There’s something incredibly cozy about making cinnamon ornaments during the holidays, and this Cinnamon Ornaments: Homemade Holiday Craft Recipe is exactly the warm, fragrant project to get you in that festive spirit. I love these little crafts because they’re simple, inexpensive, and fill your whole home with that unmistakable spicy cinnamon scent that just screams “holiday.” Whether you’re decorating your tree, making gifts, or just enjoying a hands-on activity with family, these ornaments are a delightful treat for all ages.

This recipe is special because it uses just a few common pantry ingredients—ground cinnamon, allspice, and cinnamon applesauce—and transforms them into beautiful, natural decorations. You don’t need fancy supplies, and the crafting is fun and satisfying. Plus, the ornaments dry into a firm, rustic texture that lasts for years if stored properly. You’re going to love how easy it is to mix up a batch, get creative with shapes, and fill your home with delightful smells at the same time.

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients come together perfectly to create a dough that’s easy to work with and smells amazing. When shopping, aim for fresh ground cinnamon and allspice for the best aroma and color. The cinnamon applesauce not only adds moisture but also infuses the ornaments with extra spice flavor and helps them hold together without any synthetic binders.

Ground cinnamon: This is the star spice that gives the ornaments their classic scent. I like to reserve a little extra for dusting the dough if it feels too sticky.
Ground allspice: Adds a warm, complex note that complements cinnamon beautifully—don’t skip it!
Cinnamon applesauce: Acts as the natural binder and adds moisture, plus it deepens the cinnamon flavor. Homemade applesauce works great too.

Variations

I like to tweak this recipe sometimes depending on the season or who I’m crafting with. Don’t hesitate to add your own spin – that’s the fun of homemade crafts! Whether you want a stronger scent, a more intricate design, or to suit dietary/ingredient preferences, I’ve found a few tweaks that work great.

Extra spice kick: Adding a pinch of ground cloves or nutmeg really amps up the holiday vibes. I tried this last year and it made the ornaments smell like a Christmas market.
Glitter sprinkle: After shaping the ornaments, you can brush them lightly with a bit of egg white or water and dust some fine glitter—this gives them a magical sparkling finish, perfect for little ones to get involved.
Non-cinnamon alternative: If someone’s sensitive to cinnamon, you can swap ground ginger and cloves instead. The smell is different but still wonderfully spicy.
Gluten-free: Since you don’t bake these, they’re naturally gluten-free, but avoid any thickened applesauce brands with added wheat starch just to be safe.

How to Make Cinnamon Ornaments: Homemade Holiday Craft Recipe

Step 1: Mix the Spices and Applesauce into Dough

Start by placing 2/3 cup ground cinnamon and 2 tbsp ground allspice into a mixing bowl. Gradually add ½ cup cinnamon applesauce and stir with a spoon or your hands as it thickens. You want a pliable dough that’s not too wet or crumbly—if it feels too sticky, sprinkle in a bit more cinnamon, 1 tablespoon at a time. I like kneading it on a clean surface because it helps me feel when the texture is just right. It should hold together well enough to roll out.

Step 2: Roll Out and Cut Your Ornament Shapes

Once your dough is ready, lightly dust your surface with cinnamon and roll out the dough to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut fun holiday shapes like stars, trees, or hearts. If you don’t have cookie cutters, no worries—you can just shape them by hand or use the rim of a glass for circles. Remember to make a small hole near the top (use a straw or toothpick) so you can hang the ornaments later. This part is where I usually get the kids involved—they love pressing shapes and punching holes.

Step 3: Dry Them Slowly for Best Results

Place the ornaments on a parchment-lined baking sheet and let them dry naturally at room temperature for at least 24-48 hours. They’ll harden gradually, which helps avoid cracking. If you’re in a hurry, you can dry them in a low oven (around 200°F/95°C) for about 2 hours, flipping halfway through, but I prefer the slow-dry method because it preserves the smell better and keeps the texture perfect. Be patient—it’s worth the wait!

How to Serve Cinnamon Ornaments: Homemade Holiday Craft Recipe

A white plate holds a stack of brown spice ornaments shaped like leaves and flowers, each with a rough, grainy texture. The shapes have small holes near the top, threaded with red-and-white or green-and-white twisted strings tied into loops. The plate is set on a white marbled surface, and the background shows a soft white cloth and a burlap-wrapped plant with thin green leaves. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

Since these are decorative ornaments, I love adding colorful ribbons or rustic twine through the holes. Sometimes I’ll tie on a small cinnamon stick or a sprig of fresh evergreen for extra holiday charm. These little touches make the ornaments perfect for gifting or hanging on your tree with style.

Side Dishes

While this is a craft recipe and not edible, if you’re making these alongside your holiday treats, pairing them with freshly baked cookies or spiced cider creates a magical atmosphere. I like having a batch of gingerbread or snickerdoodles nearby while the cinnamon scent fills the room—it’s a full sensory celebration!

Creative Ways to Present

For parties or gift-giving, I like to nest the cinnamon ornaments in small clear boxes lined with festive tissue paper. Another idea is to string them all together as a cinnamon garland to decorate your mantel or window. One year, I even hung them on a wreath, and the house smelled heavenly every time the wind wafted through.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once your cinnamon ornaments are fully dried, I store them in an airtight container away from humidity to keep them firm. In my experience, they last for years if you keep them dry and don’t let them get crushed. If you do spot a slight soft spot, set them out again to air dry and they’ll firm up nicely.

Freezing

I haven’t tried freezing the dough or finished ornaments because the dough’s moisture content can mess with texture after thawing. Instead, I recommend making the dough fresh or storing dried ornaments to reuse year after year.

Reheating

Since these are ornamental and not for eating, reheating means refreshing their scent. I’ll sometimes toss the dried ornaments in a warm (not hot) oven for 5-10 minutes to bring out their fragrance before hanging them up again. Just be careful not to cook or burn them!

FAQs

Can I eat these cinnamon ornaments?

These cinnamon ornaments are made with edible ingredients but are designed as decorations, not food. They include spices and applesauce but lack sugar or flour to make them tasty as treats. Plus, they dry hard and can be bitter. So, while non-toxic, they aren’t really meant to be eaten.
How long do the ornaments take to dry?

For best results, allow the cinnamon ornaments to air dry 24-48 hours. This slow drying prevents cracking and keeps the scent strong. You can speed it up slightly in a low oven, but slow drying is preferred.
Can I use regular applesauce instead of cinnamon-flavored?

You can, but cinnamon applesauce adds extra spice and helps intensify the classic aroma. If you use plain applesauce, consider adding a little more cinnamon to the dough.
How do I hang the ornaments on my tree?

Make sure to punch small holes before drying. Then thread a ribbon, string, or twine through the hole and tie it. These lightweight ornaments hang beautifully on branches without weighing them down.
Can kids help make these cinnamon ornaments?

Absolutely! This Cinnamon Ornaments: Homemade Holiday Craft Recipe is kid-friendly and perfect for a fun holiday activity. Just watch them handling the dough and have cookie cutters ready for shaping.

Final Thoughts

Making cinnamon ornaments is one of those simple holiday rituals that brings so much joy and warmth—seriously, it feels like a big seasonal hug in dough form. I hope you give this Cinnamon Ornaments: Homemade Holiday Craft Recipe a try this year, whether it’s a solo cozy afternoon project or a festive craft time with friends and family. You’ll end up with beautiful handmade decorations that smell heavenly and add that personal touch to your holiday celebrations. Trust me, once you start, it becomes a tradition you’ll look forward to every season!