moisture or cinnamon to firm it up.
- Rolling: Rolling between parchment sheets prevents sticking and makes transfer easy. Plastic wrap or wax paper can work if parchment isn’t available.
- Size: Keep shapes around 4 inches or smaller to reduce the chance of breakage once dry.
- Decorating: The ornaments are beautiful plain and suit a rustic tree. For added detail, use puffy paint or glitter glue after the ornaments are fully baked and cooled; allow any decorations to dry completely before storing or hanging.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of applesauce should I use?
Use smooth applesauce. Sweetened or unsweetened is fine, and applesauce with cinnamon added will work too. Avoid chunky varieties or those with added dyes or unusual flavors, as chunks make a less even dough.
Will cinnamon ornaments go bad?
If dried thoroughly, these ornaments can last for years. Bake low and slow to remove moisture without burning. If you spot mold or mildew, discard the ornament and make a fresh batch.
More Homemade Ornament Ideas
- Salt shaker snow globe ornaments
- Popsicle stick Christmas ornaments
- Baby bottle photo ornament for baby’s first Christmas
- Paper straw Christmas ornaments
- Cricut photo snow globe ornaments
- Orange pomander ornaments
Cinnamon Dough Ornament Recipe (Printable Directions)
If you tried this craft and liked it, please rate it!
Cinnamon Applesauce Ornaments
Equipment
- Mixing bowl
- Parchment paper
- Rolling pin
- Baking sheet
- Christmas cookie cutters
- Holiday ribbon or twine
- Puffy paint (optional)
Ingredients
- 1 cup applesauce
- 3/4 cup ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 200°F and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Mix applesauce and cinnamon until dough forms. Adjust with extra applesauce or cinnamon as needed and knead by hand.
- Roll between parchment sheets to 1/4″ thickness. Cut shapes and transfer to the lined sheet. Make a small hole at the top of each ornament before baking.
- Bake 2–2 1/2 hours at 200°F, then cool completely. If still damp, bake a bit longer. Thread ribbon or twine for hanging.
Notes
- Use the ingredient ratio as a starting point and scale as needed.
- Roll on parchment to prevent sticking; plastic wrap or wax paper can substitute.
- Keep ornaments small (around 4 inches) to reduce breakage.
- Decorate after baking; allow paints and glue to dry completely.
Pin our Cinnamon Applesauce Ornaments on Pinterest:
You might also like:
101 Kid-Made Christmas Ornaments