Okay, raise your hand if you LOVE Christmastime!? I know I do. Christmas is without a doubt my favorite time of year. I get to bake seasonal treats, craft homemade decorations, and make thoughtful gifts. One simple and charming craft to add to your holiday repertoire is cinnamon cookie ornaments. They look like cookies and smell incredible, but they aren’t edible. They’re easy, inexpensive, and fun to make with kids or on your own. Below I’ll walk you through the method, offer a few helpful tips, and suggest easy variations so you can personalize your ornaments.
These ornaments require just two basic ingredients — cinnamon and applesauce — plus a rolling pin and cookie cutters. Optionally, you can stir in a bit of glitter for sparkle. The dough is forgiving: if a shape tears, simply knead the scraps, re-roll, and cut again. That makes this a great project for young children; it’s simple enough that a five-year-old can help with most steps. These ornaments work beautifully on the tree, but they also make attractive gift toppers or seasonal garlands.
Cinnamon Cookie Christmas Ornaments
Yields: a large batch, depending on cutter size
Ingredients:
1 cup ground cinnamon
1 cup applesauce
1–2 tablespoons craft glitter (optional)
Directions:
1. Preheat your oven to 200°F (about 95°C). Low, slow drying is key to keeping ornaments flat and evenly dry.
2. In a medium bowl, combine the ground cinnamon and applesauce. Mix until a dough forms. If you want a subtle sparkle, add the glitter and stir it in evenly.
3. Lay a sheet of wax paper on your counter and place the dough on top. Cover with a second sheet of wax paper and roll the dough with a rolling pin to about 1/4 inch (roughly 6 mm) thickness. This thickness dries reliably without cracking for most shapes.
4. Remove the top wax paper and use cookie cutters to cut your ornaments. Transfer the cut shapes to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Re-knead and re-roll scraps to make additional shapes.
5. Use a straw or a skewer to poke a small hole near the top of each ornament so you can thread ribbon through later.
6. Bake at 200°F for 2–3 hours depending on size: smaller ornaments often dry in about 2 to 2.5 hours; larger shapes can take closer to 3 hours. The ornaments should be firm and dry to the touch when finished.
7. Allow ornaments to cool completely on the baking sheet. Thread ribbon, twine, or baker’s string through the holes and hang.
Tips and variations:
– Work on a cool, dry surface. Very humid conditions can extend drying time and make the dough sticky.
– For smoother edges, dip your cutters in cinnamon before pressing, or clean edges with a small knife after cutting.
– If you want deeper color, use a mix of ground cinnamon with a tiny pinch of nutmeg or cocoa powder, but keep additions small to preserve texture.
– To add detail, gently press small stamps, cookie embossers, or textured rolling pins into the dough before baking.
– If you prefer a matte finish, leave ornaments plain. For a glossy look, brush them lightly with a clear craft sealer after they’re fully dry. Test any sealer on a scrap first to ensure it doesn’t darken the cinnamon too much.
– Glitter is optional; if you use it, choose fine craft glitter and mix into the dough for an all-over shimmer or sprinkle on top before baking for a subtler effect.
Storage and longevity:
These ornaments are dry and relatively sturdy when fully baked and cooled. Store extras in a cool, dry place between layers of tissue paper or in a shallow box to prevent scuffs. Keep them away from direct sunlight and high humidity to avoid softening or fading. With proper care, cinnamon ornaments can last for several holiday seasons and retain their warm fragrance.
Project ideas:
– Use matching ornaments as gift toppers to add a handmade touch to packages.
– Create a themed garland by stringing several ornaments together with ribbon or twine.
– Personalize ornaments with initials or dates pressed into the dough before baking for keepsakes or party favors.
These cinnamon cookie ornaments are an easy, inexpensive craft that adds a warm, homemade touch to holiday décor. They’re safe to make with children under supervision and provide a sensory-rich activity — the scent of cinnamon alone makes the process feel festive. Have fun experimenting with shapes, textures, and finishes to create ornaments you’ll enjoy year after year.