
Ready, set, bake! If you’re looking for a fun project to do with your kids for the holidays, THIS IS IT. The process is super easy – just mix up three ingredients, bake, and decorate.
After all the fun is over you have a sweet keepsake for your tree . . . and possibly a thoughtful homemade gift for the grandparents, too.
Now, if you’ve seen pictures of my home on Instagram you may have noticed I like bright colors. My Christmas tree is no exception, but these would be beautiful with more traditional colors, too.
Below you’ll find:
- A video my daughter and I filmed last year while making our ornaments
- Written step-by-step instructions and photos from a previous year
- Answers to the most common questions I’ve received since first posting this tutorial years ago
Oh, and this is important: I highly recommend whipping up a batch of homemade egg nog or hot chocolate while you work – it makes the the whole experience even more fun.
How To Make Salt Dough Ornaments (VIDEO)
Although my family is gluten-free, we are able to touch wheat without problems. For that reason I often use this recipe instead of my gluten-free salt dough ornaments.
Although still super simple, the gluten-free version requires heating twice – once on the stovetop to thicken the dough and once in the oven to bake the ornaments. With the recipe in this article, you can skip thickening the dough and just bake the ornaments. Here’s an overview of the process.
Oh, and if you need more ideas for under the tree, I’ve put together 100+ gift ideas for everyone on your list.

How To Make Salt Dough Ornaments (Step-By-Step Photo Instructions)
When the photos below were taken, my then six year-old was able to do everything on her own except the baking, and my four year-old only needed help a few times. When they were smaller I gave them a little more guidance but mostly let them figure things out on their own.
When a particular ornament didn’t turn out like they wanted – they didn’t love the color after all or the brush strokes look messy – I found that handing them the glitter usually resolved the issue. With that in mind, here’s the step-by-step process:

Step 1: Preheat oven to 225F. Measure flour and salt, then add them to a medium mixing bowl and stir.

Step 2: Add water and knead the dough.
Measure out your water and add it to the bowl, then mix until everything is well combined.
Place parchment paper on your work surface and sprinkle it with flour. Set the dough on the parchment paper and knead it until it’s soft and pliable. (Tip: If your dough is super sticky, add more flour.)

Step 3: Using a lightly floured rolling pin, roll out the dough to 1/4 inch thickness.
Tip: Only roll the dough in one direction. Rolling back and forth can create air pockets that cause the ornaments to puff up while baking.

Step 4: Cut out ornaments using cookie cutters.

Step 5: Peel away the dough and lift the cutout.

Step 6: Place the cutout on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
As you can see in the photo, I didn’t do that. However, some readers have reported their ornaments stuck to the cookie sheet, so now I recommend lining with parchment paper just in case.

Step 7: Create a hole for the twine that will hang the ornament.
Using a straw, create a hole for the twine that will hang the ornament. Place the ornaments in the oven and bake for two to three hours, or until completely dry. Flip once while baking, then remove the ornaments from the oven and allow to cool completely.

Step 9: Bake
Place the ornaments in the oven and bake for two to three hours, or until completely dry. Flip once while baking, then remove the ornaments from the oven and allow to cool completely.
Step 8: When the ornaments have cooled, decorate them with paints and/or glitter if desired.

Optional step: Seal ornaments with three to four thin coats of non-toxic acrylic varnish after the decorative paint has fully dried.
If you want your ornaments to last for years and years, make sure to coat the entire surface with acrylic varnish to prevent moisture from getting in.


Step 9; Snap a selfie, because while you **may** have managed to prevent your preschooler from painting the kitchen table, you did not prevent him from painting you.


Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on the size of the cookie cutters. Personally, I’ve found that one batch makes enough for all three of my kids to decorate to their hearts content.
I’ve never experienced this issue but a few of you have mentioned it over the years. Fortunately, thanks to a comment from Carrie, I think we’ve solved the issue. According to her experience rolling dough for gingerbread houses, it’s important to only roll the dough in one direction because rolling back and forth can create large, flat air pockets that cause the dough to puff up.
I used it to make a handprint with my littlest was a baby and it worked beautifully, but some people have reported that their handprints lost some of their shape while baking. This may be because handprints are thicker and potentially more prone to air pockets. My suggestion would be to bake at a lower temperature (170F – 190F) for a longer period of time to help them cure more slowly and hopefully keep their shape.
Salt Dough Ornament Recipe
Equipment
- Cookie sheet (This stainless steel one is an investment but is my go-to for all baking. Unlike other ones I've had that have become warped or corroded, it's still like new years after I bought it)
- Drinking straw
- Holiday shaped cookie cutters
- Paintbrush
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (self-rising flour should not be used as it will cause the ornaments to bubble up while baking)
- ½ cup salt
- ½ cup water (or more as needed)
- acrylic paints
- glitter (optional)
- twine (for hanging the ornaments)
- non-toxic acrylic varnish for sealing the ornaments (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 225F. Add the flour and salt to a medium mixing bowl and stir.
- Add the water to the mixing bowl and stir until everything is well-combined.
- Place a sheet of parchment paper on your work surface and sprinkle it with flour. Knead the dough until it’s soft and pliable. If your dough is super sticky, add more flour.
- Using a lightly floured rolling pin, roll out the dough to 1/4 inch thickness. Only roll the dough in one direction, because rolling back and forth can create air pockets that cause the ornaments to puff up while baking.
- Cut out ornaments using cookie cutters. Peel away the dough and lift the cutout. Place it on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Using a straw, create a hole for the twine that will hang the ornament. Place the ornaments in the oven and bake for two to three hours, or until completely dry. Flip once while baking, then remove the ornaments from the oven and allow to cool completely.
- When the ornaments have cooled, decorate them with paints and/or glitter if desired. If you want your ornaments to last for years and years, seal them with three to four thin coats of non-toxic acrylic varnish after the decorative paint has fully dried. Make sure to coat the entire surface to prevent moisture from getting in.
Video
Looking for more fun projects?

We made these yarn ball ornaments a few years ago. They’re one of our favorites to hang on the tree!

This fun, easy play dough recipe uses stuff you probably already have in your fridge/pantry, and there’s a gluten-free option at the bottom for those who need it.

It’s squishy yet crumbly. You can mold with it or smash it to smithereens. What is it? MOON SAND! If you haven’t heard of it, here’s what you need to know: Kids love it, and you can make it in under 10 minutes from stuff you already have in your pantry. Here’s how.
Laurel Monkman
I wish I lived in a less humid place!
ReNee O. McDonald
I was looking for something on my tree! This is it! Thank you!
Carrie @ Bakeaholic Mama
I love this! I have been saying I want to do this project with the kids this winter but just haven’t gotten around to it. I think we will do them tomorrow during the snow storm coming our way.
Kelly Marlene Geiser
Oh my gosh we had a major disaster when we did this
Dawn Mary Jean
Does anyone know a grain free dough recipe like this?? My kids are allergic to grains (including rice) so they can’t even touch it to make dough 🙁
Heather Dessinger
I have a gluten-free salt dough recipe here.
Amy d.
You could buy real clay from the craft store. You won’t get to make te dough but kids seem to enjoy the rolling, cutting, baking and decorating parts anyways. I think Sculpty is a completely synthetic baking clay for kids crafts.
Emily
How many ornaments can I get from one batch?
Heather
It will depend on the size of the cookie cutters.
kirsten
The cinnamon dough recipe here http://www.mccormick.com/Recipes/Other/Cinnamon-Ornaments
savannah
you can actually buy powdered clay that you have to mix yourself from the craft store. then they would get to make the *dough* and everything 🙂
Cindy
https://www.yummly.com/recipe/Scented-Applesauce_cinnamon-Ornaments-Allrecipes?prm-v1
This works pretty well and smells good too
Michelle Samuels
How many ornaments does one recipe make
Heather Dessinger
It depends on the size of the ornaments 🙂
Jena Carr
My kiddos and I just finished ours up this morning! They came out beautiful!
Deb
Mine came out darker on one side and they are pretty rough looking.
What am I doing wrong?
Grac÷ Kirana
I’m wondering if this is waterproof.
I’d like to create outdoor ornaments & would love tips for this.
Thank you for your help in advance.
This is super wonderful!!
WE LOVE YOUR SITE!.
Jillian Bourke
I’m going to make one of these and put my daughters hand print in it for a ‘babies first Christmas’ ornament!
Kate
It will be very cute. The hand print will shrink and distort a little in the oven. It may or may not be enough to notice. My friend warned me, so I purchased a special no distort medium from pottery barn kids. I am sure they sell something like that at craft stores. It will be a cute ornament, but it will not stay the exact size of her hand.
Victoria J Morgan
I like your idea with your daughter’s hand print. My kids are all adults now, but we have a 4 month old puppy and I am going to use her paw print and make an ornament for her “daddy” to maybe hang in the truck.
Jackie
Does this have to be wheat flour? I don’t have any in the house anymore but I have plenty of others. Though, it’s cheap enough that I can probably pick up a small sack.
Heather Dessinger
I can be done with cornstarch and salt – I posted a recipe here https://mommypotamus.com/salt-dough-ornaments/
Mommypotamus
Jillian Bourke – Ohhh, I we did that but I forgot to include it in the post! I need to take a pic and update – thanks for the reminder!
Angela
Could this be done gluten free? I know we aren’t going to eat them, but I can’t be anywhere near gluten without getting very sick. Thanks!
Heather Dessinger
Yes, it can! I posted a gluten-free salt dough tutorial here.
Mommypotamus
Kelly Marlene Geiser – What was the disaster?
Jillian Bourke
Awesome! Good to know they worked out for you. I can’t find a babies first Christmas ornament ANYWHERE! At any stores 🙁
Kristin Fisher Lawler
Does the handprint bake up well? We just had our 3rd two days ago, and I would love to do handprints of all 3 kids. 🙂
Amanda Sharer- Yates
We may make these today.
Mommypotamus
Kristin Fisher Lawler – Yes! I will try to post a pic soon, but I used a large coffee mug to create a circle and it turned out pretty good I think.
Toni
I don’t have any paints on hand, could I put food coloring in the dough?
Heather Dessinger
I haven’t tried it but I would think so.
Kelly Marlene Geiser
I followed a “new&easy” recipe and they burnt up and the house was full of smoke for hours and we need a new oven the stench will not go away my mom told me just use the directions you have don’t try those that won’t work and she was right always listen to your mother…
Amy Hedderly
Can you please add a “pin it” button to your posts? I love to pin your stuff, but it’s so inconvenient to have to copy the link, open pinterest to pin it. Thanks for the great posts, though 🙂
Lissa Zack LoVasco
Jenn LoVasco
Kristin Fisher Lawler
Thanks Heather! I see a fun craft in our near future. 🙂
Mommypotamus
Amy Hedderly – If you hover your cursor over a photo it will give you a “Pin it” option 🙂
Marina Lambert Farook
Jillian Bourke- have you tried a Hallmark store?? They specialize in the sort of thing. Try Hallmark online?
Talley Priester
Did that this year, use half as much salt sub for cinnamon and they’re wonderfully scented.
Mary Riddell Petersen
Melanie Nemeth we should do this when we come!
Johanna
Can the dough be made ahead of time??
Courtney O'Connor Morse
Any suggestions if they’re not hardening up well?
Maria Christina Da Rocha Moliterno
See Adna Miranda Mezzaroba!
Melanie Nemeth
Yes! Mary Riddell Petersen!
Amy Hedderly
Okay, i’ll try that. Thanks 🙂
Elisabeth Carol Harvey McCumber
Good idea
Mommypotamus
Courtney O’Connor Morse – I would just bake them a bit longer.
Peggy Richards
Fun. Easy
Noelle Smith Marier
These keep for years if you wrap them in waxed paper and store them in a zipper bag. 🙂
Heidi Schmidt
These do not work in New Zealand 😉
Pam Buswell Chamberland
You are so pretty mommy pot !
Jen
Thanks for the idea! I may have to do this with my niece. 🙂 And also, your kids are ridiculously gorgeous!
Tally Paulich Kerr
Does anyone know if GF flour will work well?
Mommypotamus
Dawn Mary Jean – I posted a gluten-free recipe here: https://mommypotamus.com/salt-dough-ornaments/
Mommypotamus
Aww, thank you Pam!
Tally Paulich Kerr
Thank you!
Cassie Collins
We’ve done this twice already this season. Kids love it and makes a great cheap gift for grandparents!
Sasha Smith Fernandez
Sorry it’s sideways but here are the ones we made today. We used stamps and stamp ink to color them. Except the 2 solid colored we used water colors
Melissa Yancer
Is that vintage pyrex i spy????
Katelyn Elliott
When I was a child my dad used a recipe very similar, we did not add any food coloring and instead of individually creating hanging ornaments individually we created a ornament wreath layering each of the cutouts. The entire reath was done in white I believe he is still at and very high gloss . To top it off we used a red bow at the top . It was so simple clean and so very beautiful . I think it is a great option for older children and families to do together, and a great great option.
Mommypotamus
Melissa Yancer – YES! It was my grandmother’s. One of my favorite pieces ever.
Mommypotamus
Sasha Smith Fernandez – So cute!
Niki Gee
Just came home from my last day at work and made these with my son to start the holidays – thank you!
Danielle Shunk
Jeff Lynn
Lori Matheson-Smith
Back in 1985 I made dozens of salt dough ornaments to give as gifts as we were broke.
Kim Lusignan Lowe
We use to make these a lot when I was a kid…I think u can still find a few of these ornaments lying around my parents house somewhere
Cassie Collins
We didn’t use food clotting either but can paint and clear coat after
Lisa Clenard-Stocker
I pinned DIY unpaper towels. Now that my kids are getting older my husband and I are talking about doing this!
Jayleen Marie
Making these!!!
elizabeth
Bake for 2 hours? I’ve been reading a few other salt dough recipes and they have the same ingredients but 20 minute bake time? Big difference:)
Heather
Yep, mine needed 2 hours. Maybe they are rolling their dough out thinner or baking at a higher temp?
Emily Danielle
Ashley Elizabeth Genn Jackelyn Amber DeVeny
Amber Risucci
Cassandra Seebaum, well timed! Ha
Sarah
I can’t get this to pin 🙁 can u please email it to me? Thank u!
Thorin Thompson
Brings back memories…used to do this as a kid.
Monique Mitchell
Is there a gluten free version?
Heather Dessinger
Yep, I have a gluten-free version here.
Anna Desjardins
Thank you! I made these with my kiddos today, when we needed something to create together and connect.
Mommypotamus
Monique Mitchell – I’ve posted a gluten-free version here: https://mommypotamus.com/salt-dough-ornaments/
Monique Mitchell
Awesome! Thank you!
Tiffany Spalding
It is SOOOO funny you posted this! I was plaaning on looking into this for my kiddos tomorrow! Perfect timing I would say!!
Emily
Just wondering where you got your acrylic paints from in the picture?
Krista Leyerle Grant
Brooke Holland
Kirsty Miller
Me too Tiffany, for the same reason as Anna. Thank you!
Melissa Yancer
Do these last long?? Thinking of handprint or footprints…?
Laura Gavigan
You ave too much time.
Lunapie
Thank you for posting this. I made them this evening and I am looking forward to putting the finishing touches on them with my 7yr old and her friends..
thanks. Happy holidays
Mommypotamus
Melissa Yancer – If you coat them with a clear varnish (from the hardware store) to prevent moisture from affecting them they will last for years and years. More details in the post.
Melissa Lagerquist Legg
Crissa
Beth
I’ve done these several times and I usually heat the oven to 200° and I bake them for 3 hrs. I use food coloring as paint and old shimmer powder from an old make up kit and I put it on before baking.
Melissa Yancer
Oops missed that part. Thanks!
Lisa Singleton
Will print & file away!! Thx
Tiffany Spalding
Its better to make time to do this than to make time on the computer 🙂
Caitlin Gibson
Thanks for the idea for a morning activity – here are ours 🙂
Amy Maunder Dyer
love these!! we do them every year with slight variations 🙂
Christine Peterson Storer
Could you make these smaller and use them as essential oils pendants? Or would the oil dissolve them?
Mommypotamus
Love them, Caitlin Gibson! So cute!
Mommypotamus
Christine Peterson Storer – I don’t think the eo would dissolve them but I don’t know for sure.
Christine Peterson Storer
ok, guess it’s time to start experimenting…I’ll keep you posted! 🙂
Martha
Love this, it will be a great project for school break the couple days before Christmas!
Tiffany Spalding
we havent painted our yet, but plan on doing that this week. Another activity…2 for 1
Michelle
This is such a great idea for the Holiday season. If you use a stand mixer to mix the dough, the time spend making the dough will be cut down so you can spend more time decorating and end up making more ornaments. I will definitely have to try doing this with my niece and nephew before Christmas! Thanks for the recipe.
Rebecca
Do you polyurethane before or after painting?
Heather
After! Thanks for asking, I didn’t realize the instructions were unclear. Updating now.
Nikki
Can you use self rising flour or does it need to be a different kind?
Heather
Self-rising flour will cause them to bubble so it’s not a good choice. Just plain ole flour works best.
Nikki
Okay thank you…:-) gonna try this later! Will let you know how it turns out…:-)
Melissa
We have handprints in the oven right now! Did you flip the handprint ones that you did as well? Wasn’t sure if they’d lose their impression?
Heather
I flipped when the top half was dry enough to hold the impression 🙂
Nicole Lynne
I am trying these for the first time to do with my 2 1/2 year old. (Fingers crossed!!!) How can you be sure they are completely dry? I used the same snowflake cutter that was shown in the picture and the middles are raised (puffed out) a bit and a slightly different (darker) color than the arms of the snowflake. They have been in the oven for 3 hours. I cant imagine that they aren’t dry but I’m afraid I will ruin them if they aren’t dry and we decorate them.
Kelli
Hi. I can’t wait to make these with my kids. What kind of paint do you get after they are cooled? Merry Christmas.
Kelli
Lisa Moore
Worked on these with my 2 1/2 year old daughter the last couple days. She had so much fun. Did you know that dogs love them?! We found out the hard way. 🙁 But still made good memories. I posted about it on my blog here: http://livesimplyloveextravagantly.blogspot.com/2013/12/made-it-monday-with-twist.html
Heather
Yikes, I did not know that! Glad you at least got to make some memories 🙂
Johanna
Pinned =P love this idea =)
Cristina
I did hand prints in my dough. My dough bubbled in some of the finger prints. Any suggestions? I also did stars and they all puffed up in the center.
Heather ~ Mommypotamus
Hi Christina, it sounds like maybe your flour was self-rising. If that’s the case, try making them with plain flour.
Trish F
Self rising flour doesn’t contain yeast it has either baking powder or baking soda in it (I forget which)
lulu
Mine puffed up too in spots and I used regular flour….
Erica
My boys had a great time making these and it was so easy. I’m only having one little problem, they’re not drying out very well. I have my oven set to 200 and they’ve been baking for 3 hours. I flipped them after an hour because the top seemed done, but since then the back hasn’t changed much. The dough still has a slight give to it after another 2 hours. Almost a rubbery feeling. The only thing I can think of was that I ran out of regular salt so I mixed in kosher salt to make up the difference. Any thoughts?
Heather ~ Mommypotamus
Hmmm, I honestly have no idea. So sorry I can’t be more helpful, Erica.
Sheryl
How much dough does this recipe yeild? Need to make a bunch for our large family!! Thanks for posting!!
Heather
Hi Sheryl, I didn’t measure it unfortunately. It was more than enough for my two kiddos, though 🙂
Raquel
Hi,
How would I store the dough if I pre-made it?
Thanks,
Raquel
Heather
I’m not sure how well it would do pre-made. If only made a day in advance it might be fine stored in an airtight container.
Amanda
I made mine and put it in the fridge for when the kids woke up (maybe 2-3 hours) and it bubbled when i baked them. not sure what else to do
Sheila
How does one get the dough out with the smooth edges? mine seem to still to the cutter and take on a shape of their own? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated
Rochelle Hussey
Trying these right now for my children to decorate as the oldest wants all decorations to be hand made this year. I rolled them thin and it was a great dough to work with. Will it be ok to spray with protection after the holidays? Or does it have to be done the same day?
Heather Dessinger
If your environment is dry I would think so 🙂
Jessica
We are going to make these and string them together like a banner 🙂
Kathryn
Hello! Getting ready to make this with my counseling kids at school- based on the ingredients that you have listed, how many ornaments can you make out this? Thanks!
Heather
Hi Kathryn, it depends on the size of your cookie cutters 🙂
Patrick Champion
My wife and I baked 120 ornaments today for the kids at church to decorate. For those having long bake times, keep in mind if you are baking a lot at once, it’ll greatly increase the time they need to be in the oven.
Jody
Thank you!!
valerie
Just did this n they didn’t come out as I expected they bubbled up n turned brown n stuck to the pans 🙁 very disappointing was making them for my husband ( used baby’s feet) its our first child together just wanted to create a memory!!
Heather
Hi Valerie, I’m so sorry they didn’t turn out as you expected. Is it possible that your flour was self-rising? From what I understand, that’s usually the cause of bubbling ornaments.
Lisa
Or the we’re too thin that causes the browning effect. Paint them they are still very usable, especially as a memory maker.
SARAH
Mine stuck to the pans horribly!! Any suggestion on how to fix that for next time?
Tess
You can use parchment paper
Brandy
Parchment paper worked for me 🙂
robin
I put aluminum foil on my pan and sprayed it with pam. Mine just slid right off
yosr
Hello,
Thanks for such a great way:)
I have an urgent inquiry pleaseeeee. English is my second language and I didn’t understand what you meant by self rising flour, as it is really bubble up from me every time?? I need to make flat shapes.
Thanks for your prompt reply
have a nice day
Brandy
Just use regular white flour the cheapest you can find. That will solve your problem.
Sarah C.
Just put ours in the oven and it seems like they may be starting to crack. Is this because I didn’t knead the dough long enough? I also used fine sea salt, so maybe that’s the issue.
Ruth Hanratty
Oven temps vary so set it lower next time. That might help. I usually have it set at around 50 and leave for as long as it takes.I’ve made a few ornaments including a Santa and a sheep. A garlic crusher is a great tool for beards, hair, fleece etc.
Rachel
Made these with my 5 year old. I like how nice and pliable the dough was. I baked them at 200 degrees for about 2 hours (250 was too hot–they started to get too brown). I had two problems with these: One, they stuck to my cookie sheet, and two, some of them got big air pockets underneath, and their undersides are rough and raised. Any suggestions? I would like to try this again with better results. Thanks!
Heather
Hmmm, maybe try baking them on parchment paper? I’m not sure about the air pockets, though. So sorry!
Carmela
Can you use a cookie press instead of cookie cutters?
julie
We used to do these over 40 years ago……if u would rather just put on cookie sheet or cooling rack on waxed paper and wait a week for them to dry on their own. my oven has warm feature I use and keep checking for dryness…..usually a couple hours
madonna
i made a handprint had it in for 3 hours took it out let it cool off then i painted it, after painting it the thing seems not hard now will it be ok to bake it again with the paint on it to see if it hardens up
nancy
They have to be completly dry before painting or sealing. Any moisture still indide will be trapped, and will have no way to escape.
marie
I have tried to do foot prints and every time input them in the oven they rise so I can’t see the footprint I use plain flour as well please could u help me fix this thank you
nancy
Make sure your oven is not too hot. Over 200 and they can bubble. Also, if they do start to bubble, a prick with a pin will release the trapped air inside. Justvprick and gently press it back down. Start the baking with your good side down. The salt rises to the top, so it looks whiter. Flip half way thru. Hope this helps, good luck!
Carolina
I tried this project and my ornaments look very white in one side and then the other side looks brown. They came out soft in the middle after 3 hours at 200F. I don’t know what to do. Any suggestions?
Gianne
It is rainy and the temperature is low here. I noticed yesterday that my finished salt dough crafts have become moist and soft so I baked them again and it worked, they hardened again. But when I wake up this morning, and it’s still cold, my crafts become moist and very soft (again)! 🙁 Is it because I didn’t put any finishing paints? Please check out my instagram to see the photos of my work, ”mom.preloved”. Please help me. Thank you!
Jody
Just made a bunch for the kids to decorate. Came out of the oven in perfect condition! Thank you 🙂
Julie
I made this dough using 2 cups flour 1 cup salt then I added water….that’s where I goof up. I added to much water. How can I fix this without messing up more. Can I add flour to it? Or salt? Will it still bake right?
Karlee
Hi Heather,
I just found your salt dough ornament recipe on Pinterest and have to tell you your blog with your kiddos included is so cute! I am going to use your recipe to make Michigan shaped ornaments to decorate a tree my work is sponsoring at an event called Circle of Trees. I can’t wait to start making and decorating the ornaments!
Thanks for sharing your recipe.
Karlee Miller
Creative Administrator
Michigan Insurance Group
Taha
How many ornaments does your recipe make?
Heather
It depends on the size of the ornaments. 🙂
Sarah Barnes
A friend of mine have me this recipe last year and had a blast with both my grandsons. This is a great ideal. But what do I seal it with to put outside in my flour garden ?
Tara
Hi Heather, I’m interested in the sealer (clear finish) you linked to for sealing the ornaments, but I see that some reviewers mention a strong odor. Can you tell me if you found the product to have a noticeable odor?
amanda
I live in high altitude, would I need to change the temperature for baking?
Christina
Ours turned out amazing the year before last and they are still together and awesome
Lucy Souza
I used wheat flour and it worked perfectly!
mamaof2
trying ours now with wheat fingers crossed
Carrie
I make gingerbread houses and believe I have a few tips for your readers.
Use plain flour only. Read the label, it should not read self-rising or contain baking powder or soda in the ingredients.
Roll dough out on a piece of parchment that will fit on your cookie sheet. Use pencils or wooden dowels on each side as you roll so that dough is uniform thickness. Only roll the dough in ONE direction. Rolling back and forth can create the large flat air pockets.
Press cookie cutters into the dough. Dip them into salt or flour if dough comes back up with cutter. Don’t move the cookie shapes. Instead, lift away the excess dough.
Slide the parchment paper onto cookie sheet and place in oven.
Hope you don’t mind me sharing.
Merry Christmas!
Heather Dessinger
That’s an amazing tip. Thank you, Carrie!
Donna
I made these with my children last night. I followed the directions exactly and they came out perfectly after two hours.
mark
we made these over 40 yrs ago. They are now cracking, crumbling, and flaking. i have glued them together several times. Is there something i can do to preserve them ? what is the best adhesive to bond the broken pieces ?
Mike
Loved the selfies at the end.. you are gorgeous..
Megan
Hi there, Heather!! The varnish you recommend in this recipe is out of stock…is there another one that you recommend that’s available on Prime?! 🙂
Michele Teitelbaum
What brand or kind of paint did you use? I love the shades of color and the vibrance.
Diana
We made your recipe for salt dough ornaments this morning – thanks!! Unfortunately I totally forgot the ribbon holes, so we’ll have to just tie ribbon around them. But they look like they’re going to come out well anyway! Thanks for posting!
lhb
bake at what temperature
Erin @ LiveLifeActive.com
I made these last night with my puppy and had her paw print pushed into the salt dough and it turned out soooo dang adorable. I even zapped it in the microwave at the end to make the drying time quicker!
Sejal
Thanks for this simple recipe! We referenced your blog on ours! Feel free to stop in and check out how ours turned out :). Happy Holidays!
Alice
The last week of April I made handprint ornaments with my daycare kids using this recipe for Mother’s Day gifts. Today I attempted to apply the varnish and the varnish itself immediately separated, clumped and became crumbly. So After I brushed all that off the handprint ornament I attempted to apply spray varnish. I thought this was going to work until the varnish began to peel, like glue, over the whole piece. The only thing different that I did was I applied the acrylic paint in the dough instead of painting the item later. Do you have any suggestions or tips I can try to remedy my disaster?
Jenn
These puffed up insanely, even using ap flour. Now I have disappointed kids and I need to find another recipe to make gifts.
Heather
They shouldn’t puff – did you happen to use self-rising flour?
Leslie
Mine puffed a little as well. I definitely used all purpose flower. Do you have any suggestions? More or less salt? Cook longer at a cooler temp? Thank you in advance!
Erin
What kind of salr do you use? Thank you very much – I can’t wait to try these!
Michelle
We need to make 150. How many does this recipe yield? Thank you!
Heather
It depends on the size of the cookie cutters you’re using. I recommend making a test batch with them and seeing how far one batch goes.
Mary Lou
This brings back some wonderful memories of my son & I making these for our tree and for Christmas gifts – about FORTY years ago (he’s 49 now). I still have one set and hang them on my tree every year.
Alexis
I’ve been looking for a good salt dough ornament recipe! Can’t wait to try this out!
Mar Herman
I realize the article is a few years old, and it’s wonderful that you’re teaching your children, however, you’re teaching them incorrect measuring techniques. The glass measuring cup is for liquid volume, the metal/plastic measuring cups are for dry ingredients.
amanda
Great recipe! Can we save any leftover dough in a container to use in a few days?
Saqib
It is very good recipe, you can also try for different types and colors of the salt
Layla
Awesome! Thanks for the recipe. I will give it a try.
Himalayan PinkSalt
You can paint a coat of glossy decoupage glue over the entire ornament to seal and protect it, and to give it a shiny finish. Thanks for sharing an amazing healthy stuff with us.
RBK International
Thanks for sharing an amazing healthy stuff will definitely try.