« Holiday Recipe - Stamped Cinnamon Ornaments - Non-Edible »

Cinnamon ornaments are time honored tradition! They are easy to make, inexpensive and the kind of action you can get the kids into. Not only are they gorgeous and handmade, they'll make your home smell all cinnamon-y and Christmas-y!

The recipe is simple and very cookie-like. Best of all it's very forgiving. As long as you have close to the amount needed for the recipe, you should be able to make it work.

Now I've probably seen Tosh.0 only a grand total of 2.2 times but I've seen enough to know about the cinnamon challenge. I've got to tell you that I don't think these cinnamon ornaments are going to kill you, but please be advised that while they look deceivingly like cookies, they are technically non-edible. I also know enough about human nature that someone somewhere is gonna try despite any sort of disclaimer. Let me know how that goes, 'kay?

Since it's Saturday and I've got a copy of MIB3 on blu-ray burning my pocket up I'm just going to get right into it...

For this project you will need: 

• 1 cup applesauce
• approximately 5 ounces cinnamon (plus more for dusting)
• 2-3 tablespoons non-toxic glue (I used Elmer's)
• rubber stamp
• cookie or biscuit cutters
• rolling pin
• straw or toothpick
• string, ribbon or lace
• cookie sheet sprayed
• oven preheated to 200 degrees
• craft paint and brush

First mix cinnamon, applesauce and glue together in a large  bowl. Start with a spoon and knead into a spongy dough by hand. Sprinkle cinnamon on your work surface and on the top of your dough. Use your rolling pin to flatten out to approximately 1/4 inch. 

Sprinkle your dough again with cinnamon and push your rubber stamp in firmly enough that you get an impression that is deep enough for your liking.

Use your cookie or biscuit cutters and go to town. After transferring them to your cookie sheet with non-stick cooking spray, use a straw, toothpick or similar item to make  holes to hang the ornaments from. I like the straw the best because you shove it down and pull it out and the hole comes out perfectly!

You don't need to space these out like normal cookies. They aren't going to rise or spread so jam as many on there without touching as possible!

Bake in your oven at 200 for 3-4 hours, turning every hour to prevent from curling upward too badly. Pay attention as my thinner ones took 3 hours and my thicker ones took 4. 

Remove from the oven and allow to cool before proceeding.

Put a small amount of craft paint out and dip your brush in. Before actually hitting up the ornament, rub the excess off on a piece of paper, then dry brush the ornament. Work to emphasize the impressions on each.

String your ornaments with ribbon, string, or lace as I have done. Get them hung and this project is complete!!!