Natural Christmas Tree Decorations

Dried fruits, spices and foraged materials can be used to turn into stunning decorations that look rustic and smell wonderful and that will make your Christmas tree unique and stunningly original. Are you ready to give it a try?

Ingredients:

• oranges
• apples
• pears
• cherries
• small handful cloves
•  cinnamon sticks
• thin ribbon, twine or string

To make your decorations:

Heat oven to 140C/120C fan/gas 1 and line 2 baking sheets with baking parchment. Slice the oranges and apples/ peras very thinly, using a mandolin for the apples if you have one. Arrange the slices on the trays, then bake for 45 mins-1 hr, turning halfway through cooking, until completely dried out. Leave to cool.
Once cool, stud the oranges with cloves. Thread some ribbon, twine or string through the centres of the orange slices, then tie a knot to secure. Follow with a slice of apple, and another knot, attaching a cinnamon stick to a few of the decorations.