These are a classic holiday craft– I remember making them as a kid and I now make them with my kids. I love the birds strung on a garland and paired with dried orange slices, they look and smell amazing. They are also super easy to make with kids and are basically play dough until you dry them. Use cheap bulk cinnamon for these not the nice stiff you use in baking. This is a rare case of quantity over quality. When I made these as a kid I always added glue, and I do think it makes them a little sturdier, but they work fine without it and leaving it out makes them compostable which is nice. You can paint or decorate these but I never do because I like the way they look as is. You can of course also make them whatever shape you like!
Cinnamon Dough Birds
- 3/4 to 1 cup ground cinnamon (use cheap bulk cinnamon for this)
- 1/2 to 3/4 cup applesauce
- 1 TBS white glue (optional)
- String
Mix the cinnamon, applesauce, and glue if using in a bowl with your hands until a stiff dough forms. (Start with the smaller amounts and add more cinnamon if it seems wet or more applesauce if it seems dry.) Tip out and knead a few times on a cinnamon covered surface. Pop in the fridge for a few hours to firm up.
Roll out your dough out between two sheet of parchment until its around 1/8” thick. Cut in bird shapes with cookie cutters. (Or whatever shape you prefer) Poke a hole for hanging. Air dry or pop into a 200 degree oven for a few hours.
Once the birds are dry you can smooth any rough edges with sandpaper or your fingernail. String on a garland or hang as ornaments!