How to Make Salt Dough Ornaments
How to make the best salt dough ornaments! A simple and fun project you can include the whole family in.
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl.
- Optional: a large spoon (or just use your hands!)
- Rolling Pin
- Cookie cutters.
- Reusable straw (this is for making the hole for hanging your ornament!)
- Optional: Knife or pizza cutter to make shapes.
- Baking sheet.
- Parchment paper.
- Paintbrushes.
- Paint and other desired craft materials for decorating.
- Mod Podge.
- Ribbon, string, or wire.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 cup salt
- 1 cup warm water
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 200°F. Cut your parchment paper to line the bottom of your baking sheet. Set aside.
- Measure out and combine your flour and salt in your large mixing bowl. Use your wooden spoon or your hands.
- Measure and thoroughly add in your warm water. Use your wooden spoon or your hands.
- Work the dough so it's easy to roll out.
- Lightly flour your work surface and rolling pin.
- Either prepare to work with all of your dough or separate it into smaller balls to roll out one at a time.
- Roll your dough out evenly. Be sure it is thin but not too thin!
- Use your cookie cutters, knife, and/or pizza cutters to create your desired shapes!
- Place the shapes on your parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Now is the time to gently add any hand, paw, or footprints!
- Use your reusable straw to create the hole that you will use to hang your ornament from.
- Bake for 1-2 hours depending on thickness. I check on mine every 30 minutes and turn the pan each time. They are done once they are hard! (Caution: don't touch them they are hot!)
- Once complete, remove from the oven and allow them to cool.
- After they are fully cooled off, it's time to paint, decorate, and seal them! Get creative!
- After they dry you can tie string, ribbon, or a metal wire through the hole. Go hang your beautiful salt dough ornaments up on the tree and enjoy!
Notes
- Be sure to roll your dough out evenly and thin but not too thin! I made the mistake before of rushing and I ended up with ornaments that weren't completely flat!
- You may need a spatula to remove and transfer your salt dough ornament from your work surface to the parchment lined baking sheet. It really helps if you are making a larger shape!
- How to know your ornaments are done in the oven: they should be hard! I test mine out by poking them with a toothpick.
- Allow the salt dough ornaments to fully cool before painting or decorating.
- Don't forget to write any information you want on the back before you seal the ornaments! (Examples: names, dates, the year, a sweet message, etc.)
- Using Mod Podge or a spray sealer will help to preserve these for years to come!
- Be sure to store them as you would any other fragile decorations. Wrap them and store them nicely along with your other seasonal decor. You want to be sure these precious keepsakes are safe and sound!