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Easy Salt Dough Ornaments Recipe for Handprints, Shapes and Keepsakes
Come learn how to make homemade salt dough ornaments! Made with only three simple ingredients, this easy recipe is perfect for special keepsakes like handprints, footprints and paw prints – or use cookie cutters to create festive shapes like stars or snowflakes.
You can leave salt dough ornaments plain or decorate them with paint, glitter, bells and more. I’ve included tips on how to seal them to last as long as possible too!
Enjoy this fun holiday craft project with kids, friends, or the whole family.
I love to make DIY salt dough ornaments with the footprints of our beloved pets, including my soul kitty Bodhi Moon and our 12 year old chicken Hennifer! I will cherish this ridiculous golden chicken foot forever.
What is Salt Dough?
Salt dough is a simple, natural, malleable dough made from flour, salt, and water. It’s a great inexpensive alternative to clay and can be used in a wide variety of crafts including ornaments. Once fully dried (and preferably sealed) salt dough becomes very hard and can last a lifetime if stored carefully.
WARNING: Salt dough ornaments can be toxic to dogs if ingested!
Ingredients
This recipe will make about 10 to 15 salt dough ornaments, depending on the size you make them. Feel free to double the amount if desired.
2 cups all-purpose flour (not self-rising flour)
3/4 cup salt – it’s best to make salt dough ornaments with regular iodized table salt (like Morton)
3/4 to 1 cup of warm water
Supplies
large mixing bowl, or stand mixer with dough attachment
rolling pin
parchment paper and/or silicone baking mat
baking sheet
tooth pick, wooden skewer or drinking straw (to make holes to hang them)
twine or ribbon for hanging
recommended: mod podge or clear acrylic spray sealant to protect them long-term. The finish of your chosen sealer will affect the final sheen of your salt dough ornaments. I already had matte Mod Podge at home but it also comes in glossy, sparkle, or extra glittery!
Optional Supplies
assorted cookie cutters of choice. You can also use festive cookie stamps to create 3D prints and cut out around them (or use the same size round cookie cutters).
acrylic paint and small paint brushes. I used some old Folk Art paints I had leftover from years of making fruit and veggie stamped tea towels, including some pretty metallic paints.
glitter, beads, small bells, or other small charms
acrylic paint markers work great for writing and finer details too!
RELATED: Love homemade ornaments and holiday crafts? Don’t miss our tutorial on how to make dried orange slice ornaments (my favorite!), DIY dried orange garlands, or these adorable blown egg ornaments.
Instructions
1) Mix the Salt Dough
Preheat the oven to 215°F.
In a large mixing bowl (or in stand mixer with a dough attachment), combine and thoroughly mix the flour and salt first.
Then slowly pour in the warm water (not hot) and mix as you go. Start with 3/4 cup water for now. The dough may seem a tad dry at first, but should come together with continued mixing. If it still seems dry, slowly mix in the rest of the water, adding just 1-2 Tbsp at a time. See notes about the ideal texture below.
Continue to mix and knead the dough for several minutes until it’s soft and smooth. If you’re not using a stand mixer, knead the dough with your hands on a clean work surface.
Expert Tips
The ideal texture for salt dough ornaments is smooth, holds together in a nice ball, and is easy to work with – similar to play dough or sugar cookie dough. It shouldn’t stick to your hands (or only minimally). If it’s too dry and flaky, mix in more water to adjust the consistency, adding just 1 to 2 Tbsp at a time. Or if it’s too wet and sticky, knead in 1 to 2 Tbsp additional flour at a time.
2) Roll Out the Dough
Place the salt dough ball between two sheets of parchment paper, or on a silicone baking sheet with a piece of parchment paper on top. (If you doubled the recipe, split the dough ball into two first.)
Gently roll out the dough until it’s about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick (err on the thicker side for hand or footprints). Try to make the thickness fairly even across the dough.
Gently peel the top layer of parchment paper off the dough.
3) Cut or Stamp
Next, use cookie cutters to cut out fun shapes or cookie stamps to create pretty 3D designs! You could also use letter stamps to make names or cute sayings.
To do hand or footprints, I suggest gently pressing the hand/foot/paw into an open area on the dough first, and then use a cookie cutter or knife to cut out around it afterwards.
Gently peel away the excess salt dough from around the sides of your ornaments, leaving them in place on the parchment paper.
Use a toothpick, wooden skewer, or end of a small paintbrush to create a small hole in the top of each ornament for hanging.
You can roll out the extra dough again to make more ornaments, or simply discard it. You can also store extra salt dough in a Ziploc bag or airtight container (to prevent it from drying out) to use within a couple days.
WAIT to paint until after baking.
4) Bake
Carefully transfer the parchment paper with the ornaments onto a baking sheet.
Bake at 200-225°F for 2 to 3 hours or longer, until they’re totally hard and the bottom/center is no longer soft or wet. Baking salt dough ornaments “low and slow” is key to prevent browning, curling or bubbling! They may take more or less time depending on the size and humidity levels.
To promote even drying, flip and rotate the ornaments every hour.
Wait until they’re fully cooled and dry before painting or sealing. I usually leave mine in the oven overnight (with the oven off, drying more from residual warmth) and then decorate them the next day.
5) Decorate
Once they’re dry and cooled, have fun painting or decorating your salt dough ornaments! Use acrylic paint, paint pens, glitter, or other additions to add your own personal flair.
Because our tree is typically decorated in mostly gold and silver, I kept my salt dough ornamental fairly neutral too. In addition to a paint brush, I found using a Q-tip made it easy to create polka dots on mine…but I’m certainly not a pro painter!
I also used permanent marker to write names or dates on the back before sealing. Paint pens would work great for that too.
I had fun with the shapes, but the footprints are my fave!
6) Seal to Make Them Last
Since they’re naturally porous, it’s best to apply a clear sealant to salt dough ornaments to help protect them against moisture, mold, crumbling or deterioration over time. This will help them last a lifetime!
However, it’s essential that ornaments are fully dry before sealing them (including paint) – otherwise you lock moisture IN instead of out. I sometimes wait a couple days to seal mine after decorating, allowing them to air dry even further in the meantime.
To seal salt dough ornaments, coat the finished dry ornaments with mod podge or a clear acrylic spray. (If working with spray, do so outside or in another very well-ventilated area.)
Spread the ornaments out on cardboard, newspaper, or parchment paper, seal one side, allow them to fully dry, and then flip them over to seal the back side as well. Don’t forget the edges!
For the best long-lasting results, apply two coats of sealer – especially to unpainted/plain ornaments. One coat is sufficient for painted sides.
I had this leftover from making pressed flower candle lantern jars – another fun craft and sweet little DIY gift idea!
7) Hang and Enjoy
Last but not least, add twine or ribbon to hang your salt dough ornaments on your tree! I love to add little bells, wood beads, tiny crystals or other charms to the twine for some extra special flair.
My newest most prized possession, complete with a moon charm for my Bodhi Moon.
I already had a variety of skinny ribbon, festive twine, jingle bells and other charms in my craft box – leftover from years of making blown egg ornaments and dried orange ornaments
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you air dry salt dough ornaments? Yes, you can follow a no-bake option and allow your salt dough ornaments to air dry instead, though they can take 4 to 7 days to fully dry this way – and it can be tricky in cool or humid climates. Baking them at a low temperature (200-225°F) is much faster and guarantees success on the other hand.
How do I know when salt dough ornaments are done drying/baking? The ornament should be firm and dry to the touch, and have a uniform color (light tan to white) on both sides. It’s common for the bottom to be a slightly different color than the top, but it shouldn’t have a darker, wet-looking center on either side.
What’s the best way to store salt dough ornaments? Store dry, sealed ornaments in a cool, dry location inside an airtight container away from sources of moisture. Wrap each piece individually in tissue paper to cushion and protect them. In humid climates, you could add a desiccant packet or uncooked rice to help absorb any lingering moisture.
Long live Hennifer! She thanks you all for tuning in today.
Have fun!
Well friends, I hope you enjoy making homemade salt dough ornaments just as much as we do. I can’t wait to see what fun designs you come up with. Let us know if you have any questions in the comments below, and please leave a review once you give it a try!
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How to Make a Dried Orange Garland (Oven or Dehydrator)
30 Best DIY Gift Ideas: Mason Jar Gifts, Food, Self Care & More
How to Make Dried Flower Candle Jar Lanterns (Pressed Flower Crafts)
Print
Easy Salt Dough Ornaments Recipe
An easy salt dough ornaments recipe made with only three simple ingredients, plus tips to help them last a lifetime! Create special keepsakes like handprints, footprints and paw prints – or use cookie cutters to create festive shapes to paint.
Keyword how to make salt dough ornaments, salt dough ornaments, salt dough recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes minutesCook Time 1 hour hourBaking Time 2 hours hours
Servings 12 ornaments (varies with size)
Equipmentlarge mixing bowl, or stand mixer with dough attachmentRolling pinparchment paper and/or silicone baking matBaking sheettooth pick, wooden skewer or drinking straw (to make holes to hang them)twine or ribbon for hangingrecommended: Mod Podge or clear acrylic spray sealant to protect them long-term. The finish of your chosen sealer will affect the final sheen of your salt dough ornaments (e.g. matte, glossy or sparkly)assorted cookie cutters and/or cookie stamps of choice (optional)acrylic paints, small paint brushes, and/or acrylic paint markers (optional)glitter, beads, bells, or other small decorations (optional)
Ingredients2 cups all-purpose flour3/4 cup salt (basic iodized table salt works best)3/4-1 cup warm water (start with 3/4, up to 1 cup if needed)
InstructionsPreheat the oven to 215°F.Prepare Salt DoughIn a large mixing bowl (or in stand mixer with a dough attachment), combine and thoroughly mix the flour and salt first.Then slowly pour in the warm water, mixing as you go. Start with 3/4 cup water, mix well, and only add more if the dough seems too dry and flaky (isn't holding together well). *See notes about adjusting the texture below. Continue to mix and knead the dough for several minutes until it’s soft and smooth. If you’re not using a stand mixer, knead the dough with your hands on a clean work surface.Roll and StampPlace the dough ball between two sheets of parchment paper, or on a silicone baking sheet with a piece of parchment paper on top. (If you doubled the recipe, split the dough ball into two first.) Gently roll out the dough until it’s about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick (err on the thicker side hand for footprints). Gently peel off the top peel of parchment paper. Next, use cookie cutters to cut out fun shapes or cookie stamps to create pretty 3D designs. To do hand or footprints, I suggest gently pressing the hand/foot/paw into an open area on the dough first, and then use a cookie cutter or knife to cut out around it afterwards. Gently peel away the excess salt dough from around the sides of your ornaments, leaving them in place on the parchment paper. (You can roll out the extra dough again to make more ornaments if you wish.)Use a toothpick, wooden skewer, or end of a small paintbrush to create a small hole in the top of the ornament for hanging. BakeCarefully transfer the parchment paper with the ornaments onto a baking sheet.Bake at 200-225°F for 2 to 3 hours or longer, until they’re totally firm and the bottom/center is no longer soft and wet. Baking salt dough ornaments “low and slow” is key to prevent browning, curling or bubbling! They may take more or less time depending on the size.Flip and rotate the ornaments every hour to promote even drying.Wait until they’re fully cooled and dry before painting or sealing. Paint (optional)Once they’re cool, have fun painting or decorating your salt dough ornaments! Use acrylic paint, paint pens, glitter, or other additions to add your own personal flair. SealSince they're naturally porous, it's best to seal salt dough ornaments to protect against mold, moisture, crumbling and make them last!Wait until the ornaments are fully dry (including paint) to seal them.Apply one to two coats of clear sealer (e.g. mod podge or acyclic spray sealer) to each side of the ornaments, allowing them to dry between sides and coats. If using a spray sealer, be sure to work in a very well-ventilated area or outside. Hang and Enjoy!Add twine or ribbon to hang your salt dough ornaments on your tree! I love to add little bells, wood beads, tiny crystals or charms to the twine for some extra special flair.
Notes*The ideal texture for salt dough ornaments is smooth, holds together in a nice ball, and is easy to work with – similar to play dough or sugar cookie dough. It shouldn’t stick to your hands (or only minimally). If it’s too dry and flaky, mix in more water to adjust the consistency, adding just 1 to 2 Tbsp at a time. Or if the salt dough is too wet and sticky, knead in 1 to 2 Tbsp additional flour at a time.
The post Easy Salt Dough Ornaments Recipe for Handprints, Shapes and Keepsakes appeared first on Homestead and Chill.