Dough Ornament Recipe

Need a fun and festive activity for kids and adults alike? These salt dough ornaments are exactly what you're looking for.

Salt Dough Ornament Ingredients

The ornaments themselves come together with just three ingredients you likely already have in your pantry:

· Flour: These salt dough ornaments start with four cups of all-purpose flour.
· Salt: Salt absorbs the water and helps preserve the ornaments for years to come. Use table salt for this recipe.
· Water: Warm water helps the dough come together.

You'll also need these items from the craft store:

· Acrylic paint
· Craft varnish
· Paint brushes
· Toothpicks or straws (to poke holes for stringing)
· Thread, ribbon, or twine

How to Make Salt Dough Ornaments

You'll find the full, step-by-step recipe below — but here's a brief overview of what you can expect when you make salt dough ornaments:

1. Whisk the flour and salt together. Gradually stir in the water.
2. Roll the dough out onto a floured work surface.
3. Use cookie cutters to cut into shapes. Poke a hole in each ornament.
4. Bake in a preheated oven until hard.
5. Decorate and seal with varnish. Thread a string through each hole.

Salt Dough Ornament Ideas

You can use any cookie cutters you like! For a classic look, opt for festive favorites like snowflakes, gingerbread men, or stockings.

You can also cut the dough into circles (use a biscuit cutter or mason jar lid for easy cutting) and stamp each circle with your child's handprint or footprint for a sentimental gift. A pet's paw print would be just as adorable!

How Long Do Salt Dough Ornaments Last?

If you seal the salt dough ornaments properly with craft varnish, they'll last for decades! If you don't, expect them to start crumbling after a year or two.

Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise

"Loved it," says Cleebrooks. "I dumped in some cinnamon for [the smell] and to make the 'gingerbread men' brown."

"My best advice would be to make them a day before you have your decorating party, so you can have them ready for the little ones and they won't need to wait," recommends Jeb805. "All in all, lots of fun to make and decorate!"

"This recipe worked out great," according to Anne Marie Yach Voegeli. "I used my KitchenAid mixer with the dough hook to mix and it whipped right up. My 8-year-old son and I had a blast making these ornaments."

Editorial contributions by Corey Williams