Easy Salt Dough Ornaments made with just 3 staple ingredients! Easy enough for little hands this classic recipe is a fun family tradition! A tried and true recipe to decorate your tree and gifts!
In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer, whisk to combine flour and salt.
Over medium low speed, gradually add water, reserving a few tablespoons. Mix until well combined and just moist. Add remaining water 1 tablespoon at a time, as needed.
Using your hands on a lightly floured surface or mixer fitted with the dough hook attachment, knead until smooth. (The longer you knead, the smoother your dough and ornaments will be).
Secure a sheet of parchment paper to working surface and roll dough ¼" thick for ornaments or ⅓" thick for handprints and footprints. (You can also roll on a surface lightly dusted with flour).
Gently press cookie cutter into dough. Using a straw, press into dough shape to punch a hole to hang ornament.
Transfer parchment to cookie sheet and bake in a preheated oven 20 minutes. Using a cookie spatula, gently flip ornaments and bake 10 more minutes or until dry. Allow to cool.
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Notes
Baking time will vary based on your cookie cutter size. For smaller, more delicate ornaments, reduce baking time. For large ornaments, increase baking time.Alternatively, leave them out for several days on a cooling rack or baking sheet to dry.Salt dough can be made in advance and refrigerated covered in an airtight container or ziplock bag up to a week.Ornaments last 30+ years!
Reduce the temperature and extend baking time.
Gradually add in water, only using as much as you need.
Variations
While I often keep them classic, there are so many ways you can customize this Christmas craft! Use your imagination to create a one-of-a-kind ornament perfect for your tree or gift-giving.