Applesauce Cinnamon Ornaments

Nothing smells like Christmas to me as much as cinnamon, cloves, and ginger. It brings back memories of Christmas at my Aunt's house when our whole family gathered together. Memories of -- the smell of her Pumpkin Pie and the smell of a real pine tree, memories of relatives' voices and chatter of conversations from different rooms (some quiet, some NOT so quiet), decorations glistening in the twinkling lights on her real Christmas Tree, all of us young cousins excited and impatient, and Grandparents to kiss and hug. One special time of the year when my whole family was together. It's been many years since we were all together because not all my family is here any more so memories of those times are important. The aroma of cinnamon filling my kitchen helps bring back those special times and does its magic to create new memories for my own daughters and family today.

In the past years we have made Applesauce Cinnamon Ornaments. I still have a few of the Gingerbread Men ornaments we made a couple of years ago but most have broken and been used in simmering pots so we're going to make more. They make wonderful hand made gifts too or for adding on a package. They can be made into stars, bells, snowmen, Santa, reindeer or any shape. We used cookie cutters to make ours.

The aroma is so good you'd think you could eat them but they are NOT edible. Nothing toxic in them but just not tasty and not good to eat.

Applesauce Cinnamon Dough
4 oz. cinnamon
1 T cloves, ground
1 T pumpkin pie spice
3/4 cup applesauce
2 T white glue

Mix all dry ingredients then add to wet ingredients and mix thoroughly.

Depending on the amount of liquid in the applesauce the dough can be too wet or too dry. If too wet, add a Tablespoon at a time of the dry seasonings. If too dry add a Tablespoon of applesauce, a little glue. I found it to be different each time I made the recipe depending on humidity but I usually had to add more dry ingredients rather than adding more applesauce.

Roll out and cut shapes. I used waxed paper (also can be rolled between two pieces of plastic wrap) to roll them on and sprinkled a bit of cinnamon on the wax paper first before putting the dough down. Let dry several days, turning over frequently to prevent curling.

Walk fast in snow,

In frost walk slow;

And still as you go,

Tread on your toe.

When frost and snow are both together,

Sit by the fire, and spare shoe-leather.

~A Devonshire Rhyme~

Enjoy!