These have to be the EASIEST cinnamon dough ornaments around! Finally, a cinnamon salt dough recipe you don’t have to cook! Add this no-cook cinnamon ornaments recipe to your bag of Christmas activities, and you will have something fun and easy for the kids to do this holiday season!

How To Make Cinnamon Ornaments
I don’t know too many kids who don’t LOVE playing with a fresh batch of homemade cinnamon dough. Cinnamon salt dough makes a wonderful sensory play activity, enhances learning activities, and smells and feels amazing for the senses!
All you need are a few simple ingredients and some Christmas cookie cutters to enjoy making your own cinnamon Christmas ornaments. I am excited to share with you this awesome go-to cinnamon dough recipe, no applesauce needed. Change it up for the seasons and holidays too!
Watch the video:
PLEASE NOTE: Cinnamon dough is NOT edible, but it is taste-safe!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of flour
- 1/2 cup of salt
- 1/2 cup of cinnamon
- 3/4 cup of very warm water
Instructions:
STEP 1: Combine all the dry ingredients in a bowl, and form a well in the center.

STEP 2: Add the warm water to the dry ingredients and mix together until it forms a dough.
NOTE: If you notice the cinnamon dough looks a little runny, you might be tempted to add more flour. Before you do this, allow the mixture to rest for a few moments! That will give the salt a chance to absorb the extra moisture.

STEP 3: Roll the dough to ¼ inch thick or so and cut out your Christmas ornament shapes. We used a star shape cookie cutter for ours.
STEP 4: Use a straw to make a hole in the top of each ornament. Place on a tray and leave for 24 to 48 hours to air dry.
Alternatively: Bake in a preheated oven at 200°F (90°C) for 1–2 hours, checking every 30 minutes to avoid over-browning.

Tips For Making Your Cinnamon Ornaments
- You can make the cinnamon dough ahead of time and store it for up to a week in zip-top bags. Though a fresh batch is always best to work with!
- Cinnamon dough can be painted either when it’s wet or dry. What color will you make your Christmas ornaments?
- Cinnamon dough can be baked or air-dried.
- Once decorated, brush the ornaments with clear acrylic spray or Mod Podge to preserve them.
- To hang thread a festive ribbon, string, or twine through the hole.
- Personalize ornaments by writing names or dates with a fine-tipped paint pen.
Decorating the Ornaments
Here are a few fun ideas for decorating your cinnamon Christmas ornaments:
- Use acrylic paint to add festive designs. Metallic paints work beautifully for stars or bells.
- Add sparkle by outlining edges or creating patterns with glitter glue.
- Press rubber stamps into the dough before drying for a textured look.
- Attach beads or sequins with craft glue for extra embellishments.
- Glue tiny sprigs of pine, cloves, or buttons for rustic or vintage styles.
How Long Do Cinnamon Ornaments Last?
These cinnamon ornaments are made from a mixture of flour and salt that creates a type of modeling clay, that can be baked or air-dried and then saved.
Why is there salt in the cinnamon dough? Salt is a great preservative and it adds additional texture to your projects. You’ll notice the dough is heavier too!
So if look after your homemade cinnamon ornaments, they should last for many years. Store them in a dry, airtight container, away from heat, light or moisture.
Try this easy alternative! Make air dry clay ornaments with baking soda and cornstarch.
More Fun Things To Make With Salt Dough






Get started with these FREE Christmas ornament printables!
Just print, cut, and fold…
More Fun Christmas Ornaments To Make
You can check out our list of easy DIY ornaments crafts for kids to make. Here are a few of our favorites…
- Christmas glue art ornaments
- Printable Gratitude ornaments
- Marbled Christmas ornaments
- Reindeer ornament
- Milk and vinegar ornaments






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