Introduction
Discover the timeless joy of creating classic salt dough ornaments recipe. This craft offers a perfect, affordable activity for families, transforming simple pantry staples into beautiful decorations. Learn our simple, step-by-step process to make lasting keepsakes, bringing a personal touch to your home or gifts. These ornaments are wonderfully versatile and fun for all ages.
Why You’ll Love This Salt Dough Recipe
Creating homemade salt dough ornaments is incredibly rewarding and simple.
- It uses common, inexpensive pantry ingredients you likely already have on hand.
- This craft is fun, easy, and offers an affordable way to get creative with kids.
- Once baked and sealed, these durable ornaments can last for decades.
- They make thoughtful, handmade gifts for family and friends during holidays.
- The dough is smooth, pliable, and easy for even young children to work with.
Easy Salt Dough Ornaments Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Make the Dough: In a large bowl, whisk together flour and salt. Gradually add warm water while mixing until a shaggy dough forms. Knead on a lightly floured surface for about 5 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Form the Ornaments: Preheat oven to 200°F (93°C). Roll out dough between parchment sheets to 1/8-inch thickness. Cut shapes with cookie cutters, and use a straw or toothpick to make a small hole for hanging.
- Bake the Ornaments: Transfer to a baking sheet and bake for 1–2 hours until hard and dry. Cool completely on a wire rack.
- Decorate: Paint with acrylics or markers, then seal with Mod Podge or clear polyurethane spray once dry. Thread ribbons or twine through holes for hanging.
- Optional Handprints: Roll thicker dough (1/4 inch), press handprint or footprint, cut shape, bake, and decorate as above for keepsakes.
Notes
Ingredients
Gather these basic ingredients to start your salt dough ornaments recipe:
- All-purpose flour: 4 cups
- Table salt: 1 cup
- Warm water: 1 ½ cups
Notes & Substitutions
Always use standard white all-purpose flour for the best texture in your salt dough. Avoid specialty flours like self-rising or bread flour, as they contain leavening agents that will make your ornaments puff up. Use fine table salt; coarse salts may not dissolve properly, affecting dough consistency. Warm water is crucial as it helps the salt dissolve and creates a smooth, easy-to-work-with dough.
The FDA warns that raw flour can contain harmful bacteria, making it unsafe for consumption. Remember, this dough is strictly for crafting and not for consumption due to the high salt content and raw flour.
Equipment
You only need a few simple tools for this craft.
- Large mixing bowl
- Sturdy spoon or hands for mixing
- Parchment paper
- Rolling pin
- Cookie cutters
- Drinking straw or toothpick
- Baking sheet
- Optional: Acrylic paints, brushes, glitter
- Optional: Polyurethane spray or Mod Podge
- Optional: Ribbons or twine
Instructions
Making salt dough ornaments is a straightforward and enjoyable process. Follow these steps carefully for the best results.
To Make the Dough
Start by combining your dry ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the 4 cups of all-purpose flour and 1 cup of table salt until well combined. Gradually add the 1 ½ cups of warm water, stirring continuously with a sturdy spoon or your hands. Once the mixture forms a shaggy dough, transfer it to a clean, lightly floured surface. Knead the dough for about 5 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic, similar to playdough.
To Form the Ornaments
Preheat your oven to a low 200°F (93°C). This low temperature is key to slowly drying the dough without cracking it. Place a piece of parchment paper on your work surface. Take a portion of the dough and place it on the parchment. Cover it with another piece of parchment, then use a rolling pin to roll the dough evenly. Aim for an even ⅛-inch thickness for most ornaments. Use your favorite cookie cutters to cut out shapes from the rolled dough. Carefully remove the excess dough from around your cutouts. Use a drinking straw or a toothpick to poke a small hole near the top of each shape; this is where you will thread your ribbon for hanging. Gently transfer your cut shapes, still on the parchment paper, to a baking sheet.
To Bake the Ornaments
Place the baking sheet with your raw salt dough ornaments into the preheated 200°F (93°C) oven. The baking time will vary depending on the thickness and size of your ornaments. Begin checking their hardness after 1 hour. Small, thin ornaments might be ready quickly, while larger or thicker pieces could take 2 hours or more. The goal is for them to feel hard and dry to the touch, similar to ceramic bisque. If they still feel soft in the center, continue baking. Once baked, turn off the oven and let the ornaments cool completely on the baking sheet inside the oven, or on a wire rack. This gradual cooling helps prevent cracking.
To Decorate and Preserve
Once your baked ornaments are cool, they are ready for decorating. For a uniform base, you can optionally lightly spray them with white primer or acrylic paint. Let this coat dry completely. Then, unleash your creativity! Decorate the salt dough ornaments using acrylic paints, markers, or even glue on glitter. Once all decorations are dry, it is crucial to seal your ornaments for longevity.
When choosing a sealant, consider the differences between options like Mod Podge and polyurethane spray for crafts, as some may be more suitable for indoor or outdoor display. Apply a coat or two of clear polyurethane spray or brush-on Mod Podge to all surfaces. This protective layer will prevent moisture absorption, cracking, and preserve your beautiful artwork. After the sealant dries, thread your chosen ribbon or twine through the pre-poked holes for hanging.
Pro Tips & Troubleshooting
Achieving perfect salt dough ornaments requires a few tricks. Always roll your dough to an even ⅛-inch thickness; this ensures uniform drying and prevents warping. If ornaments puff up or crack, your oven might be too hot or the dough wasn’t rolled evenly. Try lowering the oven temperature slightly or rotating the baking sheet. To prevent cracks, ensure thorough kneading to eliminate air bubbles and roll the dough uniformly. Trapped air causes splitting during baking. Clean your straw after each hole poke to keep it clear and ensure clean perforations. Remember, raw dough contains raw flour and should never be eaten. The high salt content acts as a crucial preservative, but it also makes the dough inedible. Consider making extra handprint ornaments as precious keepsakes.
How to Make Salt Dough Handprints
For a truly personal touch, make salt dough handprints. Roll the dough slightly thicker than regular ornaments, about ¼-inch. Have your child (or even an adult!) press their hand or foot firmly into the dough to make a clear impression. Use a glass rim or knife to carefully cut around the print, creating a circular or desired shape. Bake, decorate, and seal these handprints following the same steps as your other ornaments.
Serving, Storage & Variations
This versatile salt dough ornaments recipe offers endless possibilities for customization and display.
Decorating Ideas
Unleash your artistic side! Use vibrant acrylic paints to add color and intricate designs. For a festive sparkle, add glitter using Mod Podge or craft glue. Before baking, you can gently press textured items like lace, leaves, or stamps into the dough for unique patterns. Alternatively, leave your ornaments plain for a simple, rustic, and natural look.
Storage Tips
To ensure your salt dough ornaments last for years, proper storage is essential. Always store them in an airtight container to protect them from dust and moisture. Choose a cool, dry place in your home, away from direct sunlight or extreme temperature changes. Humidity is the enemy of salt dough, as it can lead to softening or even mold growth. Handle your ornaments gently, as they can be somewhat fragile and breakable if dropped.
Creative Variations
Get creative with your basic salt dough! Add a few drops of food coloring to the dough while mixing to create colored ornaments before baking. If you are not in a hurry, you can air dry your ornaments instead of baking them; this process takes several days and requires flipping the ornaments regularly. Beyond holiday decorations, use your salt dough creations as unique gift tags, name place holders, or string them together to make a charming garland.
Nutrition
This salt dough ornaments recipe is a crafting guide, not a food recipe. The finished product is a decorative item and should not be consumed.
| Amount per Serving | |
|---|---|
| Calories | Not Applicable |
| Total Fat | Not Applicable |
| Sodium | Not Applicable |
| Total Carbohydrate | Not Applicable |
| Protein | Not Applicable |
Nutritional information for craft items is not applicable.
FAQ
Can I air dry salt dough ornaments?
Yes, you can air dry them, but it takes much longer (several days to a week). Make sure to flip them frequently to ensure even drying and prevent warping.
Why did my salt dough ornaments puff up or crack?
This often happens due to uneven rolling, trapped air within the dough, or baking at too high a temperature. Roll uniformly and bake low and slow.
How long do salt dough ornaments last?
With proper sealing and storage in a cool, dry place, your salt dough ornaments can last for many decades, becoming cherished family heirlooms.
Is salt dough safe for kids?
Yes, it is safe for kids to craft with, but close supervision is crucial to prevent them from ingesting the raw dough due to its high salt content and raw flour.
Conclusion
This easy salt dough ornaments recipe offers an affordable, enduring, and creative craft activity for everyone. It transforms simple ingredients into cherished keepsakes that capture memories and personal style. Encourage your family’s creative expression and enjoy the process of making something beautiful with your own hands. Start your own family tradition today, creating lovely salt dough ornaments that will bring joy for years to come!
