A step-by-step guide to making cinnamon salt dough ornaments that look like gingerbread cookies, smell incredible, and can last for years.
When I was in preschool, I made a salt dough handprint plaque for my mom and proudly gave it to her on Mother’s Day. I still remember that moment clearly, even though it was decades ago. The plaque lived on a shelf at my parents’ house for years, crusty but beloved. That memory made cinnamon salt dough ornaments the perfect rainy-day project to do with my kids.
Last year we made these using ground cinnamon in the dough, and they smelled so warm and cozy that we used them as part of our holiday decor. I didn’t photograph the process then, so this year I rewrote the steps and took pictures as we worked.
They really do look like gingerbread cookies—brown, textured, and ready for piping. We even used some for a garland above our kitchen window and hung a few on the tree.
How to Make Cinnamon Salt Dough Ornaments
Some items mentioned below are popular choices for this craft.
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup ground cinnamon
- 1 cup salt
- 10–12 drops essential oil of your choice (cinnamon bark, peppermint, clove, or orange are lovely for the holidays)
- 1 3/4 cups water
- Parchment paper or cooking spray
- Cookie cutters in desired shapes
- Toothpick
- White puffy craft paint (for piping “icing”)
- Baker’s string, jute twine, or ornament hooks
Step 1 – Mix Dry Ingredients
Combine the flour, ground cinnamon, and salt in a large bowl. Reserve about 1/2 cup of the dry mixture for dusting your work surface later—this keeps the dough from sticking when you roll it out.
Step 2 – Add Essential Oil to Water
Mix 10–12 drops of your chosen essential oil into the water. Cinnamon oil will intensify the baked-dough scent; peppermint or clove also give a festive aroma. If you prefer no added scent, you can skip this step.
Step 3 – Combine Water and Dry Mix
Gradually pour some of the scented water into the dry mixture while stirring. Add a little at a time to avoid the dough becoming too wet.
Step 4 – Mix the Dough
Stir the mixture well and continue adding water until it forms a thick, cookie-like dough. Knead briefly in the bowl or on a lightly floured surface until smooth. This is the point when the scent really fills the kitchen—cozy and festive.
Step 5 – Roll and Cut Shapes
Sprinkle the reserved dry mixture over a cutting board or clean counter. Roll the dough to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes and transfer them to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or lightly greased.
Step 6 – Make a Hole for Hanging
Use a toothpick to poke a hole near the top of each ornament, large enough to thread string through later. Let the kids cut shapes if they want—those imperfect snowflakes are part of the charm.
Step 7 – Bake
Bake the ornaments at 300°F for 30–40 minutes. Baking time varies by thickness—thicker pieces may need a few extra minutes. Cool on a wire rack. As they bake, the whole house will smell like holiday memories.
Step 8 – Decorate with “Icing”
When the ornaments are completely cool, use white puffy craft paint to pipe icing-like designs—dots, swirls, and borders mimic classic gingerbread details. Allow the paint to dry fully before handling.
Step 9 – String and Display
Thread baker’s twine or jute through the holes and tie to make loops for hanging. These ornaments are perfect on a tree, in a window garland, or as gift tags. We even made a paw print ornament for our dog—sweet keepsakes for years to come.
More Christmas DIY Ideas
- DIY Christmas decorations you can make inexpensively
- How to make a dried orange garland
- DIY personalized stocking tags with printable labels
- Quick 5-minute Christmas bow ribbon art
Between dried citrus decor and these cinnamon salt dough ornaments, the house smells like holiday heaven. If you’d like them to last even longer, consider sealing ornaments with a clear acrylic sealer or a light coat of craft varnish once all paint is dry. Store them in a cool, dry box between seasons.
One day I’d like to try building a gingerbread house with baked salt dough walls and roof using larger cutters. It seems ambitious, but it would be a fun project to attempt.
These ornaments make a great annual tradition: trace a child’s hand, footprint, or just let them create favorite shapes to document how small hands grow each year. I can’t wait to decorate our tree with these next week.
Have you ever made salt dough ornaments—cinnamon or plain? They’re an easy, meaningful craft to share with kids and to keep for years.
If you want to save this post for later, pin it to your holiday board.
