Best Salt Dough Recipe

Introduction

Salt dough is a simple, fun craft material that turns into charming keepsakes or decorations. This easy recipe uses basic ingredients you likely have on hand, perfect for creating ornaments, prints, or playful shapes with kids.

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup salt
• 1/2 cup warm water

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt, and warm water. Stir with a spoon until the mixture begins to come together.
3. Step 3: Knead the dough with your hands until fully combined and smooth. If it feels too sticky, add flour one teaspoon at a time. If too dry, add water gradually until the right consistency is reached.
4. Step 4: Roll out the dough on parchment paper with a rolling pin to about half an inch thickness, or thinner if you prefer lighter ornaments.
5. Step 5: Use cookie cutters or press hands, feet, or fingers into the dough to create shapes. For ornaments, poke a hole near the top with a pencil or straw for hanging later. Smooth any rough edges.
6. Step 6: Place a sheet of parchment paper on a baking sheet and arrange the dough shapes at least 2 inches apart.
7. Step 7: Bake for 2 1/2 to 3 hours until the dough is hard to the touch. Flip the pieces halfway through baking.
8. Step 8: Let cool completely before decorating. Kids can paint the dried shapes with acrylic paints for a personal touch.

Tips & Variations

• Add a teaspoon of cinnamon or vanilla extract to the dough for a subtle scent.
• Use cookie cutters in seasonal shapes for holiday decorations.
• Seal finished pieces with a clear varnish to preserve them longer.
• If dough cracks, lightly mist with water and smooth before baking.

Storage

Store any unused dough in an airtight container or plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to one week. Once baked and dried, salt dough creations can be stored at room temperature in a dry place for months. To refresh painted pieces, gently dust with a soft cloth; avoid water unless sealed.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use this dough for cooking or eating?

No, salt dough is not edible because of the high salt content and lack of food-safe ingredients. It is meant only for crafting and decoration.

How long does it take for salt dough to dry without baking?

Air drying can take several days to a week depending on thickness and humidity. Baking at a low temperature speeds up the process and ensures hardness.

Best Salt Dough Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 141 reviews

This best salt dough recipe provides a simple, fun, and creative way to make durable dough ornaments or crafts using basic kitchen ingredients. Perfect for family activities or holiday decorations, this salt dough is easy to prepare, easy to shape, and bakes into sturdy keepsakes that can be painted and personalized.

• Author: Sana
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
• Total Time: 3 hours
• Yield: 20 medium-sized ornaments 1x
• Category: Craft/Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Universal

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Ingredients

• 1 cup All-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup Salt
• 1/2 cup Warm water

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit (about 120 degrees Celsius) to prepare for baking your salt dough ornaments.
2. Mix the dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and salt thoroughly to ensure an even distribution of salt throughout the dough.
3. Add warm water and stir: Pour the warm water into the flour and salt mixture and stir with a spoon until the mixture thickens and becomes hard to stir.
4. Knead the dough: Use your hands to knead the dough for several minutes until the ingredients fully combine and the dough reaches a workable, non-sticky consistency. Add more flour by teaspoons if sticky or water by teaspoons if too dry to achieve the right texture.
5. Roll out the dough: Place the dough on parchment paper and use a rolling pin to flatten it to about half an inch thickness or thinner if you prefer lighter ornaments.
6. Cut and shape ornaments: Use cookie cutters to cut shapes from the rolled dough, or make hand, foot, or finger prints for a personalized touch. Use a pencil or straw to make a hole in the top of each for hanging ribbons. Smooth any rough edges to avoid jagged drying.
7. Prepare for baking: Place a sheet of parchment paper on a cookie sheet and arrange the cut-out shapes at least 2 inches apart to ensure even baking without sticking.
8. Bake the dough: Put the cookie sheet into the preheated oven and bake the dough for 2 1/2 to 3 hours, flipping the ornaments halfway through to ensure even hardness and drying.
9. Cool and paint: Once baked and firm to the touch (use oven mitts), remove from oven and allow to cool completely. Then, decorate the ornaments with acrylic paints for a colorful finish.

Notes

• Adjust dough consistency with flour or water as needed during kneading for easier handling.
• Baking time may vary based on thickness; thinner ornaments will require less time.
• Use parchment paper to prevent sticking and simplify cleanup.
• Store unpainted ornaments in a dry place before painting and after baking.
• This recipe is great for creating keepsakes and crafts with children.

Keywords: salt dough, salt dough recipe, DIY ornaments, kids crafts, homemade ornaments, salt dough ornaments, baking salt dough