How to Make Cinnamon Applesauce Ornaments

My daughter first made cinnamon applesauce ornaments in her preschool class and I was just so fascinated by them! I couldn’t believe that cinnamon and applesauce together would dry solid and sturdy enough and that the applesauce would not attract pests.

Spices are natural preservatives and pest repellents, as I know from our apple pomanders and the dough does indeed dry solid but you need to give it time.

Materials:

• Applesauce
• Cinnamon
• Cookie Cutters
• Embellishments

Directions

1. Mix equal parts applesauce and cinnamon. (Next year, I actually plan to use a little more cinnamon to see if they dry more quickly)

2. Mix.

3. Refrigerate. I learned this trick after my first batch. It makes the dough hold its form better when you cut out the shapes.

4. Pat flat to about 1/2 inch thickness, or more, between two sheets of wax paper. (Note: The thicker they are, the sturdier they will be…but they will take longer to dry.

5. Use cookie cutters to cut out your shapes. I think the color and scent is perfect for gingerbread men.

6. Stick a toothpick in to make a hole. Allow to dry 3-4 days. Warm EVERYONE not to eat them. They are not toxic (obviously) but the amount of cinnamon in them will make your tongue burn.

7. Decorate with glue and sequins, googly eyes, yarn, trim, etc.

The one on the left is “Argos” (from Greek mythology) according to my three year old son. We gave that one to Grandma.

Educational Connections

• History and Culture: Find out about the origins of the gingerbread man.
• Literature: Read or tell the story of “You Can’t Catch Me…I’m the Gingerbread Man”. Ask your child, “Where would you hide if you were a gingerbread boy/girl?”
• Skills: Compare the different scents of spices. Try a “blind smell test” and see if you can identify various spices.
• History (Older Students): Where did most spices originate? Why were they so important in earlier history? Why are spices so closely associated with winter in our culture?