Go Back
Print Pin
4.20 from 15 votes

Salt Dough Ornament Recipe

This salt dough ornament recipe is as easy as 1-2-3! Plus, after all the fun is over you have a sweet keepsake for your tree.
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Decorating Time 30 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 55 minutes
Calories
Author Heather Dessinger

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