Cinnamon Dough (Arrrgh!!!)

I did a quick search to see if I'd given this recipe in the past, but I don't find anything. I love the smell of cinnamon when the house is closed up. I associate it with Thanksgiving and Christmas. When I can't bake using cinnamon, I have candles scented with vanilla and cinnamon or pumpkin and cinnamon.

A number of years ago a friend shared the recipe for a simple dough made of applesauce and cinnamon for Christmas ornaments. I made several batches and we cut out angels, and gingerbread men, and rocking horses. Let me share it with you.

Cinnamon Dough

1 cup cinnamon
3/4 cup applesauce

Combine the cinnamon and applesauce together to make a stiff dough, adding additional applesauce if necessary. Roll out dough to 1/4 inch thick. Cut with cookie cutters. Make a hole near the top for a ribbon. Carefully place the "cookies" on a cookie sheet to dry. Let them air dry for several days, turning them over occasionally

The year I made the cookies, Dear Husband walked into the kitchen. He was interested in the process, and discovered that while the dough was fresh you could decorate the cutouts by pressing a skewer into the dough. He added manes to the rocking horses with a series of parallel lines angled down the neck, and poked holes for eyes. It doesn't take a lot of pressure to make the marks, and they will be permanent.

When you make the hole for the ribbon be sure it's wide enough to be able to thread the ribbon through. I use eighth inch red ribbon to make a hanging loop, then I tie a knot at the top, and tie a bow.

I've hung these ornaments on our regular tree, on a potted Norway pine, and on the fake Sitka. I bought a fully lighted 4 1/2 foot tree this year and plan to decorate it with bunches of dried "naturals" and these ornaments. And, I've even strung them to make a garland for the mantle. When Christmas is over, I collect the ornaments and store them in a plastic bag with the rest of the Christmas ornaments, and they've lasted easily six or more years. The fragrance is fantastic!

If you have kids, this is the perfect way to spend a morning.