A couple of years ago there was a flurry of Cinnamon Apple dough across the interweb. From my reading it seems that this is a common childhood activity over in America but we Brits hadn’t really come across it. Lulastic did a great post on how to make it. So I made some hearts to hang on our Valentine’s tree.
Recently unpacking a box I came across an industrial sized bag of cinnamon that I used to make my hearts with. There was still a lot left, and it was a year old so not really any use for cooking with, so I decided to make some more hearts for a Cinnamon Apple Valentine’s Wreath. I blended up a jar of apple sauce I had in the cupboard until it was smooth- you could make your own puree or use shop bough baby puree too. It gave me about a cup of applesauce. I added the same amount of cinnamon and mixed it all together until it formed a pretty stiff dough.
Be warned that there will be a very strong smell of cinnamon whilst you mix: it felt slightly toxic at points. So open a window or door, or mix outside if it’s dry (HA!). Once you have a firm dough, roll out on a surface: use more ground cinnamon to prevent sticking. I rolled to about 5mm thickness, pressed out shapes and put them onto a lined baking sheet.
Bake in a cool oven for several hours. I have an Aga- I baked on the grid shelf in the bottom half of the simmering oven for about two hours until hard. By hard I mean brittle. Which is to say they broke when the children dropped one on the floor.
Then when cooled, I formed them into a rough wreath shape and used a glue gun to hold everything in place. You could use a wire wreath form to add strength and stability. I did try and stick the shapes together with water and baking the wreath whole but it really didn’t work: some of the hearts didn’t stick to the others and the flaws just meant that the whole thing broke when I picked it up. So gluing individual shapes seemed to be the best option. Either way it is pretty, fragrant and I really love it. I showed some of the hearts I made last year on a recent craft hangout and they are still very strongly scented so this would make a great gift!
What a brilliant idea!
What a great idea. I’m a huge cinnamon fan.
Ooo, what a nice idea. I bet it smells fab!
How beautiful is that and I bet it is so tempting to try and eat with the smell.
You are one very clever lady. I adore the smell of Cinnamon. And I want an AGA. Can I come and live with you…..?
A few things:
1) I am jel of your Aga.
2) I really thought these were going to be edible… right up til you mentioned a glue gun.
3) Cinnamon is the most amazing smell.
Cinnamon is gorgeous isn’t it? Perfect for some valentines spice. Will have to try this myself.
cinnamon and cookies…. Yum! Perfect as a gift for Valentine’s Day
Pop over my blog and link up with #FridayFoodie if you wish lovely. The theme is Valentine’s Day 🙂 http://www.romanianmum.com/2014/01/friday-foodie-16-valentines-day.html#.Uu_b33nQznY
What a wonderful idea, who said wreaths were just for Christmas? I do love the smell of cinnamon too
Oh my I bet that smells DIVINE!!!
Oh my, I need to make these, I love the smell of cinnamon
lovely idea but I have to admit I hate the smell of cinnamon and nutmeg 🙁 x
Looking at those my mouth is watering, I know this is WRONG! I love the smell of cinnamon x
SO gorgeous, as usual! I adore the smell of cinnamon.
I LOVE the smell of cinnamon but I tend to buy candles smelling of it, when really I should be baking with it!! Great post!