Applesauce and Cinnamon Ornaments: Natural Holiday Craft Guide

Applesauce and cinnamon ornaments are natural, non-toxic holiday decorations made from a simple mixture of applesauce and ground cinnamon that can be shaped, dried, and displayed. These aromatic ornaments provide a chemical-free crafting option that's safe for children and creates a warm, festive scent throughout your home during the holiday season.

Creating homemade applesauce and cinnamon ornaments is a cherished holiday tradition that combines sensory enjoyment with craft creativity. These natural decorations offer a chemical-free alternative to store-bought ornaments while filling your home with a warm, spicy aroma reminiscent of autumn harvests and winter celebrations. The simple recipe requires just two main ingredients, making it an accessible project for families, classrooms, and craft enthusiasts of all skill levels.

The Benefits of Natural Cinnamon Ornaments

Unlike mass-produced holiday decorations that often contain plastics and synthetic materials, applesauce and cinnamon ornaments provide several distinct advantages. They're completely non-toxic, making them ideal for households with young children or pets. The natural ingredients create a pleasant, long-lasting fragrance that enhances your holiday atmosphere without artificial scents. These ornaments also represent a sustainable crafting option, using pantry staples rather than specialized craft supplies that might go to waste.

Many families appreciate how this traditional craft connects generations, with grandparents sharing techniques they learned as children. The process develops fine motor skills in children while creating meaningful keepsakes that can be cherished for years. When stored properly, these ornaments can last multiple holiday seasons, becoming family heirlooms that carry memories of crafting sessions past.

Essential Ingredients and Tools

The beauty of this applesauce cinnamon ornaments recipe lies in its simplicity. You'll need just a few basic items from your kitchen:

Ingredient/Tool	Quantity	Notes
Unsweetened applesauce	1 cup	Plain variety without added sugar or spices
Ground cinnamon	2-3 cups	Freshly ground provides strongest scent
Cookie cutters	Various shapes	Simple shapes work best for beginners
Rolling pin	1	Or clean wine bottle in a pinch
Toothpicks	Several	For creating hanging holes

Step-by-Step Ornament Creation Process

Follow these straightforward steps to create your own applesauce and cinnamon ornaments that will become treasured holiday decorations:

1. Prepare your workspace: Cover your surface with parchment paper or a silicone mat to prevent sticking. Have all ingredients and tools ready before beginning.
2. Mix ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine one cup of unsweetened applesauce with approximately two cups of ground cinnamon. Stir thoroughly until the mixture resembles thick dough. Add additional cinnamon (up to one more cup) until you achieve a moldable consistency that holds its shape when pressed.
3. Knead the dough: Transfer the mixture to your prepared surface and knead like bread dough for 3-5 minutes until smooth and pliable. If too sticky, add more cinnamon; if too dry, add a teaspoon of applesauce.
4. Roll and cut shapes: Roll the dough to approximately 1/4-inch thickness using your rolling pin. Press cookie cutters firmly into the dough to create your desired shapes. Gently remove excess dough between cutters.
5. Create hanging holes: Before the ornaments dry, use a toothpick to poke a small hole near the top edge of each ornament for hanging.
6. Dry completely: Place cut ornaments on a drying rack or parchment-lined tray. Allow to air dry for 3-7 days, flipping occasionally, until completely hardened throughout.

Drying and Preservation Techniques

Proper drying determines whether your applesauce cinnamon ornaments will last through the holiday season and beyond. The air-drying process requires patience but yields the best results for scent retention and structural integrity. Place ornaments in a single layer on a wire rack to ensure air circulation on all sides. In humid environments, drying may take up to a week, while drier climates might require only 3-4 days.

For those seeking faster results, some crafters use a low-temperature oven method (170°F/75°C for 2-3 hours), though this reduces the final scent strength. Never use higher temperatures as they'll cause burning and diminish the natural fragrance. Once completely dry, you can enhance longevity by lightly spraying ornaments with clear acrylic sealant, though this will slightly reduce the cinnamon aroma.

Creative Variations and Personalization

While traditional applesauce and cinnamon ornaments delight with their simple beauty, numerous creative variations can personalize your holiday decorations:

• Natural embellishments: Press whole cloves, dried citrus slices, or small pinecones into the dough before drying
• Color infusion: Add natural food coloring or beet powder for subtle hues
• Texture techniques: Use textured rolling pins or press lace patterns into the surface
• Personalized messages: Create letter-shaped ornaments to spell names or holiday greetings
• Edible additions: Mix in finely ground nuts or dried fruit for visual interest

Consider making miniature versions as gift toppers or larger statement pieces for your tree. Some crafters create cinnamon ornaments in the shape of snowflakes, stars, or holiday symbols that become family traditions year after year.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even experienced crafters encounter challenges with applesauce and cinnamon ornaments. Understanding these common problems helps ensure success:

• Ornaments cracking during drying: Usually caused by drying too quickly. Move to a more humid location or cover loosely with a cloth to slow the process.
• Mixture too sticky: Add more cinnamon gradually until workable consistency is achieved. Avoid adding flour as it diminishes the natural scent.
• Weak cinnamon aroma: Use freshly ground cinnamon rather than older spice cabinet stock for stronger fragrance.
• Ornaments not holding shape: The mixture likely needs more cinnamon. Properly prepared dough should hold sharp edges when cut.
• Mold development: Indicates insufficient drying. Discard affected pieces and ensure future batches dry completely in a well-ventilated area.

Storage Recommendations for Longevity

With proper storage, your homemade applesauce and cinnamon ornaments can last for multiple holiday seasons. Store completely dried ornaments in an airtight container with layers separated by tissue paper. Include silica gel packets to absorb moisture that could cause deterioration. Keep containers in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight, which can fade colors and diminish scent.

When displaying ornaments, avoid hanging them in direct sunlight or near heat sources like fireplaces or heating vents. Consider rotating which ornaments you display each year to preserve your collection. If the scent fades over time, you can refresh ornaments by placing them in a sealed container with a few drops of cinnamon essential oil for 24-48 hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do applesauce and cinnamon ornaments take to dry completely?

Applesauce and cinnamon ornaments typically require 3-7 days to air dry completely, depending on humidity levels and ornament thickness. Thinner ornaments (1/4 inch) usually dry in 3-4 days in average humidity, while thicker pieces may need up to a week. The ornaments should feel completely hard throughout with no soft spots when pressed gently. Humid environments extend drying time, while dry climates may reduce it. Always ensure complete drying before storage to prevent mold development.

Can I use sweetened applesauce for making cinnamon ornaments?

While unsweetened applesauce works best for traditional cinnamon ornaments, you can use sweetened varieties with adjustments. Sweetened applesauce contains additional moisture from sugar, requiring more cinnamon to achieve the proper dough consistency—typically an extra 1/2 to 1 cup. The added sugar may cause slight browning during drying but won't affect the final product's integrity. For the strongest cinnamon aroma and most authentic results, unsweetened applesauce remains the preferred choice as it doesn't compete with additional flavors.

What's the ideal cinnamon to applesauce ratio for perfect ornaments?

The ideal ratio starts with 1 cup of unsweetened applesauce to 2 cups of ground cinnamon, with additional cinnamon added as needed to achieve a moldable dough consistency. Most crafters find they need between 2.5 to 3 cups of cinnamon total. The perfect mixture should hold its shape when pressed but not feel overly dry or crumbly. If your dough sticks to your fingers, add more cinnamon; if it won't hold detailed shapes, it needs additional applesauce. Freshly ground cinnamon provides the strongest fragrance and best binding properties for long-lasting ornaments.

How can I make my cinnamon ornaments last for multiple holiday seasons?

To ensure your applesauce and cinnamon ornaments last for multiple years, complete drying is essential—allow 5-7 days rather than the minimum 3. Store ornaments in airtight containers with silica gel packets to control moisture. Place tissue paper between layers to prevent scratching. Keep containers in a cool, dark location away from temperature fluctuations. When displaying, avoid direct sunlight and heat sources. For added protection, you can apply a light coat of clear acrylic sealant after complete drying, though this will slightly reduce the natural cinnamon scent. Properly stored ornaments can maintain their integrity and fragrance for 5-10 years.