Helping my mom decorate her Christmas tree this year was bittersweet. This will be the last Christmas in Pap-poo's house. So many of the ornaments and decorations conjured up some sort of fond memories. However, I found it really was the handmade decorations and ornaments that held a lot of memories for me. Whether they are ceramics painted by Pap-poo, glass ornaments adorned by my sister-in-law, or handmade beaded ornaments that Pap-poo hung on the tree every year, each has a special story.
I made these applesauce and cinnamon ornaments last year with Sweet Girl when she was 3 1/2 years old. The dough can be a bit stiff, but younger children can definitely help with the mixing, cookie cutters and threading pretty ribbon through the holes for hanging after the ornaments are dry.
We watched this YouTube video a couple of times before we started the process. It was fun for my daughter to see other children doing the project and it got her excited about making the ornaments.
Sweet Girl made a special ornament for everyone on our list. We taped them to the front of their Christmas cards and she delivered each one during our Christmas celebration.
Please note that this dough IS NOT for eating. We had one family member take a bite of his ornament thinking it was just a cookie. Oops! I should've warned everyone ahead of time. Needless to say, I made an announcement at that point. :) None of the ingredients will hurt you, but the ornaments are very hard.
These ornaments smell very nice on the tree and will retain their smell for some time.
Applesauce & Cinnamon Ornaments from www.mccormick.com
(Makes 12 to 15 ornaments)
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 2 1/2 hours or 1 to 2 days drying time
Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup applesauce
- 1 bottle (4.12 ounces) McCormick® Cinnamon, Ground
Supplies Needed:
- Bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Cookie sheet
- Rolling pin
- Plastic Wrap
- Cookie cutters
- Drinking straw or skewer
- Wire rack
- Colorful ribbon (pretty yarn or string will work, too)
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 200°F.
- Mix applesauce and cinnamon in small bowl until a smooth ball of dough is formed. (You may need use your hands to incorporate all of the cinnamon.)
- 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 (or two for larger ornaments) at top of ornament with drinking straw or skewer. Place ornaments on baking sheet. (I suggest making the holes after the ornaments are on the cooking sheet as they are more vulnerable to breaking when trying to transfer them.)
temperature, carefully place them on wire rack. Let stand 1 to 2 days or until
thoroughly dry, turning occasionally.
7. Insert ribbon through holes and tie to hang. Decorate with opaque paint markers,
found in arts and crafts stores, if desired.
Test Kitchen Tip: If a different size bottle of cinnamon is used, measure 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons cinnamon.
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