Why You’ll Love This Best Salt Dough Ornaments
Salt dough ornaments are simple, low-cost, and fun. They let you make shapes, keep memories, and decorate your home. You can make them with kids or alone. The dough uses only three common pantry items. You bake the shapes until they harden, then paint or leave them plain. These ornaments last well when you keep them dry, and they make warm, handmade gifts. If you want a quiet craft to do while baking or watching a show, salt dough fits perfectly and pairs well with treats like apple cupcakes with salted caramel frosting to make a cozy day at home.
introduction
Salt dough ornaments are an easy craft anyone can do. You mix flour, salt, and water, then shape the dough. Small hands can press cookie cutters and make holes for string. Once baked and painted, the ornaments look bright and personal. This craft does not need special tools or fancy skills. It gives you a chance to be creative, make gifts, or mark a holiday or memory. The steps are clear and repeatable, so you will feel good with every batch you make.
Why Make This Recipe
Make this recipe because it is cheap and quick. The ingredients are in most pantries and stores. You do not need yeast, oil, or special flours. The dough feels like clay and holds shapes well. You can make ornaments for holidays, birthdays, or everyday decoration. The recipe also teaches basic baking and shaping skills for children. It is a good project for a rainy day, a family afternoon, or a classroom activity. You will save money compared to store-bought ornaments and give a personal touch to every piece.
What You Need for Best Salt Dough Ornaments
You need only a few tools and simple supplies:
- A mixing bowl
- A spoon or spatula
- A clean surface for kneading (floured)
- Rolling pin or a bottle
- Cookie cutters or a knife for shaping
- A straw or skewer to make holes
- A baking sheet and parchment paper or a non-stick surface
- Paints, brushes, and string for finishing
These items are common in most homes. If you do not have fancy cutters, use small lids, bottle caps, or freehand shapes with a knife.
How to Make Best Salt Dough Ornaments
Follow these clear steps. Work slowly, and keep flour on hand to stop sticking.
- Mix flour and salt in a bowl.
- Add water little by little and stir until a dough forms.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface until smooth and not sticky.
- Roll out the dough to the thickness you like, about 1/4 inch is common.
- Cut shapes with cookie cutters or shape by hand.
- Use a straw or skewer to make a hole for hanging.
- Place shapes on a baking sheet and bake at a low temperature until hard.
- Let cool fully, then paint, varnish, or leave plain.
Take your time when rolling and cutting. If the dough cracks, dampen your fingers and press the edges gently to smooth them.
Ingredients:
1 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup salt, 1/2 cup water
Directions:
- In a bowl, mix the flour and salt together.
- Gradually add the water and stir until it forms a dough.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface until smooth.
- Roll out the dough to your desired thickness.
- Use cookie cutters or your hands to shape the ornaments.
- Make a hole for hanging using a straw.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 200°F (95°C) for 2-3 hours, or until hard.
- Let cool, and then paint or decorate as desired.
Best Ways to Serve Best Salt Dough Ornaments
These ornaments are not food, but you can “serve” them as gifts or displays. Use them as:
- Tree decorations for holidays.
- Gift tags tied to wrapped presents.
- Wall hangings or garlands.
- Keepsakes with a child’s handprint or dated year.
- Table place settings during a meal or party.
Wrap them in tissue, place in small boxes, or tie a ribbon to present them nicely. Hand-painted ornaments look lovely in groups or mixed with store ornaments on a tree.
How to Store Best Salt Dough Ornaments
Store your ornaments in a dry, cool place. Keep them away from damp basements or humid rooms. For long-term storage:
- Place them in an airtight box with tissue paper between pieces.
- Use small plastic bags for single ornaments to avoid scratches.
- Avoid stacking heavy items on top of them.
If an ornament gets damp, let it dry slowly in a warm room (not in direct sun) to avoid cracking. Proper storage will keep them looking good for years.
Easy Tips to Make Best Salt Dough Ornaments
- Use room-temperature water for easier mixing.
- If dough is too sticky, add a bit more flour; if too dry, add a few drops of water.
- Keep a small bowl of flour nearby to dust the surface and rolling pin.
- Roll the dough to a uniform thickness so ornaments bake evenly.
- Make a test ornament and bake it to check time and hardness before baking the whole batch.
- Paint with acrylics and seal with clear varnish for a long-lasting finish.
- Use natural tools—stamps, leaves, or small toys—to press patterns into the dough.
- Work in small batches if you make many ornaments to keep dough fresh.
Try These Variations of Best Salt Dough Ornaments
You can change the look and feel by trying simple variations:
- Add a teaspoon of cinnamon or cocoa powder for a light scent and color.
- Mix in food coloring to make colored dough you do not have to paint later.
- Make dipped ornaments: paint only the edges or half of each shape.
- Make textured ornaments by pressing lace, ribbon, or leaves into the dough.
- Create three-dimensional shapes by layering pieces before baking.
After you finish ornaments, enjoy a sweet treat and quiet time by baking something simple like a best gingerbread cookies recipe. It is a nice way to pair crafting with baking for a full family day.
Common Questions About Best Salt Dough Ornaments
Q: How long will the ornaments last?
A: If kept dry and stored correctly, salt dough ornaments can last for many years. Avoid humidity and direct water exposure.
Q: Can I air dry the ornaments instead of baking?
A: Yes, you can let them air dry, but it may take several days and the pieces may crack. Baking at a low oven temperature is faster and gives a more even hardening.
Q: Are these ornaments safe for kids to make?
A: Yes, this is a kid-friendly craft with adult supervision for the oven part. The ingredients are non-toxic, but they are not for eating.
Q: Can I paint them with watercolors?
A: Watercolors can work, but acrylic paints give stronger colors and hold better. Seal with varnish for protection.
Q: How do I fix small cracks?
A: Mix a tiny paste with flour and water and smooth it into cracks before painting. Sand lightly after fully dry for a clean finish.
Final Thoughts
Salt dough ornaments give you a simple way to make personal decorations and gifts. The recipe uses three basic ingredients and a low oven temperature, so it is easy and calm. You can make many styles from one batch and keep the process fun with kids or friends. With a little paint and string, your ornaments will become keepsakes. Try different shapes, textures, and finishes to find what you like best.
Ready to Give It a Try?
Gather flour, salt, and water. Clear a table, invite the family, and start shaping. Take your time and enjoy the small moments of making by hand. This recipe is forgiving and open to your ideas. When you finish, hang your pieces or wrap them to share with someone special.
Conclusion
If you want more tips and a detailed guide on salt dough that helps with texture and baking times, this article is a helpful resource: The Best Salt Dough (for Ornaments and Crafting!) to Make with the …
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Best Salt Dough Ornaments
- Total Time: 135 minutes
- Yield: 10 ornaments 1x
- Diet: None
Description
Create charming, handmade salt dough ornaments using just three simple ingredients. Perfect for gift-giving and home decoration!
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup salt
- 1/2 cup water
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix the flour and salt together.
- Gradually add the water and stir until it forms a dough.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface until smooth.
- Roll out the dough to your desired thickness.
- Use cookie cutters or your hands to shape the ornaments.
- Make a hole for hanging using a straw.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 200°F (95°C) for 2-3 hours, or until hard.
- Let cool, and then paint or decorate as desired.
Notes
If the dough cracks, dampen your fingers and press the edges gently to smooth them.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 120 minutes
- Category: Craft
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ornament
- Calories: 5
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg