Cinnamon Ornaments

Homemade Cinnamon Ornaments are one of my favorite ways to bring warmth and festive charm into my home during the holiday season. Made with ground cinnamon, allspice, and cinnamon applesauce, these simple decorations fill my kitchen with a wonderful holiday fragrance while they bake. I love how the dough comes together with just three ingredients and transforms into beautiful, rustic ornaments that I can hang on my Christmas tree, add to garlands, or attach to wrapped gifts.

What makes these cinnamon ornaments especially appealing is how easy they are to customize. I can use different cookie cutters, colorful ribbons, and decorative details to create ornaments that match my holiday style. Best of all, these homemade decorations are a fun craft project that I can enjoy making with family and friends.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

⅔ cup ground cinnamon

2 tbsp ground allspice

½ cup cinnamon applesauce

Directions

Combine the Dry Ingredients:

I start by adding the ground cinnamon and ground allspice to a medium mixing bowl. I stir the spices together until they are evenly combined, making sure there are no large clumps.

Add the Applesauce:

Next, I add the cinnamon applesauce to the spice mixture. I stir everything together with a spoon or spatula until a thick dough begins to form. I continue mixing until the ingredients are well incorporated.

Knead the Dough:

Once the mixture comes together, I gently knead the dough with my hands until it becomes smooth and moldable. If I notice that the dough feels overly sticky, I sprinkle in a small amount of additional cinnamon and continue kneading.

I aim for a texture that is soft enough to roll but firm enough to hold its shape.

Roll Out the Dough:

I place the dough between two sheets of parchment paper and roll it out to approximately ¼-inch thickness. Using parchment paper helps prevent sticking and makes the dough easier to handle.

I try to keep the thickness even so that all the ornaments dry at approximately the same rate.

Cut Out the Ornaments:

After rolling out the dough, I carefully remove the top sheet of parchment paper. I use my favorite holiday cookie cutters to create festive shapes such as stars, Christmas trees, hearts, and snowflakes.

I gather the leftover dough, roll it out again, and continue cutting shapes until I have used as much dough as possible.

Prepare for Hanging:

I transfer the cut ornaments onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Before baking, I use a drinking straw or wooden skewer to create a small hole near the top of each ornament.

I make sure the hole is large enough for ribbon or twine and leave enough space around it to prevent the ornament from breaking.

Bake Until Dry:

I preheat my oven to 200°F (95°C) and place the baking sheet inside.

Then I bake the ornaments for approximately 2 hours, carefully turning them over halfway through the baking time. I check that they feel firm and dry before removing them from the oven.

If some ornaments are still soft or damp, I allow them to bake a little longer, checking frequently to prevent excessive darkening.

Cool and Decorate:

Once the ornaments are dry, I remove them from the oven and let them cool completely.

I then thread ribbon, string, or twine through the holes and tie each ornament securely. I love using rustic twine for a farmhouse-inspired look or colorful ribbon for a more traditional Christmas style.

These cinnamon ornaments are intended for decoration only and are not edible.

Servings and Timing

I find this recipe ideal for a small batch of homemade Christmas decorations, especially when I want a quick and affordable holiday craft.

Variations

Classic Cinnamon Star Ornaments:

I love using star-shaped cookie cutters for a timeless Christmas look. I finish the ornaments with simple red or cream-colored ribbon to create beautiful decorations for my holiday tree.

Rustic Gingerbread-Shaped Ornaments:

For a traditional farmhouse style, I cut the dough into gingerbread-person shapes. I sometimes add small decorative details with a skewer before baking to give each ornament extra character.

Snowflake Cinnamon Ornaments:

I use snowflake cookie cutters to create delicate winter-inspired decorations. I carefully handle these shapes because narrow edges can be more fragile after drying.

Extra-Spiced Holiday Ornaments:

When I want a slightly different fragrance, I replace a small portion of the cinnamon with ground cloves, nutmeg, or ginger. I keep the overall dry ingredient quantity similar so the dough remains easy to work with.

Personalized Gift Tag Ornaments:

I enjoy making these ornaments into reusable gift decorations. Before baking, I gently press initials or short names into the dough using letter stamps. Once dry, I attach them to wrapped Christmas presents with twine.

Natural Garland Decorations:

Instead of hanging each ornament separately, I thread several finished shapes onto a long piece of sturdy twine. I space them evenly to create a rustic garland for my mantel, shelves, or Christmas tree.

Storage/Reheating

How I Store Cinnamon Ornaments:

I always make sure my cinnamon ornaments are completely dry before putting them away. Any remaining moisture can cause the ornaments to soften or develop mold during storage.

I place them in a sturdy container with layers of parchment paper or tissue paper between them to prevent scratching and breakage. I store the container in a cool, dry location away from humidity and direct sunlight.

How Long Do Cinnamon Ornaments Last?

When properly dried and stored, I can often reuse my cinnamon ornaments for several holiday seasons. I know that their fragrance may gradually fade over time, but they can still remain attractive decorations.

I inspect stored ornaments before displaying them and discard any that show mold, significant softening, or deterioration.

Can I Refresh the Cinnamon Scent?

If I notice that the fragrance has faded, I can lightly dust the ornaments with a little ground cinnamon or place a cinnamon stick nearby when displaying them.

I avoid adding water or other liquids because moisture can soften the ornaments.

Do Cinnamon Ornaments Need Reheating?

I don’t reheat these ornaments as I would food. Once they are completely baked and dried, they are ready to use as decorations.

If I notice that an ornament has absorbed moisture, I prefer to assess its condition rather than automatically placing it back in the oven. Any ornament showing signs of mold should be discarded.

FAQs

Can I Make Cinnamon Ornaments Without Baking Them?

Yes, I can air-dry cinnamon ornaments instead of baking them. I place the cut shapes on parchment paper in a dry, well-ventilated area and allow them to dry for several days, turning them occasionally. Also I find that drying time depends on humidity, thickness, and ornament size. I make sure they are completely firm before storing or hanging them.

Why Is My Cinnamon Ornament Dough Too Sticky?

When my dough feels too sticky, I usually find that it contains slightly more moisture than needed. I fix this by adding a small amount of extra ground cinnamon and kneading until the dough becomes smooth and manageable. I add the cinnamon gradually to avoid making the dough too dry or crumbly.

How Do I Prevent Cinnamon Ornaments From Cracking?

I try to roll my dough to an even ¼-inch thickness and avoid making the ornaments too thin. I also handle delicate shapes carefully and bake them at a low temperature. If the dough seems dry or crumbly before rolling, I knead in a tiny amount of applesauce to improve its texture.

Can I Paint or Decorate Cinnamon Ornaments After Baking?

Yes, I can decorate completely dried cinnamon ornaments with acrylic craft paint, decorative ribbon, or other lightweight embellishments. I especially enjoy adding small white painted details to create a gingerbread-inspired appearance. I allow any paint to dry thoroughly before hanging or storing the ornaments.

Are Homemade Cinnamon Ornaments Safe to Eat?

No, I never eat these cinnamon ornaments or serve them as food. Even though the ingredients are familiar pantry items, the ornaments are intended strictly for decorative use. I keep them away from young children and pets who might mistake them for treats. I also wash my hands after handling large amounts of ground spices, especially if I have sensitive skin.

Conclusion

Homemade Cinnamon Ornaments are one of my favorite simple holiday crafts because they combine festive fragrance, creativity, and beautiful handmade decorations. With just three ingredients and a little preparation time, I can create charming ornaments that add a warm, rustic touch to my Christmas celebrations.

I especially love how versatile these ornaments are. Whether I hang them on my Christmas tree, use them to decorate gifts, or turn them into a fragrant holiday garland, they bring a personal touch to my seasonal decorating.

Making cinnamon ornaments has become a wonderful way for me to enjoy the holiday spirit while creating something meaningful and reusable. I love the cozy aroma that fills my kitchen during baking and the satisfaction of displaying decorations that I made by hand.

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