Salt dough ornaments are a fun DIY for kids or adults. This is the best salt dough recipe, and it's easy to make with simple ingredients. Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes, then bake. You can then paint or decorate the ornaments or leave them plain.

Salt Dough Recipe

We've been making a salt dough recipe for crafting since my now 21-year-old was a baby. The first thing we made was to save his little hand prints for his first Christmas.

Then we used it for our scout troops and to make teacher gifts and grandparent gifts.

We have a family ornament Christmas tree, but I wanted some salt dough ornaments for a different decorating project that I made this year.

For more ornament ideas, try one of these DIYs:

Salt Dough Recipe Ingredients

Flour. I used cheap all purpose flour. There's no reason to use any fancy flours. Generic brand works just fine. The flour gives the salt dough ornaments their structure to keep their shape.

Salt. Salt acts like a natural preservative and also helps make the best salt dough recipe malleable. Again, you can use a generic salt.

Water. Use water as the binding agent to hold the flour and salt together for a salt dough ornament recipe. I used water run through my Berkey. I would recommend using filtered water or distilled water.

Optional Ingredients. You can also add one of the following to your salt dough recipe:

Glitter
Food coloring
Mica powder
Essential oils for fragrance oils (use gloves if you add a scent)

Tips for Making a Salt Dough Ornament Recipe

Measure Correctly. It's important to use the correct amount of flour, salt, and water to make the best salt dough recipe. Humidity can affect the dough, but having too much flour or too much salt can lead to a poor final product.

Blend Carefully. When you mix the salt dough recipe, make sure there are no lumps. You want a uniform texture that is easy to mold.

Kneading. Kneading is important when making a salt dough recipe for kids. This helps create elasticity in the dough so it holds it shape.

Texture. Your salt dough recipe should be soft but not sticky. Knead it on a floured surface until it's pliable.

Roll The Dough. It's important to roll your salt dough evenly so they bake evenly. I like to use these rolling pin guides. It's best to roll the dough to 1/4 inch thickness. If it's thinner, your salt dough ornaments could break. Too thick and it might not fully bake.

Choosing Cookie Cutters. You can make your favorite shapes for salt dough ornament ideas. Keep in mind that small spaces in the design may cook quicker than large areas of the design, so keep an eye on them while baking.

Imprints. You can use stamps or other objects to create a design in the ornaments. A rolling pin with an imprint would make really cute salt dough ornaments for adults!

Reduce Cracking. These ornaments can sometimes crack during baking. To minimize the risk of cracking, cover the baking sheet with loose foil during the first half of baking.

Scented Ornaments. If you want to add a scent, I recommend adding 1 to 2 drops of essential oil or fragrance oil to the back of the ornaments after baking. I use Simply Earth essential oils or Nature's Oils natural fragrance oils.

Salt Dough Ornament Ideas for Decorating

You can decorate your salt dough ornaments in one of several ways. Paints are easy to use. Acrylic paint works great on the ornaments.

You can also use glitter in the dough or add a coat of glitter Mod Podge for glitter without making a mess.

You can seal your salt dough ornaments for adults with Mod Podge if desired.

How to Store Salt Dough Ornaments

Properly stored, salt dough ornaments can last for years. Maximize their longevity by following simple preservation techniques.

Place ornaments in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight. For added protection, wrap them individually in tissue paper or bubble wrap before storing.

Salt Dough Ornaments Recipe

Here's what you need to make the best salt dough recipe:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, divided
1 cup salt
½ cup warm water
Straw for cutting the hole
Pipe cleaners, ribbon, and or twine for hanging on the tree
Acrylic paint

How to Make Salt Dough Ornaments

Step #1

Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F.

Step #2

Combine the salt and 1 cup of the flour in a mixing bowl.

Step #3

Add the water slowly and begin mixing with your hands until a shaggy dough forms. Knead with your hands until it becomes smooth. Add more flour as needed to get a soft consistency.

Step #4

Use a rolling pin to roll the dough to 1/4 inch thickness.

Step #5

Use cookie cutters to cut the dough into your desired shapes.

Step #6

Use a straw to punch a hole into the top of the ornament.

Step #7

Bake at 250 degrees F for 2 hours. Let cool completely. You can then paint the ornaments as desired.

Use pipe cleaner, twine, or ribbon to create a hanger.

I hope you like this salt dough ornament recipe!

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salt dough recipe, ornament

Yield: 25

Author: Cari @ Koti Beth

Estimated cost: $5

Salt Dough Ornament Recipe

prep time: 10 Mperform time: 2 hourtotal time: 2 H & 10 M

How to make an easy salt dough ornament recipe for kids or for adults.

materials:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, divided
1 cup salt
½ cup warm water

tools:

Pipe cleaners, ribbon, and or twine for hanging on the tree
Acrylic paint

steps:

Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F.
Combine the salt and 1 cup of the flour in a mixing bowl.
Add the water slowly and begin mixing with your hands until a shaggy dough forms. Knead with your hands until it becomes smooth. Add more flour as needed to get a soft consistency.
Use a rolling pin to roll the dough to 1/4 inch thickness.
Use cookie cutters to cut the dough into your desired shapes.
Use a straw to punch a hole into the top of the ornament.
Bake at 250 degrees F for 2 hours. Let cool completely. You can then paint the ornaments as desired.
Use pipe cleaner, twine, or ribbon to create a hanger.

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