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Cinnamon Applesauce Ornaments

December 20, 2013

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So technically, this is a recipe, but not exactly edible.  But I just had to share it here because it’s such an easy, sweet little handmade idea.  You will love the way your house smells if you make these!  Little Boy #2’s preschool teacher makes this cinnamon applesauce dough with her class every year at Christmas time, and I love hanging these ornaments on my tree. I decided to make my own batch, and here are some ideas I came up with to decorate my cut outs.

Gingerbread Man Garland

I cut out ten handsome gingerbread men from my dough and poked two holes in the middle of each with the end of a straw.  I baked them and let them dry out, and then strung them together with some ribbon.

To make it easier to string your ribbon through the tiny holes, wrap Scotch tape around end of the ribbon, like a shoelace.  I used cookie cutters similar to these.

These guys hang from the hood in my Lovely Little Kitchen, and I enjoy their company immensely while I do all my baking.  This idea was inspired by Donna Hay.

Gingerbread Man Garland made from the Cinnamon Applesauce Dough.

Cinnamon and Cloves

I love how simple and natural this one is.  Just use sharp scissors to trim most of the stem off the clove, and press them into the dough before it dries.  Be sure to poke your hole for some twine before you bake them.  Smells so heavenly!

Cinnamon and Cloves Tree Ornament made with the Cinnamon Applesauce Dough.

Cute as a Button

Simply glue small neutral colored buttons onto the tree after it has dried out with hot glue.  Some ribbon and a little bow finish it off.

Button Tree Ornament made with the Cinnamon Applesauce Dough.

Star With Twine

This idea works well with a star cut out.  Just make holes with a straw while the dough is soft in the center of each point, and in between points.  Once the star is dry, weave twine in and out of the holes and tie a loop at the top to hang it by.  Once again, wrap Scotch tape around the end of your twine to make it easier to get it through the tiny holes.

Star with twine ornament made with the Cinnamon Applesauce Dough.

If  you make these cinnamon applesauce ornaments with kids, warn them that the dough is totally yucky and not to lick their fingers.  It smells so good, they might just want to taste it!  For an edible dough that is also great for doing cut outs with kids, try these homemade graham cracker snowflakes.

Another fun Christmas treat to make with kiddos is my Chocolate Covered Strawberry Christmas Trees!

Chocolate Covered Strawberry Christmas Trees
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Cinnamon Applesauce Ornaments - so easy, 2 ingredients. You will love the way your house smells when you make these!

Cinnamon Applesauce Ornaments

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.3 from 12 reviews
  • Author: Julie
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 2 hours
  • Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
  • Category: Holiday
  • Method: Bake
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Description

Had to share these applesauce cinnamon ornaments here because they are such an easy sweet little handmade idea.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups applesauce
  • 2 cups ground cinnamon***

Instructions

  1. Mix together equal parts cinnamon and applesauce until well incorporated and dough forms. If too sticky, add more cinnamon.*** You may need more cinnamon, depending on how thin the applesauce is.  I like to buy the cinnamon at the dollar store since quality isn’t important.
  2. Roll out dough between two pieces of parchment paper to 1/4 inch thickness.
  3. Cut out shapes and place them on a baking sheet.
  4. Bake at 200 degrees F for 2 hours.
  5. Allow the shapes to set out on a cooling rack for 24 hours to dry out completely.
  6. You can use sandpaper to smooth out the edges if they are jagged once the shapes are dry.
  7. Makes about 18 ornaments, depending on size.

Notes

I used cookie cutters similar to these.

Did you make this recipe?

Share a photo and tag us — we can’t wait to see what you’ve made!

Disclaimer: the links in this post for the cookie cutters are Amazon affiliate links.

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Filed Under: Christmas, Holidays

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Homemade Soft Caramels »

Comments

  1. onel says

    January 3, 2014 at 7:20 pm

    So cute!! I especially love the gingerman and the star, too bad I just found these cuties after Christmas 🙁

    Reply
    • Julie says

      January 3, 2014 at 7:36 pm

      Thanks- maybe next year :0)

      Reply
      • White Sandy says

        November 25, 2021 at 6:31 am

        Does it matter what kind of applesauce you use-sweetened or unsweet?

        Reply
  2. Connie says

    October 18, 2014 at 6:09 pm

    Gotta get to the store! Can’t wait to try this! Thanks:)

    Reply
    • Julie says

      October 18, 2014 at 7:41 pm

      You are very welcome Connie. Have fun!

      Reply
  3. J says

    November 1, 2014 at 2:38 pm

    CUTE! How long do these last? Is this something I need to re-do each year? (although that sounds like a fun idea anyway…but just wondering…)

    Reply
    • Julie says

      November 1, 2014 at 6:07 pm

      That’s a great question! I packed my gingerbread men away in some tissue paper last year, and I’m planning to hang it up in the kitchen again this December. I think it should be fine as long as you wrap it and box it up carefully each year, but last year was the first year I’ve made them.

      Reply
      • Shannon says

        December 8, 2014 at 9:34 pm

        Just curious how these were when you unpacked them this year.. Did they keep well? Thank you Julie!

        Reply
        • Julie says

          December 8, 2014 at 10:14 pm

          Hi Shannon, I was so happy when I unpacked these from my big box of Christmas goodies. They did keep very well! I had wrapped them in tissue paper and then put them inside a Zip-loc bag, and then in a box so they wouldn’t get smashed just to be on the safe side.

          Reply
          • melissa :) says

            September 5, 2017 at 2:51 pm

            YAY! that was just the question I was going to ask, glad they last! 🙂 And BTW great blog post/pics 🙂

          • Mk finley says

            January 17, 2020 at 9:27 am

            I make these and add in clear elmers glue to make them even more sturdy 😊

      • Lisa says

        December 2, 2016 at 5:21 pm

        I have some my niece made 20 years ago!! They dont smell as strong but I can still smell the cinnamon! I make them every year with my day care kids too.

        Reply
        • Julie says

          December 3, 2016 at 10:37 am

          How wonderful Lisa! I bet the kiddos love them!

          Reply
      • Kristy says

        October 12, 2017 at 3:44 am

        I made these back in the 90’s and they kept for about 4 years. I decorated my whole 8 foot tree with these, jingle bells, and tinsle. They never really lost their scent! Puffy paints work great to add detail and bits of color

        Reply
        • Julie says

          October 13, 2017 at 9:53 am

          So fun to get them out year after year!

          Reply
        • Ruth Ellen Epperson says

          November 18, 2020 at 9:12 pm

          I just made a cup of hot chocolate and added cinnamon in it. The cinnamon poured out way too fast and it made me think of the apple sauce cinnamon ornaments I made with my preschool class in the early 90’s. I sent them all home and did not get to keep one. I am glad this recipe is still known. The mom’s of my students said they smelled wonderful. I cannot image doing this with 17 three year olds now!

          Reply
          • Julie says

            November 19, 2020 at 7:24 am

            I can only imagine the mess with 17 three year olds! But what great memories they must have when they pull out those ornaments each year. I hope you get the chance to make these again, just for yourself… Happy baking!

      • Kimberly says

        January 15, 2018 at 3:58 pm

        I’ve just found a bag I made after 35 years and they smell like I made them yesterday.

        Reply
        • Admin countryhome says

          October 25, 2024 at 5:54 am

          Very Nice

          Reply
      • sand says

        December 15, 2020 at 6:16 am

        Hello everyone, mine were done 15 years ago and I’m still using them 😉 No particular thing to do

        Reply
    • Aimee says

      December 16, 2014 at 5:34 pm

      My daughters both made these in PreK and we hang them on our tree every year. My girls are now in third and first grade. They still smell good too. I just wrap them in tissue paper and put them in the box with the other ornaments.

      Reply
    • Cindy says

      November 9, 2020 at 12:59 pm

      I’ve had my gingerbread ornaments for 18 years and they look as good as the day I made them!

      Reply
  4. Melissa says

    December 21, 2014 at 2:21 pm

    I just got done putting these in the oven. They stuck pretty badly to the parchment. I started over and kept adding more cinnamon but they still stuck. Did yours stick at all?

    Reply
    • Julie says

      December 22, 2014 at 6:38 pm

      Melissa, I do remember that I had to gently peel them off the parchment, but it wasn’t really a problem. I wonder if some nonstick spray would be good?

      Reply
  5. Tonya says

    September 9, 2015 at 2:09 am

    A friend made ornaments for a CHRISTMAS wedding.

    Reply
  6. Darlene Rodgers says

    November 20, 2015 at 7:34 pm

    Where do you buy your cinnamon? Two cups seems to get very costly.. but I love this idea!!

    Reply
    • Julie says

      November 20, 2015 at 7:52 pm

      Great question! I found it at the 99 cents store.

      Reply
    • Amy Arvin says

      December 6, 2015 at 9:09 am

      I found it at Costco – HUGE bottle for $3.

      Reply
  7. dafna says

    December 12, 2015 at 2:05 pm

    may i ask why do you applesauce? ans would this be good to have it around all year long just for a nice aroma in the house? thx

    Reply
    • Julie says

      December 12, 2015 at 2:08 pm

      This recipe came from my son’s preschool class, and they just used applesauce. Cinnamon and apples are a nice combination :0) It mostly smells when it is baking and for a little while once it dries. If I smell the ornaments I made last year, they really just have a faint scent of cinnamon.

      Reply
  8. Bianca says

    December 14, 2015 at 7:10 pm

    A student gave me these type of ornaments as a Christmas gift 15years ago and I wrap them carefully and put them on my tree each year 🙂

    Reply
    • Julie says

      December 15, 2015 at 8:32 am

      That’s so sweet Bianca!

      Reply
    • Vickie bennett says

      October 24, 2017 at 12:07 pm

      These ornaments can “revived” by sanding them to reactivate the smell. Also I use small multi-color paper clips. Insert until just a loop
      of the paper clip is large enough to insert twine or ribbon can be threaded through for hanging.

      Reply
      • Julie says

        October 24, 2017 at 12:18 pm

        What a great tip! Thank you!

        Reply
  9. Siri says

    December 17, 2015 at 11:07 am

    I’m so sad, I can’t get these off of my cookie sheet without them crumbling, what did I do wrong?

    Reply
    • Julie says

      December 17, 2015 at 12:30 pm

      I’m not sure, Siri… Sorry! Was your dough crumbly before you baked it or did it roll out smoothly. Or was it a problem of the shapes sticking to the baking sheet? Wish I could be more helpful.

      Reply
      • Siri says

        December 17, 2015 at 7:57 pm

        I thought it rolled out pretty smooth, I’m definitely going to attempt again. I read a few other recipes and one put the shapes on tinfoil which I think I’ll do. I believe the issue was them sticking too much to the pan

        Reply
        • lori says

          December 7, 2016 at 6:50 am

          try spraying the foil with pam

          Reply
  10. Natasha Noble says

    December 22, 2015 at 7:42 am

    Hi my daughter and I just made these and I burnt them to a crisp after half an hour. I’m in the UK so I guess I got the temperature wrong. I did 200 degrees Celsius I guess this is wrong!! Shame as we have used up all our cinamon now 🙁

    Reply
    • Julie says

      December 22, 2015 at 8:07 am

      Oh Natasha, I’m sorry! 200 degrees Fahrenheit would be about 90 degrees Celsius. When I wrote this recipe a while back, I never thought it would be seen by anyone outside of the US. I will note that in the recipe so no one else will burn their ornaments!

      Reply
      • Natasha Noble says

        December 22, 2015 at 8:21 am

        I have leftover dough so I have the second batch in at 90 degrees Celsius! I’ll let you know how we get on 🙂

        Reply
    • Donna Robertson says

      December 1, 2020 at 1:01 pm

      I did exactly the same thing!!! Im in the UK and baked them at 200C absolutely burnt to a crisp so redid them at 80C. The house smells amazing!! I put applesauce and whole cloves in the Nutribullet and ground till smooth before mixing the cinnamon. Fantastic smells! Im so pleased!

      Reply
  11. Lisa says

    December 2, 2016 at 5:25 pm

    I’m confused on the twine on the Star. How do I get it all to show on the front and not every other hole?

    Reply
    • Julie says

      December 3, 2016 at 10:40 am

      Lisa,
      I think I just went around twice to fill in the gaps, starting in a different spot, but it’s been a little while since I made them so I’m not sure. Sorry not more helpful!

      Reply
  12. Rene says

    December 6, 2016 at 3:43 pm

    I’m just curious, what is the purpose of using the parchment paper vs just using the counter to roll it out?? I really want to make these with my daughter to give to people in the community 🙂

    Reply
    • Julie says

      December 6, 2016 at 6:58 pm

      It will help keep the counter clean and make moving the cut out ornaments easier. Have fun!

      Reply
  13. Sarah says

    December 12, 2016 at 4:41 am

    I’m interested in making the dough ahead of time and then baking the following day. Do you think the dough needs to be refrigerated in between? Or will that ruin the consistency of the dough? Thanks!!

    Reply
    • Julie says

      December 12, 2016 at 9:22 am

      Sarah, that’s a great question… I haven’t tried making it ahead so I’m not sure how it would affect the dough… I would think you could just refrigerate it and then let it come back to room temperature before rolling out, but without trying first, I’m not 100% sure.

      Reply
  14. Marilee says

    November 25, 2017 at 7:13 pm

    The gingerbread men garland is a darling idea. I’m thinking of making mini gingerbread houses.

    Reply
  15. Sarah says

    November 11, 2018 at 1:14 pm

    An idea on how long they last.
    My parents and I made some about 30 years ago. As long as they don’t get crushed they will last a very long time. 😎

    Reply
  16. Cheryl Gerstenlauer says

    December 9, 2018 at 12:25 pm

    I tried two batches and had a devil of a time moving the cut cookies! Too much applesauce….too wet. Too much cinnamon. ..too dry and crumbly. I ended up rolling out between plastic wrap, but still had an awful time moving them. I used organic cinnamon because it’s what I had. Do you think “organic” cinnamon made the difference? Not likely to try again! Very frustrated as I wanted to do with my granddaughter, but she would have heard some pretty “choice” words!! Lol Thanks.

    Reply
  17. Sarah says

    December 17, 2018 at 4:59 pm

    Love making these with the family! Thanks for sharing some new ideas for it!

    Reply
  18. Megan Muise says

    December 19, 2018 at 7:24 pm

    Worked wonderfully! We made ornaments for our kids gift exchange. They were able to help in the whole process and the ornaments came out beautifully. We used whole cloves to decorate and they are not only beautiful but smell great and were natural and fun to make. Thanks!

    Reply
  19. Nita says

    November 17, 2019 at 2:27 pm

    I made this recipe with old spices works fine .

    Reply
  20. Heidi says

    November 19, 2019 at 1:03 pm

    I made these last year with my son and he had a blast (he was 2) we are going to do this ever year as our new little tradition now. By chance have you used this recipe for gingerbread house molds?

    Reply
    • Julie says

      November 21, 2019 at 7:52 am

      I have not tried these as gingerbread molds, but I don’t see why they wouldn’t work? Glad you enjoyed!

      Reply
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Hi I'm Julie, and I spend a lot of time in my lovely little kitchen. I love gathering my family around simple delicious food. This is how I do it. Learn more →

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