Cinnamon Applesauce Ornaments

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

I have such fun decorating our family’s Christmas trees. Yes, TREES. Plural. We have our big tree that is beautifully decorated in our front room, a small Norwegian and Swedish tree in our dining room, and a small kitchen tree, decorated with miniature kitchen utensils and cinnamon applesauce ornaments. I'm hoping to have another big tree upstairs in our loft this year as well, and one in our downstairs movie theatre by next year. I am giddy just thinking about it! Okay, back to the ornaments. They are very simple to make, last for years, and make the house smell wonderful! And who doesn't love a spicy aroma wafting from the kitchen this time of year? It just shouts Christmas! By the way, kids of all ages will have fun joining you in the kitchen to make these, so let them help, and make some memories together!

Here’s what you may need to pick up at the store if you don’t have them on hand:

Applesauce. Cinnamon. Cookie Cutters. Material Scraps or Twine.

Easy, right? Let’s get started!

Directions, adapted from McCormick.com:

Preheat oven to 200° F.
In a bowl, mix together 3/4 c. applesauce and 1 cup + 3 T. cinnamon until well incorporated and smooth.
Sprinkle cinnamon on a cutting board, and roll out dough to 1/3″ thickness.
Cut out with small cookie cutters.
Carefully place cut outs on an unprepared cookie sheet.
Using a straw, poke a hole at the top of each ornament, as shown in the picture at the top.
Bake in oven for 2-1/2 hours, until hard. I kept mine in for an additional 15 minutes.
Cool on a wire rack.
Cut or tear strips of muslin, homespun, or twine for each ornament. I used coffee-stained muslin. Mmmm, smells delicious!
Place a strip through the hole of each ornament and knot at the top.
Hang on tree!

These will last for years if stored carefully in an airtight container!
Note: even though these are made with just applesauce and cinnamon, they are not edible. Trust me.
These look FABULOUS when dusted with a fine champagne or bronze colored glitter.

Here is a picture of my kitchen tree from last year. It was a work in progress when I snapped the pic.

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