I made these cinnamon ornaments for our first Christmas tree when we were first married, and I have absolutely loved them ever since. There is something just so cozy about making handmade ornaments, in all their rustic and lovely imperfection. Perhaps it’s the old-fashioned girl in me that wishes I could sit in a log cabin, string popcorn garland, and hang these cinnamon ornaments on the tree I cut down in the woods. This is my way of capturing a piece of that, and I love it! They are most certainly farmhouse perfection!
It was the perfect activity to do with my kids. They helped with the measuring, stirring, rolling and cutting, and made sure the oven light was on so they could monitor their progress while they were baking. Once they were cool, they helped string the twine, and brush off remaining crumbs. We had to repeat over and over again that these were NOT to eat, and I think they’ve finally got it. :) I have a lot of stars on my tree, so that’s what we decided to do, but the beauty is, you can do whatever you like! You’ll see that our stars are not perfect, but in this case, their charm comes from their imperfection! It’s a tradition to make these, and it’s one we love every year!
One of the most wonderful things about making these ornaments is that they fill your home with the pungent and delightful aroma of cinnamon, and that will continue once they’re hung on your tree.
It’s super easy to do, and if you’re looking for an inexpensive way to trim your tree, this is a great option. The only two ingredients are applesauce and cinnamon, and for less than $5, you should be able to get at least 14 ornaments out of one batch. (That’s how many we were able to make–small/medium stars.) I tied my favorite red bakers twine on once mine were dry..and I’m in love. ♥
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SUPPLIES YOU’LL NEED:
Cinnamon (the 4.12 oz bottle is exactly enough!)
Applesauce
Cookie Cutters (gingerbread are my favorite, but I also do Christmas trees!)
Ribbon (I like red gingham) or
Check out this video to see even more details!
Handmade Cinnamon Ornaments
TREE ORNAMENT: DO NOT EAT!!!
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup applesauce
- 1 cup cinnamon ( or 1-4.12 bottle of McCormick Cinnamon)
- 2 tablespoons cinnamon
- cookie cutters
- drinking straw
- ribbon, twine, or jute
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 200°F. Mix applesauce and cinnamon (1 cup + 2 Tablespoons or a 4.12 oz. bottle of McCormick Cinnamon) in small bowl until a smooth ball of dough is formed. (You may need use your hands to incorporate all of the cinnamon.) *I ended up adding a little more applesauce--mine was still a little crumbly. Using about 1/4 of the dough at a time, roll dough to 1/4-inch to 1/3-inch thickness between two sheets of plastic wrap. Peel off top sheet of plastic wrap. Cut dough into desired shapes with 2- to 3-inch cookie cutters. Make a hole at top of ornament with drinking straw. Place ornaments on baking sheet. *I covered my sheet with parchment first.
2. Bake 2 1/2 hours. Cool ornaments on wire rack. (Or, to dry ornaments at room temperature, carefully place them on wire rack. Let stand 1 to 2 days or until thoroughly dry, turning occasionally.)
3. Insert ribbon (I used bakers twine!) through holes and tie to hang on your tree!
Recipe Notes
WARNING: DO NOT EAT!! TREE ORNAMENT ONLY!!!
Christina says
Nov 13, 2012 at 11:44 amYay! Because I bought the bakers twine from the Twinery! Thank you for another way to use it! I will do this in my classroom as well! I can’t wait!
simply {kierste} says
Nov 13, 2012 at 8:55 pmYay! I’m so glad you got some twine–you are going to LOVE it!!!
Sarah says
Dec 16, 2013 at 6:29 pmHow many ornaments does one batch usually make, I know it depends on size iof cookie cutter
simply {kierste} says
Dec 16, 2013 at 7:54 pmI used a medium size cutter, and I got about 15-18 ornaments!
Shannon says
Nov 13, 2012 at 2:13 pmWhat a wonderful idea. I bet the house smells amazing when you come back inside. Thanks!
simply {kierste} says
Nov 13, 2012 at 8:54 pmThe way the house smells is one of my favorite things about it, Shannon!!!
katie says
Nov 13, 2012 at 3:07 pmOne of these years I will make these ornaments…perhaps this is the year! I need to get me a star shaped cookie cutter :)
simply {kierste} says
Nov 13, 2012 at 8:54 pmYes you do, Miss Katie!!! Mine is by Wilton–I got it at JoAnn Fabrics using a 40% off coupon, and it was pretty cheap.
Michelle says
Nov 13, 2012 at 3:47 pmOh I love making these! Love the idea with the twine :) Thanks for the inspiration everyday……your blog is my happy place!
xo
simply {kierste} says
Nov 13, 2012 at 8:51 pmThank you so much, Michelle!!! The twine is lovely–it’s definitely one of my favorite things!
Amanda Barton-Epple says
Nov 13, 2012 at 5:10 pmI keep looking at this idea on Pinterest, but hadn’t decided whether to try them. You make them sound so wonderful and easy. I’ll have to look for baker’s twine – it’s so pretty. Thanks for the inspiration!
simply {kierste} says
Nov 13, 2012 at 8:51 pmDefinitely try them! They really are easy, and totally worth it. You’ll have to let me know if you do. :)
Cookie 17 says
Nov 13, 2012 at 7:51 pmHey I love these I’ve have some I made about 15 yrs & they still have smell.But I put them in plastic shoe boxes when done & it keeps smell .Going have get them out see if they like that this yr. Thank’s …
simply {kierste} says
Nov 13, 2012 at 8:50 pmMine lasted for a long time too, Cookie–I love it! It’s nice to know that I can have them for awhile, and it’s so fun to open that box each year and have that yummy smell come pouring out! XO
Laura says
Nov 13, 2012 at 8:22 pmWhat a neat idea! Thanks for the printable version, I have already printed this out to do with my 4 year old. I really enjoy your blog, you have such great ideas. :)
simply {kierste} says
Nov 13, 2012 at 8:49 pmThank you so much, Laura!!!! XO It really is so fun to do with kids–mine are still talking about it, lol.
crafty couple says
Nov 14, 2012 at 1:15 pmThese are so cute and I bet they smell delicious, I am old fashioned too and am hoping to do an old fashioned Christmas tree this year…I will be adding these. Thanks for sharing
Cecilia says
Nov 14, 2012 at 5:00 pmKierste! What perfect timing – I am printing the recipe out as I type – I have been looking for rustic type ornaments to make for my farmhouse tree and these will be a perfect addition. Thank you for sharing! I can’t wait to make these. :)
Kirstylee says
Nov 16, 2012 at 11:47 amI can’t wait to try these with my kiddos. They will love them!
kathy says
Nov 17, 2012 at 9:31 pmI made these years ago and they fell apart. Would you recommend adding a little white glue to the mixture? I would love to make these for my pre-k students. We do a gingerbread man unit and these would be the perfect gift.
simply {kierste} says
Nov 18, 2012 at 7:57 amI think you could do a trial batch and see what happens, or even search for another recipe that uses white glue. If you’re going to do it via trial and error, I would start with a smaller amount, and move up from there.
I’ve never had mine fall apart once they were baked, but I can see with pre-k students how that might be a problem. :) Good luck!!!
Cooper's Mom says
Dec 13, 2012 at 1:45 pmI’ve seen some recipes that use glue (Martha Stewart for one), but it may just be that the ornaments were too thin. I’ve had that problem when I tried to stretch the last of the dough. :)
Cooper's Mom says
Dec 13, 2012 at 1:44 pmThank you so much! My mom tried a recipe with bad proportions and it was an awful experience. She was ready to scrap the project. This one was so much easier and even gave me confidence to try making sugar cookies for the first time. The ornaments are lovely!
simply {kierste} says
Dec 13, 2012 at 1:46 pmOh, I’m so glad!! It is a great recipe, and I’m so happy it turned out for you, and that you tried sugar cookies, too! Merry Christmas!!!! XO
Andrea Lawyer says
Dec 17, 2012 at 1:05 pmGreat recipe, thanks. One note, my teenage daughter had an allergic reaction to the cinnamon. We had no idea she was sensitive.
laura says
Dec 18, 2012 at 7:01 amHi, I’m so glad I stumbled upon your site! I’m wondering if you have ever decorated these and what you would recommend to do so…. I want to make these for a third grade party and have them decorate them (but quick and minimal mess).
Acrylic paint (on pencil erasers for eyes and cheeks)
Sharpie markers?
Puff paint?
Thank YOU!!!
simply {kierste} says
Dec 19, 2012 at 11:41 amHi there! I think Sharpies would be quick and easy, and they make them in a variety of fun holiday colors–red, green, gold, and silver. I think it would be less messy than paint, but you could certainly use the paint bottles with the pointed tip, so it would be easy to draw with. You could also experiment with stamps–Christmas stamps, monograms, etc.!
Good luck, and have fun!!! XO
Krista Tipton says
Nov 18, 2013 at 4:58 pmHey Keirste…I’m so excited about trying to make these ornaments! Quick questions though…The recipe shows 1 c. + 2 T. of cinammon (1 bottle-4.12 oz McCormick cinammon). So are you saying just use one 4.12 oz container or use McCormick brand cinammon to make up the 1 cup that it calls for? Sorry for being so literal, I just want to be sure I get it right. :-)
simply {kierste} says
Nov 18, 2013 at 9:15 pmThanks for the question–I can see how that would be confusing! I just wanted to indicate how much came in one bottle of cinnamon–I did use that bottle to make up the cup + 2 T. I’m so excited you’re making these—they smell SO good, and are so cute!!
Melissa says
Nov 30, 2013 at 11:46 amThank you for such clear, simple instructions! I just printed and have my supplies to make these today with a friend and her daughter. I appreciate your site! Merry Christmas!
simply {kierste} says
Nov 30, 2013 at 11:58 amYou are so welcome!!! I think you’re going to love them–they smell amazing! What a fun thing to get together with friends–have a great time! Merry Christmas! xo
Laura says
Dec 1, 2013 at 7:07 pmThank you for the inspiration to make these! My daughter and I had a blast making them today and they made the house smell wonderful :)
simply {kierste} says
Dec 1, 2013 at 11:40 pmThe smell is one of my very favorite things about these ornaments. ☺ So glad you made them, loved them, and had a great time!! xoxo
Sherry says
Dec 1, 2013 at 11:34 pmThese are fantastic. Thank you for the easy recipe. I am doing these up for our family christmas party. Not only will they smell great but the family will have something great to take with them.
simply {kierste} says
Dec 1, 2013 at 11:39 pmYou are so welcome! Have a wonderful party!!! xoxo
Claire says
Dec 2, 2013 at 2:36 pmMade these today and they turned out so great! Our house smells like heaven!! :)
simply {kierste} says
Dec 2, 2013 at 8:23 pmYay!!! I’m so glad!! I’ll tell you, their fabulous smell is one of my favorite things about them! Merry Christmas!! xoxo
sarah says
Dec 3, 2013 at 4:29 amWow! I love these decs! Used a similar recipe and was so skeptical about the ingredient apple sauce!
I also LOVE the smell :D
But I LOVE how they turned out! in true smileyculture style I think I over decorated them! Would love to see what you think
http://www.smileyculture.com/homemade-cinnamon-christmas-decorations/
simply {kierste} says
Dec 3, 2013 at 9:22 pmThey turned out darling! Thanks for sharing!
Natasha says
Dec 9, 2013 at 12:52 pmIf I don’t have a wire rack, is it okay to leave them on a baking sheet to cool? Thanks! :)
simply {kierste} says
Dec 9, 2013 at 3:17 pmYes, I think it would be worth a try! You maybe could even try moving them to a sheet of wax paper, in case they keep baking on the hot cookie sheet.
Pam says
Nov 14, 2014 at 9:56 pmIf you have an extra oven rack you can use it for a cooling rack. Just take it out of the oven before you turn it on and cover it with either parchment paper or wax paper. Although if you use parchment paper on the cookie sheet just slide it onto the cold oven rack.
Simply Kierste says
Nov 15, 2014 at 8:22 amThanks, Pam–great idea!!! xoxo
Marla Dee says
Nov 24, 2014 at 7:21 pmI make these every year with my nieces and nephews! We love the way they turn out and they always smell sooo good!
Simply Kierste says
Nov 25, 2014 at 4:01 pmYes–the smell is one of the best parts. :)
Kylerboys says
Dec 11, 2014 at 11:53 amI made these with my cub scouts last night–they were easy and turned out super cute! Thanks Kierste!!!
Simply Kierste says
Dec 15, 2014 at 9:07 pmYay! So glad you guys had a great time making them!!! xoxo
Jennifer says
Nov 7, 2015 at 1:20 pmDo you throw them away after the one season, or do they keep for several years?
Simply Kierste says
Nov 8, 2015 at 3:41 pmMine have lasted several seasons! I usually make them every few years, but I’ve always been pleased with how long we are able to keep them. Keeping them in a cool, dry place makes a difference too! xoxo
Betty Grimes says
Dec 5, 2015 at 12:54 pmI would love to make these, but I have one question first…does this recipe use sweetened or unsweetened applesauce?
Simply Kierste says
Dec 5, 2015 at 10:50 pmI don’t think it matters, since they’re not for eating. I think you can use either one!
Heather N says
Nov 30, 2016 at 8:16 pmI have some in the oven now! Just made a small batch as a “trial run” but since they turned out so great and smelling wonderful I will defanitly be making more over the weekend! Thank you for the recipe…it will be a new tradition adding to every year!
Heather N says
Nov 30, 2016 at 8:19 pmI just pulled a small batch out of the oven. I wanted to do a “trial run” and since they came out looking and smelling wonderful I will defanitly be making more this weekend! This will be our new tradition and adding on new shapes every year! Thank you!
Simply Kierste Design Co. says
Nov 30, 2016 at 9:34 pmYAY! I’m so happy to hear this! They really are such a fun tradition, and I’m glad you love them and are adding them to your lineup. :) xoxo