Cinnamon Baking Soda Ornaments: Pure White & Easy DIY

Tired of cinnamon ornaments that turn brown, crack, or lose their scent? You want that beautiful, pure white look with a lasting holiday fragrance. It can be frustrating when your homemade crafts don’t turn out as picturesque as you imagined.

The definitive method for pure white, scented cinnamon baking soda ornaments involves a cooked cornstarch and baking soda dough base, with cinnamon essential oil applied after baking to prevent browning and ensure a long-lasting fragrance. This technique guarantees a smooth, durable finish every time.

Drawing from our tested recipe, this guide reveals the secrets to flawless results. We’ll show you how to create cinnamon baking soda ornaments that are non-toxic, kid-friendly, and maintain their structural integrity. Get ready to craft beautiful, fragrant holiday keepsakes that last for years.

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Unlock Pure White, Scented Holiday Magic: DIY Cinnamon Baking Soda Ornaments That Won’t Crack!

This guide is your ultimate resource for moving beyond the common pitfalls of homemade dough ornaments. While traditional recipes like cinnamon applesauce dough are nostalgic, they often result in brown, brittle decorations that don’t last. We’re focusing on a superior, proven method that guarantees pure white ornaments with a delightful, long-lasting cinnamon scent. By separating the creation of the dough from the scenting process, we can control the color and durability, ensuring your homemade Christmas ornaments look professionally made and become cherished holiday keepsakes.

Your Ultimate Guide to Crafting 7 Perfect Cinnamon Baking Soda Ornaments

Get ready to transform simple kitchen ingredients into stunning, fragrant holiday baubles. This comprehensive, step-by-step guide will walk you through every part of the process, from mixing the perfect baking soda dough to preserving your finished creations. We’ve included expert tips and troubleshooting advice to ensure your crafting experience is fun, easy, and successful. Whether you’re making DIY holiday gifts or decorating your own Christmas tree, this is the only cinnamon ornament recipe you’ll ever need.

1. Master the Baking Soda Dough Base for Pure White Ornaments

Pin this easy dough recipe to your holiday craft board!

The foundation of a perfect white cinnamon ornament is the dough itself. This baking soda dough recipe uses a combination of baking soda and cornstarch to create a non-toxic craft dough with a brilliant white color and a wonderfully smooth texture. Unlike salt dough, this mixture is less prone to puffing and results in a finer, more professional finish, making it perfect for detailed cookie cutter shapes.

Supplies Needed

2 cups Baking Soda (for pure white base and smooth texture)
1 cup Cornstarch (essential for non-toxic craft dough consistency)
1 ½ cups cold water
Medium saucepan (non-stick recommended for easy stirring)
Silicone spatula or wooden spoon

Step-by-Step Directions

Whisk baking soda and cornstarch together thoroughly in the saucepan until no lumps remain, ensuring an even smooth texture.
Gradually add cold water, stirring constantly to form a smooth, lump-free mixture.
Place saucepan over medium heat, continuing to stir constantly. The mixture will begin to thicken.
Cook and stir for 5-10 minutes, or until the dough forms a thick, mashed potato-like consistency that pulls away from the sides of the pan.
Remove from heat and immediately transfer the dough to a plate or a clean, dry surface to cool.

Pro-Tip: Achieving the perfect smooth texture and pure white color depends on continuous stirring and not overcooking. The dough should still be slightly sticky, like playdough, as it cools to prevent cracking.

2. Achieve the Perfect Finish: Knead, Roll, and Cut Dough Ornaments

Save this step-by-step guide to your holiday crafting ideas!

Once your baking soda dough has cooled enough to handle, it’s time to prepare it for cutting. This step is crucial for achieving a smooth finish and ensuring your homemade dough ornaments have clean, defined edges. Proper kneading develops the dough’s pliable structure, while even rolling is the secret to preventing curling and cracking later on.

Tools Required

Cooled Baking Soda Dough (from previous step)
Parchment paper or silicone mat
Rolling pin (non-stick recommended for smooth dough)
Assorted cookie cutters (holiday-themed for christmas tree ornaments)
Drinking straw or toothpick
Small bowl of cornstarch (for dusting)

Step-by-Step Directions

Knead the cooled baking soda dough for 5-10 minutes on a surface lightly dusted with cornstarch until it is smooth, pliable, and no longer sticky.
Place a piece of parchment paper on your work surface. Lightly dust the paper and your rolling pin with cornstarch.
Roll the dough to an even thickness of about ¼ inch. This is crucial to prevent curling and cracking during drying.
Press your chosen cookie cutters firmly into the dough. Carefully lift the cut shapes and place them onto a separate sheet of parchment paper on a baking sheet.
Use a drinking straw or toothpick to create a small hole near the top of each ornament for stringing later. Ensure the hole is large enough for ribbon or twine after drying.
Gather dough scraps and knead them together to roll and cut more ornaments.

Pro-Tip: For intricate cookie cutter shapes, dip the cutter in cornstarch before each cut to prevent sticking and ensure clean edges. This helps achieve a smooth finish.

3. Bake to Perfection: Drying Your Cinnamon Baking Soda Ornaments

Discover the secret to perfectly dried dough ornaments—pin now!

Properly drying baking soda ornaments is what transforms the soft dough into hard, durable holiday baubles. The key is to use a very low temperature bake to slowly remove moisture without causing browning or cracking. This gentle process, similar to using an air dry clay alternative, ensures the ornaments harden completely and maintain their pristine white color.

What To Do

Baking sheet with parchment paper (with cut ornaments on it)
Oven or a flat, dry surface for air drying
Wire rack (for cooling)

Step-by-Step Directions

Preheat oven to its lowest setting (typically 170-200°F or 75-90°C). Low temperature is key to prevent browning and cracking.
Place the baking sheet with dough ornaments into the preheated oven.
Bake for 1.5 to 2 hours, flipping the ornaments every 30 minutes to ensure even drying. The exact bake time will vary based on thickness and oven.
Remove from oven and immediately transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. This allows any residual moisture to escape.
Alternatively, air dry: Place ornaments on a flat, non-stick surface in a dry, well-ventilated area. Flip daily. This method can take 2-4 days depending on humidity.

Pro-Tip: If ornaments begin to bubble or puff up while baking, gently press them flat with a spatula. This proven method prevents cracking and ensures a smooth finish.

4. Infuse Festive Fragrance: How to Make Ornaments Smell Like Cinnamon

Pin this hack for long-lasting scented ornaments!

The secret to achieving both a pure white color and a long-lasting fragrance is to add the scent after baking. Using cinnamon essential oil on the cooled ornaments enhances the aromatic dough and results in a rich, festive scent that won’t cause browning. This method gives you complete control over the intensity of the fragrance for your homemade christmas ornaments.

What You Need

Cooled, baked baking soda ornaments
Cinnamon essential oil (high-quality for long-lasting fragrance)
Small paintbrush or cotton swab
Optional: Airtight container for scent boost

Step-by-Step Directions

Ensure your ornaments are completely cooled and dry before applying scent.
Add 1-2 drops of cinnamon essential oil to a small paintbrush or cotton swab.
Gently dab the essential oil onto the back or edges of each ornament. Avoid soaking, as too much oil can cause discoloration over time.
Allow the oil to fully absorb and dry for a few hours.
For a stronger scent boost: Place scented ornaments in an airtight container with a cotton ball infused with a few extra drops of cinnamon essential oil for 24-48 hours.

Pro-Tip: Use cinnamaldehyde-rich cinnamon essential oil for the most authentic and long-lasting fragrance. Applying after baking prevents browning and maintains pure white color.

5. Add Sparkle & Shine: Decorate Your Dough Ornaments

Get creative! Pin these easy decorating ideas for baking soda ornaments!

Now for the fun part! Your baked ornaments are a beautiful blank canvas. They can be decorated with all sorts of materials to create personalized festive crafts. For a classic look, a touch of glitter adds a magical sparkle. You can also use acrylic paint for intricate designs or seal them with Mod Podge for extra durability and a glossy finish.