Crafting timeless memories is easier than you think with these DIY cinnamon salt dough ornaments. This comprehensive, step-by-step tutorial will guide you through making beautiful, fragrant ornaments that mimic classic gingerbread cookies, fill your home with a delightful aroma, and become cherished keepsakes for years to come. Perfect for holiday decorating or thoughtful handmade gifts, these ornaments are a joy to create and a delight to behold.
There’s a unique magic in handmade holiday decorations, especially those crafted with love and a sprinkle of nostalgia. I vividly recall a preschool project: a salt dough handprint plaque I proudly presented to my mom on Mother’s Day. Even three decades later, that crusty little “thing” still holds a special place on a shelf at my parents’ house, a tangible reminder of childhood innocence. This enduring memory sparked an idea – why not recreate that joy with my own children, but with a festive, fragrant twist?
Last year, we embarked on a delightful crafting adventure, creating cinnamon salt dough ornaments. The process was so much fun, and the results were so charming, yet I never got around to documenting it. Looking back at little Regan’s one-year-old footprint from last Christmas melts my heart – these ornaments truly capture precious moments.
This year, it’s time for a proper redo, complete with all the details you need to make your own batch of these incredible ornaments. The rich, earthy brown color of the cinnamon dough, combined with simple white “icing,” makes them look remarkably like gingerbread cookies – minus the temptation to eat them!
The aesthetic appeal is undeniable. Last Christmas, the gingerbread theme was a significant part of our Swedish-inspired Christmas decor. I even strung some of these fragrant cinnamon salt dough ornaments with festive ribbon to create a charming garland above our kitchen window. The visual warmth and the comforting scent transformed our space into a cozy holiday haven.
Why Choose Cinnamon Salt Dough Ornaments?
Beyond their charming appearance, cinnamon salt dough ornaments offer several compelling advantages:
- Incredible Scent: The primary ingredient, cinnamon, naturally infuses your home with a warm, inviting, and truly festive aroma. They act like long-lasting, natural air fresheners, evoking the spirit of the holidays.
- Durability: Unlike edible cookies, these ornaments are designed to last. Once baked and properly stored, they can be enjoyed year after year, becoming cherished family heirlooms.
- Affordable Craft: Made from pantry staples like flour, salt, and cinnamon, this craft is incredibly budget-friendly, making it accessible for everyone.
- Family-Friendly Fun: This is an ideal project for all ages. Kids love mixing the dough, cutting out shapes, and especially decorating. It’s a fantastic way to spend quality time together during the holiday season.
- Personalization: Easily capture handprints or paw prints, making each ornament a unique memento of a specific time or loved one.
- Versatile Decor: Use them on your Christmas tree, as gift tags, strung into garlands, or as charming additions to holiday vignettes.
How to Make Cinnamon Salt Dough Ornaments:
(Please note: Some affiliate links are provided below. Full disclosure here.)
Ingredients & Tools:
- 3 C all-purpose flour (standard white flour works best for texture)
- 1 C ground cinnamon (ensure it’s fresh for the best scent and color)
- 1 C salt (fine grain table salt is recommended for smoother dough)
- 10-12 drops essential oil of your choice (cinnamon bark for an intensified scent, peppermint for a cool twist, clove for warmth, or sweet orange for a brighter aroma – all great for Christmas)
- 1 3/4 C water (adjust slightly as needed, depending on humidity)
- Parchment paper or cooking spray (for preventing sticking)
- Cookie cutters (We used these festive cookie cutters for a variety of shapes)
- Rolling pin
- Toothpick or a small straw (for making hanging holes)
- White puffy craft paint (for that classic gingerbread “icing” look)
- Baker’s string, jute twine, or ornament hooks (for hanging your finished creations)
- Large mixing bowl
- Baking sheet
- Wire cooling rack
Step 1 – Mix Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, combine the 3 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 cup of ground cinnamon, and 1 cup of salt. Use a whisk or a spoon to mix these ingredients thoroughly. This ensures an even distribution of color and scent throughout your dough. Once mixed, set aside about 1/2 cup of this dry mixture. This reserved portion will be crucial later for “flouring” your work surface when rolling out the dough, preventing it from sticking.
Step 2 – Prepare the Scented Water
Pour 1 3/4 cups of water into a separate bowl or measuring cup. Add 10-12 drops of your chosen essential oil to the water. This method helps distribute the oil evenly throughout the dough, maximizing its fragrant potential. While cinnamon essential oil is ideal for enhancing the gingerbread effect, other scents like peppermint (which I used when out of cinnamon oil – it still smells fantastic!) or clove work wonderfully for a festive aroma. Stir the water and oil gently to combine.
Step 3 – Gradually Combine Ingredients
Begin to gradually pour small amounts of your essential oil-infused water mixture into the dry ingredients. It’s important to add the liquid slowly to avoid making the dough too wet too quickly. Use a spoon or your hands to mix as you add, ensuring the dry ingredients absorb the water evenly.
Step 4 – Mix and Knead the Dough
Continue stirring and gradually adding more water until the mixture begins to form a thick, cookie-like dough. It should be firm enough to handle without being overly sticky, but pliable enough to roll out. If the dough is too dry, add a tiny bit more water (a tablespoon at a time); if it’s too sticky, sprinkle in a little extra flour from your pantry. Once all the water is incorporated, turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface (using your reserved dry mixture) and knead it for about 5-7 minutes. This develops the dough’s consistency, making it smooth and easy to work with. This is also the moment the wonderful aroma truly takes hold, filling your kitchen with the glorious scent of Christmas!
Step 5 – Roll and Cut Out Dough Shapes
Lightly sprinkle your reserved dry mixture over a clean countertop or a large cutting board. Take a portion of the dough and roll it out with a rolling pin to an approximate thickness of 1/4 inch. Aim for an even thickness across the entire sheet of dough, as this will help your ornaments bake uniformly. Use your favorite cookie cutters to cut out various festive shapes. Carefully transfer the cut-out shapes onto a baking sheet that has been lined with parchment paper or greased with cooking spray. This prevents sticking during baking.
Step 6 – Poke a Hole for String
Before baking, it’s crucial to create a hole in the top of each ornament for hanging. Use a toothpick, a skewer, or even a small straw to carefully poke a hole. Ensure the hole is large enough to easily thread your chosen string or twine through once the ornament is dry and hard. If you’re working with children, remember it’s all about the experience and fun, not perfection! Some of our snowflakes might look a bit like sea turtles, and that’s perfectly okay – it adds to the charm and memories.
Step 7 – Bake the Ornaments
Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). Carefully place your baking sheet with the cut-out dough shapes into the oven and bake for approximately 30-40 minutes. The baking time can vary depending on the thickness of your ornaments and your oven’s calibration, so keep an eye on them. The goal is for the dough to harden completely. They should feel firm to the touch and sound solid when tapped. As they bake, your entire house will be filled with the most delightful, festive cinnamon aroma – truly a treat for the senses! Once baked, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool completely on a wire rack. This step is important for them to fully harden and prevents condensation.
Step 8 – Pipe “Icing” Paint
Once your baked cinnamon salt dough ornaments are completely cool, it’s time for the fun part: decorating! Using white puffy craft paint, which mimics the look and texture of royal icing, carefully pipe your desired designs onto the ornaments. Think classic gingerbread cookie decorations – simple lines, dots, swirls, or even intricate patterns. Allow the puffy paint to dry completely, which can take several hours depending on the thickness of your application. This step truly transforms them into charming, faux gingerbread treats.
Step 9 – String and Display
Once the puffy paint is fully dry, thread your baker’s string, jute twine, or ornament hooks through the holes you created earlier. Tie a secure knot for hanging. Now, your beautiful and fragrant cinnamon salt dough ornaments are ready to be displayed! Hang them on your Christmas tree, use them to adorn gifts, create festive garlands, or simply place them in a decorative bowl to add a seasonal touch and scent to any room. We even made a precious paw print for Lola, our furry family member!
Tips for Success with Cinnamon Salt Dough
- Dough Consistency is Key: The ideal dough should be firm but pliable, similar to sugar cookie dough. If it’s too crumbly, add water sparingly. If too sticky, add flour bit by bit until it’s manageable.
- Even Rolling: Try to roll the dough to a consistent 1/4 inch thickness. Thicker ornaments will take longer to bake, and uneven thickness can lead to some parts cracking or drying out faster than others.
- Baking Low and Slow: A lower oven temperature for a longer period is crucial for drying out the dough without causing it to puff up or burn. Don’t rush the baking process.
- Air Drying Option: If you prefer not to bake, you can air dry your ornaments. This will take several days, possibly up to a week, depending on humidity and thickness. Flip them daily for even drying. Baked ornaments are generally more durable.
- Alternative Scents: Don’t limit yourself to cinnamon! Experiment with other natural spices like nutmeg, ginger, or even coffee grounds mixed into the dry ingredients for different aromatic profiles.
- Sealing for Longevity: While not strictly necessary, you can lightly seal your ornaments with a matte clear craft sealant (like Mod Podge or a clear spray sealant) once they are completely dry and decorated. This can help protect them from humidity and preserve their color over many years. Ensure the sealant is non-toxic if children will be handling them frequently.
Creative Variations and Uses
These cinnamon salt dough ornaments offer endless possibilities for creativity:
- Beyond Ornaments: Use smaller cut-outs as festive gift tags, add magnets to the back for unique refrigerator decor, or create larger shapes for decorative tiered tray displays.
- Different Themes: While perfect for Christmas, consider different cookie cutter shapes and essential oils for other holidays. Pumpkin shapes with pumpkin spice oil for fall, or heart shapes with rose essential oil for Valentine’s Day.
- Texture and Stamps: Before baking, gently press lace, fabric, or rubber stamps into the rolled dough to create beautiful textures or patterns.
- Natural Elements: For a rustic look, press small sprigs of rosemary, dried berries, or star anise directly into the dough before baking.
More Christmas DIY Ideas
- DIY Christmas Decorations You Can Make Inexpensively
- Easy Tutorial: How to Make DIY Dried Orange Garland
- Easy DIY Stocking Name Tags + Personalized Printable Labels
- 5 Minute Christmas Bow Ribbon Art
Between the sweet fragrance of dried citrus decor and the comforting aroma of these cinnamon salt dough ornaments, our house truly smells like Christmas heaven! The combination creates an inviting, festive atmosphere that makes every corner feel special.
I’m genuinely tempted to take this craft to the next level by trying to construct walls and a roof for a miniature gingerbread house. Using this cookie cutter set, imagine a charming, non-perishable gingerbread house that could adorn our mantle for years! I haven’t quite mustered the courage to try such an ambitious project yet, but perhaps one of you will be inspired to give it a go?
It’s definitely something on my list to attempt one of these days. For now, with our beautiful cinnamon salt dough ornaments complete, I can’t wait to decorate our Christmas tree next week and see them sparkle among the lights!
Have you ever tried making salt dough ornaments before – either with cinnamon or the traditional recipe? It’s more than just a craft; it’s a perfect yearly tradition to do with kiddos, allowing you to document how much their little hands and feet have grown each season. These ornaments are not just decorations; they are tiny time capsules, holding precious memories and the warmth of handmade love.
If you want to save this festive tutorial for later, remember to pin it here:
