Pumpkin Spice Applesauce Ornaments

These are typical applesauce ornaments, but with a small twist. I added some extra spices to give them a slightly different essence. What spices did I add? Well, I added ginger, clove, nutmeg, and allspice to the cinnamon. Which  are the typical spices you find in pumpkin spice, hence the name. I can't even begin to describe to you how absolutely AMAZING these smell. We have already put them on our tree, and the minute you walk through the door all you can smell is pumpkin spice. By the way, we leave our tree up all year, and swap out the decorations for the current season or holiday. Didn't want you to think we were like the department stores with our Christmas tree up before we had the chance to celebrate the other holidays. So, are you ready for this super easy recipe?

Pumpkin Spice Applesauce Ornaments -

1 cup applesauce
1 cup cinnamon
2 Tbsp of each of the following: ginger, nutmeg, allspice, and clove.

~Preheat oven to 200 degree F.
~Mix all ingredients together in bowl until a dough forms.
~Don't be afraid to get this out and knead it just like you would bread.
~Sprinkle a good amount of cinnamon on cutting board, and rolling pin (just like you would do with flour if you were making sugar cookies), and roll out your dough about a 1/4 inch thick.
~Using cookie cutters start cutting out your ornaments, and place them on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
~Take a toothpick and poke a hole about a 1/2 inch from the top. Make sure the toothpick goes completely through.
 ~Bake for 1 1/2 hours and then let them sit out overnight to make sure they are completely dry.
~Add string and hang.

Tips:
1.) I know this recipe calls for a good amount of spices that can be rather pricey. It is all about where you get them from. I have two places I find my cinnamon, one is the grocery store, but NOT in the spice aisle, but the ethnic aisle. For some reason right by the tacos is a brand of spices that is a lot cheaper, and just as good as the ones found in the spice aisle. I get a large bottle of cinnamon for under $4.00. I have also gotten a large bottle of cinnamon sticks for $4.50. Second place is outlet stores, and dollar stores. Sometimes you can find spices that are close to, or already expired, which is no big deal when you are using them for crafts. I recently scored a lot of these spices for just $0.79 each.
2.) If your dough is a little wet, by all means just keep adding cinnamon until it is no longer sticky.
3.) We had a little bit of trouble putting our string through some of the holes. Simply take your toothpick and stick it back through the hole. I think it was a little rough, and the string was getting snagged.
3.) Have fun! My children had a blast, and can't wait to do more to hand out as presents to their teachers, coaches, and family.