Description
Create charming and easy salt dough ornaments with just flour, salt, and water. This simple recipe allows you to craft personalized decorations perfect for holidays or keepsakes, using minimal ingredients and baking in your oven for a long-lasting, customizable finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Salt Dough Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup salt
- ¾ cup water, more if needed
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 200°F (93°C) to prepare for baking the ornaments.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt until well combined.
- Add Water Gradually: Slowly add the ¾ cup of water to the dry mixture while mixing on medium-low speed, reserving a few tablespoons. Add the reserved water one tablespoon at a time if the dough feels too dry, mixing until just moist.
- Knead the Dough: On a lightly floured surface or using a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, knead the dough until it becomes smooth. The longer you knead, the smoother your dough and resulting ornaments will be.
- Roll Out the Dough: Secure a sheet of parchment paper to your work surface, then roll out the dough to about ¼ inch thickness for ornaments or ⅓ inch for handprints and footprints. Alternatively, lightly flour your work surface before rolling.
- Cut and Punch Holes: Use cookie cutters to gently press shapes into the dough. Use a straw to punch a small hole near the top of each shape to allow for hanging the ornament later.
- Bake the Ornaments: Transfer the parchment paper with dough shapes onto a cookie sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
- Flip and Continue Baking: Carefully flip each ornament using a cookie spatula and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the ornaments are completely dry.
- Cool Completely: Remove from the oven and allow ornaments to cool completely before decorating or displaying.
Notes
- If the dough feels too sticky, gradually add a little more flour while kneading.
- Ensure the hole for hanging is large enough for your strings or ribbons.
- You can decorate the ornaments after baking using paint, glitter, or varnish for added durability.
- Store finished ornaments in an airtight container to keep them dry and intact.
- Adjust baking time slightly for thicker or larger ornaments to ensure thorough drying.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: salt dough, homemade ornaments, craft ornaments, baking crafts, holiday decorations, DIY ornaments
