Dough Ornaments

Salt Dough and Cornstarch Dough:

Christmas Tree Cookie Ornament Recipes

Dough ornaments are especially fun to make as a group arts and crafts project with family or friends.

And these ornaments last! I made the dough Christmas ornaments shown in the photos above thirty years ago and they still are holding up quite well. (Of course, I also have made some that bit the dust long ago!)

The instructions below are for making ornaments using cookie cutters. However, as an option, you can hand mold the dough into ornaments or other decorations.

Various recipes for dough ornaments have been around for years. The two set forth below are the ones I personally have used.

The salt dough ornament recipe calls for flour and salt and requires baking.

The second recipe uses cornstarch and does not require baking.

Just a reminder - these handmade ornaments are inedible, so don't try to eat them!

Recipe #1: Salt Dough Ornaments

If you prefer to keep the "baked cookie" look, coat the ornaments with a clear thin shellac or clear nail polish instead of painting them.

Materials

4 cups flour

1 cup salt

1-1/2 cups water

Cookie cutters

• I prefer cookie cutters that impress a design into the dough as opposed to cookie cutters that simply cut out a shape, but use whatever kind of cutter you want to!

Acrylic or enamel craft paint (optional)

Clear protective coating (thin shellac or clear nail polish)


Instructions

Combine the flour and salt.

Add the water gradually until the mixture has a consistency like putty.

Knead the dough for about five minutes. Be sure the ingredients are thoroughly blended.

Roll the dough on a floured surface, to 1/4-inch thickness.

Cut with cookie cutters. (Dip cutters in flour before cutting to prevent them sticking in the dough.)

Skewer a hole at the top of each ornament (for the hook to go through later to hang the ornament). (Option: Instead of making a hole, embed the prongs of a heavy duty staple in the top edge of the ornament, as I did with the ornaments in the photos.)

Bake on an ungreased cookie sheet for about 1/2 hour at 325 degrees (until light brown). (Or instead of baking, you can let the ornaments air dry on a cooling rack for 48 hours.)

• Microwave method: I haven't tried it myself, but I have read that you can microwave salt dough cookie cutter ornaments: Place on microwave-safe plate and cook on high for two minutes. Increase cooking by one-minute increments if necessary until dough appears fairly dry. Let cool.

After the ornaments have dried, use an emery board, fine sand paper, or a small file to smooth any rough edges.

Paint the ornaments with acrylic or enamel paints. Paint the edges and backs too. This gives them a more finished look. You also may want to sign and date the ornaments on the back. (See craft painting tips.)

When the paint is dry, coat the ornaments with a clear protective coating.

Recipe #2: Cornstarch Dough Ornaments

If you prefer a white, porcelain-like finish for your ornaments, coat them with a shiny protective coating such as a clear thin shellac or clear nail polish instead of painting them.

Materials

1 cup cornstarch

2 cups soda

1-1/4 cups cold water

Cookie cutters

Acrylic or enamel craft paint (optional)

Clear thin shellac or clear nail polish


Instructions

Combine the cornstarch and soda in a saucepan.

Gradually add the water until the mixture is smooth.

Stirring constantly, heat until the mixture reaches a moist, mashed potato consistency.

Turn the dough onto a plate and cover it with a damp towel.

Knead the dough when it is cool enough to handle.

Roll the dough to 1/4-inch thickness.

Cut with cookie cutters. (Dip cutters in cornstarch and shake before cutting.)

Using a skewer, pierce a hole at the top of each ornament (for the hook to go through later to hang the ornament). (Instead of poking hole, you can use a heavy duty staple for the hanging mechanism.)

Place the dough ornaments on a cooling rack to air dry. It will take several days at room temperature for the ornaments to dry and harden sufficiently before they will be ready to be painted.

The rest of the instructions are identical to those for the salt dough Christmas ornaments: File any rough edges after the ornaments have dried. Paint the ornaments with acrylic or enamel paints. When the paint is dry, coat the ornaments with a clear protective coating.


A quick and easy alternative: When you want to paint ornaments but just do not have the time to make ornament dough and wait for the ornaments to bake or air dry, preformed ready to paint plaster ornaments are a great alternative! Learn more about them at Plaster Christmas Ornaments and Christmas Party Favors.


To see all Christmas crafts projects, including more Christmas ornaments, please see the Christmas Arts and Crafts Idea page.


To see ornaments for other holidays and occasions, see Handmade Ornaments for All Occasions.


Before making ornaments, please read these important ornaments safety tips.