How to Make Salt Dough – The Best Recipe & Easy Tips

Learn how to make salt dough with the help of our easy recipe that never fails (as well as tips to make your kids’ decorations last for years). Salt dough creations have been used to create precious handmade memories with children for generations; you can create wonderful keepsakes and homemade decorations. Plus, it’s an inexpensive project that kids will absolutely love.

It’s easy to learn how to make salt dough and with our recipe you can start making your first batch right away as you most likely already have all the necessary ingredients in your pantry.

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While salt dough projects are most popular around Christmas (who doesn’t love a cute handprint souvenir or ornament), salt dough crafts can be done year-round.

Not only will we share the best salt dough recipe, you’ll also find some tried and true tips and tricks to help you make the best salt dough ever, every time! Not only is it great to use, but it creates decorations that can be used for years to come.

Most of us remember making homemade ornaments or salt dough crafts with our families at Christmas. These are the types of crafts that are meant to build bonds and that the whole family can enjoy together.

Related: easy play dough recipe

I admit I was a little confused as to why we couldn’t eat these cookies, but I enjoyed them so much more than the “edible cookies”. The pride I felt when I saw my homemade decorations was indescribable. And it lasted for years!

How to Make Salt Dough – Super Easy Recipe (and Video)

To make the dough, you will need the following ingredients:

If you want to make a batch of salt dough, increase the amount of ingredients, keeping the portion size the same.

Step by step instructions

Follow these simple steps and your first batch will be ready in no time. Make sure the bowl you are using is large enough to make mixing easier.

Add one cup of flour to the bowl.

Add half a cup of salt to the bowl.

Mix flour and salt.

Tip: you can also mix in a little cinnamon at this stage, it will brown your dish and give it the most festive scent.

This is important!

Slowly add water, mixing as you go – do not add all the water at once.

Tip: Warm (not hot) water will mix better.

Tip 2: You can also add food coloring if you want at this stage.

Once all the water has been added, knead the dough for about 10 minutes, until it reaches an even consistency.

The dough should not be sticky!

Roll out dough thinly (ideally about 1/4 inch thick) and make into souvenirs or decorations.

Once the dough is rolled out, you can use cookie cutters to create various shapes and decorate with salt dough.

Or use your hands as a stencil to make a great handprint keepsake. There are so many options; your child can use bubble wrap, patterned rolling pin, rubber stamps, and natural materials. This can be a really fun and creative activity.

If you are making decorations to hang, be sure to poke a small hole (a straw can work) before baking the dough.

Dry/bake, color, seal (optional). Bake for 2-3 hours at about 200F/100C (check while baking and turn them over halfway through).

If young children are coloring these homemade salt dough ornaments, use tempera paint or similar non-toxic paint. If adults or older children are coloring, acrylic craft paint works well.

We’re sure salt dough handprint decorations will become one of your favorite holiday traditions.

How do you cook the salt dough? How long do you put the salt dough in the oven?

Now that you know how to make salt dough, it’s time to bake. As with all recipes that require baking in the oven, your oven is a factor (and may require slightly different temperatures and baking times than what works for me (a loaf of bread I baked using my mother-in-law’s recipe to the point where it turned black (severely burnt) is a great testament to that.

For best results, I recommend testing how things go when you make your first batch.

I recommend baking at around 200F/100C. Bake for about an hour and check. Flip the decorations and bake for another hour. If the dough is not dry, bake for another hour and check when it is done.

This is the best way to avoid any accidents.

Can you put salt powder in the microwave?

Yes, you absolutely can! Place your keepsake or decoration in the microwave and heat for 15 seconds. Repeat. Then heat for 20 seconds. Repeat until the dough is dry (this depends on the thickness of the dough – usually about 6 rounds will do).

What about air drying?

If your child is patient enough, you can. But the dough must be thin enough to dry naturally and it will take several days for the dough to dry completely. The dough must be stored in a dry place to prevent mold.

How to keep salt dough from rising?

You followed this simple salt dough recipe, you were excited to make your decorations, and then when they come out of the oven, they all puff up. This can happen. Why does this happen? Some flours have baking powder mixed in and they will puff up a bit (make sure to use plain flour, accidental baking powder use has been known to happen ;). Also, make sure you dry your decorations on a low heat in the oven – if the recommended temperature doesn’t work, use a lower heat and dry them longer or let them air dry.

How do you color salt dough? What do you color it with?

You can color the dough once it is hard/dry. You can use a variety of colors, I think acrylic is the best because it is really durable. The more colors the merrier.

You can also use glitter – apply Modge Podge (or a homemade substitute) or glue to the areas you want glitter and pour glitter over.

How to seal salt dough?

Your dough needs to be completely dry/baked before it can be sealed.

If you paint them with acrylic paint they will seal to some extent, if you want to go a little further it is best to use a craft sealer. Mod Podge works very well as a sealer and you can also buy craft varnish (gloss or matte) to seal the cast.

They can also last a long time without being sealed if you treat them properly! However, sealing them will add to their beauty, especially if you want them to shine.

How long can you keep salt dough ornaments? Tips to make them last for decades!

No kidding! Your powders can easily last for decades. The key is to keep them away from moisture. If you store them in a dry place (you can store them in a box and add silica packets – those little packets you often find in shoe boxes or handbags because they help keep moisture out).

What can you make with salt dough? Well, we have some great ideas for you!

Now you know how to make dough but need ideas on how to make dough. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

You are ready!

We are sure you will make the best batch and the end result will be amazing. Happy crafting.

Preparation time 15 minutes

Operating time 15 minutes

Additional time 2 hours 30 minutes

Total time 3 hours

Raw materials

• flour (1 cup) – all-purpose flour is best, do NOT use self-rising flour

• half cup salt (1/2 cup)

• water – warm (1/4 to 1/2 cup – start with 1/4 and add more if needed)

Tools

• large bowl

• rolling

• cookie cutter options

Instruct

1. Mix dry ingredients
2. Slowly add water and stir while you add water.
3. Knead dough until it has a uniform consistency (about 10 minutes if kneading by hand)
4. Roll out dough (ideally about 1/4 inch thick)
5. Make desired decorations
6. Bake at about 200 degrees F / 100 degrees C – after about an hour, carefully turn the decorations over and bake for another hour. Check to see if the cake is done, if not, bake for another hour, checking occasionally.

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Categories: Activities for Kids
Source: fetb.edu.vn