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If you’re looking for a fun, creative project that brings warmth, charm, and a personal touch to your home or holiday celebrations, the Salt Dough Ornaments and Decorations Recipe is just what you need. This delightful recipe transforms simple pantry staples into adorable keepsakes that can be hand-shaped, baked to perfection, and even painted or decorated in endless ways. These ornaments not only make heartfelt gifts but also offer a wonderful activity that invites creativity and a little nostalgia all at once.

Ingredients You’ll Need

A woman's hand gently holds a smooth, round ball of dough with a light beige color and a soft texture. The dough looks fresh and slightly dusted with flour, showing small natural creases on the surface. The background is blurred with soft neutral tones, making the dough the main focus. The photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Before diving into crafting your Salt Dough Ornaments and Decorations Recipe, it’s comforting to know that the ingredients are straightforward and mostly things you likely already have in your kitchen. Each ingredient plays a crucial role, providing the perfect texture and durability for your handmade treasures.

Plain Flour (500 g): This forms the sturdy base of your dough, lending structure to your ornaments so they hold their shape beautifully.
Table Salt (250 g): Beyond adding a subtle salty tang, salt acts as a natural preservative and helps give the dough toughness once dried or baked.
Warm Water (125 ml): Warm water helps bring the dough together smoothly and makes kneading easier, resulting in a pliable, workable texture.

How to Make Salt Dough Ornaments and Decorations Recipe

Step 1: Mix the Dry Ingredients

Start by combining the table salt and plain flour thoroughly in a large bowl. This step ensures that the salt is evenly dispersed throughout the flour, creating a consistent base for your dough. Mixing the dry ingredients well from the beginning will make the dough more manageable later on.

Step 2: Gradually Add Warm Water

Pour the warm water into the salt and flour mixture slowly as you begin to stir by hand. Adding the water gradually helps you control the dough’s consistency, preventing it from becoming too sticky or too dry. Use your hands to bring this mixture together into a rough dough.

Step 3: Knead the Dough

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface to prevent sticking and knead it for 5 to 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. Kneading is where the real magic happens—developing the right texture so your ornaments can be easily shaped and will dry evenly without cracking.

Step 4: Shape and Mold Your Ornaments

This part is pure joy. Let your creativity run wild as you mold the dough into your favorite shapes, such as stars, hearts, animals, or festive figures. Use cookie cutters, stamps, or simply sculpt with your hands to make unique decorations that reflect your personality or thematic inspiration.

Step 5: Dry or Bake the Ornaments

You can let your creations air dry naturally, which may take a bit longer but results in a gentle curing process. Alternatively, bake them in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for at least an hour or until completely dry. Baking ensures durability, making your ornaments ready to be painted, adorned, or tied with ribbons for hanging.

How to Serve Salt Dough Ornaments and Decorations Recipe

A sheet of white dough is rolled flat on a white marbled surface with a metal cookie cutter in the shape of a six-pointed flower placed on top near the center. The dough shows slightly uneven edges where it was rolled out. To the left of the dough, there is another metal cookie cutter of a different shape resting on the surface. At the top right corner, part of a wooden rolling pin is visible. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

While salt dough ornaments aren’t for eating, dressing them up with paints, glitter, ribbons, or faux snow adds a delightful finishing touch. Using acrylic paints or markers lets you add vibrant colors or delicate details that truly bring your designs to life and give them a personalized charm.

Side Dishes

Consider pairing your finished ornaments with a cozy crafting setup: a warm mug of hot cocoa, spiced cider, or a batch of freshly baked cookies. This combination not only enhances the festive mood but also makes the experience memorable and heartwarming as you create these lovely decorations.

Creative Ways to Present

Once dried and decorated, try threading your ornaments onto twine to create garlands or hang them individually on your tree, gift packages, or as charming window accents. You can even turn them into nostalgic keepsake gifts by writing names or dates with a permanent marker to commemorate special moments.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftover dough after making your ornaments, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep fresh for a few days, so you can come back to your crafting project without wasting any dough.

Freezing

Salt dough does not freeze well as the moisture content can cause the dough to become mushy upon thawing. It’s best to make only as much dough as you plan to use within a few days for the best results.

Reheating

The ornaments themselves do not need reheating. However, if you want to speed up the drying of air-dried pieces, you can gently bake them again at 300°F (150°C) for 15 to 30 minutes. Be careful to monitor them so they don’t brown or crack.

FAQs

Can I paint the salt dough ornaments once they are dry?

Absolutely! Painting your dried salt dough ornaments is a wonderful way to add color and character. Acrylic paints work best and provide a vibrant, lasting finish. After painting, consider sealing with a clear varnish to protect your artwork.

How long should I bake salt dough ornaments?

Baking time varies based on thickness and size, but as a general rule, bake at 300°F (150°C) for about an hour or until the ornaments are completely dry and hard. Thicker pieces might need longer baking times, so keep an eye on them.

Can I use whole wheat flour instead of plain flour?

You can experiment with whole wheat flour, but it may alter the texture and color of your dough slightly. Plain flour yields the best, smooth texture ideal for detailed molding and painting.

How do I prevent salt dough from cracking?

The key is thorough kneading and gradual drying. Kneading develops the dough’s elasticity and slow drying—either air drying or baking at a low temperature—keeps cracks from forming as moisture escapes.

Are salt dough ornaments safe for kids to make?

Definitely! Salt dough is non-toxic and easy to work with, making it a fantastic project for kids. Just supervise use of tools and oven time to keep everyone safe and having fun.

Final Thoughts

Making salt dough ornaments is more than a craft; it’s a joyful tradition that lets you create heartfelt decorations loaded with character and love. The Salt Dough Ornaments and Decorations Recipe invites you to slow down, get your hands messy, and make lasting memories with every shape you mold. Give it a try—you’ll quickly see why this simple recipe holds such a special place in hearts and homes.

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Salt Dough Ornaments and Decorations Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.2 from 9 reviews

Author: Chef
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Yield: 24 servings

Print Recipe

Description

Create charming, handcrafted ornaments and decorations using a simple salt dough recipe. This easy-to-make dough combines plain flour, salt, and warm water to form a versatile modeling material that can be shaped into various festive designs. Perfect for family craft projects, these decorations can be air-dried or baked to harden, providing durable keepsakes for seasonal celebrations or home decor.

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

500 g Plain Flour (All Purpose Flour)
250 g Table Salt

Wet Ingredients

125 ml Warm Water (Hand Warm)

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Instructions

Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, thoroughly combine the 500 g of plain flour and 250 g of table salt to ensure even distribution.
Add warm water: Gradually pour 125 ml of hand-warm water into the dry mixture, stirring constantly by hand to begin forming the dough.
Transfer to surface: Once the mixture holds together, turn the dough onto a lightly floured work surface to prevent sticking.
Knead the dough: Knead the dough for 5 to 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic, ensuring it is well combined and pliable for shaping.
Shape and mold: Use your hands to form the dough into desired shapes or decorations, such as ornaments, figurines, or patterns.
Dry the pieces: Either leave your creations to air dry for several hours until completely hardened or bake them in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for one hour or more until fully dry and firm.

Notes

If baking, place the decorations on parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Paint or decorate the dried ornaments with acrylic paint or markers once cooled.
Store finished decorations in a dry place to avoid moisture absorption.
Ensure water is hand warm to help activate the salt and make the dough easier to work with.
Adjust flour quantity slightly if the dough is too sticky or dry.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Category: Decorative Craft
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Universal