These aromatic cinnamon ornaments are easy to make with just 2 ingredients: applesauce and ground cinnamon. And they last for years!

Cinnamon Applesauce Ornaments

Every year our family has the tradition of making a different type of homemade Christmas ornament.

This year I wanted to try the cinnamon scented ornaments that I remember making as a child. Cinnamon is one of my favorite aromas and these homemade ornaments not only look beautiful, but they make the whole living room smell amazing as they brighten up your Christmas tree!

Another thing I love about these easy homemade cinnamon ornaments is that they are made with just two simple ingredients: applesauce and ground cinnamon. You may already have these items in your pantry! This is a Christmas craft that is both easy and thrifty…but you end up with gorgeous keepsakes that can be used year after year. And they keep their scent!

So whether you’re looking for a fun activity to do with the kids over holiday break or a handmade gift idea, these vintage cinnamon apple sauce ornaments are absolutely perfect! You can use your favorite Christmas cookie cutters to make a gingerbread man, angel, candy cane, or whatever you’d like to adorn your tree. And then you can decorate them too!

Ingredients

Note: I’ve included affiliate links for your convenience in finding supplies used to make our homemade cinnamon ornaments; disclosure policy available here.

1 cup applesauce
3/4 cup ground cinnamon

Helpful Supplies

Instructions

To Prep: Preheat oven to 200°F and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.

Mix together the cinnamon and applesauce until a cohesive dough forms. If the mixture is too crumbly, add more applesauce. If it is sticky, add more cinnamon. Finish kneading by hand.
Roll out the dough between 2 sheets of parchment paper to 1/4″ thickness. The ornaments can be slightly thicker, but not thinner or they’ll break.
Cut dough using Christmas cookie cutters into your favorite shapes. Place the ornaments on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Make a small hole in the top of each ornament BEFORE baking so you can tie a ribbon on them when they’re done. A drinking straw works perfectly for this task.
Bake for 2 – 2 1/2 hours at 200°F. Allow to cool completely before decorating. Thread a piece of twine or ribbon through the hole in each ornament for hanging on the tree.

Prep Tips

Amounts – Use our ingredient amounts as a starting point. We used 3/4 cup ground cinnamon to 1 cup applesauce. To make a bigger batch, simple double or triple the ingredients. If your cinnamon dough feels to sticky, work in a bit more cinnamon. If it is too crumbly or won’t hold together, work in more applesauce until you have the right consistency.
Rolling the Dough – We used parchment paper to roll out our ornaments because it is easy to handle and doesn’t stick to the dough. In a pinch you could use two sheets of plastic wrap or wax paper.
Ornament Size – I recommend using cookie cutters no larger than the 4-inch size. These ornaments should last for a long time, but if you make them too large, they will be easier to break.
Decorations – I think these ornaments look beautiful all on their own and they go perfectly with a rustic Christmas theme. You can also use puffy paint or glitter glue to decorate them, just like you would Christmas cookies. If using paint or glue, be sure to allow it to do this step AFTER the ornaments have been baked and allow the glue to air dry. Kids definitely love the decorating part and it makes a fun holiday craft that will keep them busy for hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is The Best Type Of Applesauce To Use?

You can really use any type of applesauce for this project, as long as it is smooth. It doesn’t matter if it is sweetened or unsweetened or if it already has cinnamon in the applesauce. I would stay away from anything with added flavors or dyes just in case. You also don’t want to use chunky applesauce because it won’t make a smooth dough and it may be harder to get all the moisture out during baking.

Do Cinnamon Ornaments Go Bad?

Your homemade cinnamon ornaments can last for years if they are baked correctly. When baking, you want to make sure that all of the moisture is gone, but that you don’t burn them. That’s why we bake them slow and low for at least 2 hours. If it looks like there are still damp spots, you can bake them a little longer.

If you ever notice any signs of mold or mildew on your ornaments, it’s time to toss them and make a new batch.

More Homemade Ornament Ideas

Cinnamon Dough Ornament Recipe (Printable Directions)

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wooden board with an array of homemade cinnamon Christmas ornaments.

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