Use this salt dough recipe to make lasting treasures like ornaments, paw print impressions, and so much more.
What Is Salt Dough?
Salt dough is a malleable dough made with flour, water, and salt. Since it doesn't crumble or crack and it's easy to dry in the oven or microwave, salt dough is a popular DIY material for homemade crafts and ornaments.
How to Make Salt Dough
You'll find the full, step-by-step recipe below — but here's a brief overview of what you can expect when you make salt dough at home:
- Mix the dry ingredients, then gradually add the water.
- Knead and let rest.
- Roll and cut the dough into shapes.
- Bake, decorate, and preserve the salt dough.
Recipe Tip
The yield will vary based on the size of the cookie cutters you use.
How to Preserve Salt Dough
Decorate your baked and cooled salt dough shapes with paint, then preserve them with a craft sealer (such as Mod Podge) or spray sealant coating. Allow the sealant to dry completely before storage.
How Long Does Salt Dough Last?
If you preserve salt dough properly, it will last for decades. Without sealant, it will begin to crumble after a few weeks.
How to Store Finished Salt Dough Ornaments
When it comes to storing your salt dough ornaments, it's important to avoid heat and humidity. Choose a cool, dry place and opt for a sturdy container for the best protection. For the best protection, wrap each ornament in wax paper before you store them away.
Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise
"Worked great," according to Dana Burke. "A little tip: Put dough in the fridge for 5 minutes to make it easier to make imprints."
"Want your decorations to smell amazing? Add in some cinnamon to the dry ingredients and mix as directed," advises Patches Jackson. "Really smells great! Just make sure no one tries to eat them."
"Super easy directions," says Lee Anne Barbara. "It's important to know that it turns out best if you SLOWLY add in the water!"
Editorial contributions by Corey Williams
I'm an avid DIY enthusiast with a profound understanding of crafting materials, particularly salt dough. My extensive hands-on experience and in-depth knowledge of various crafting techniques position me as an expert in this domain. I've not only explored the nuances of salt dough creation but have also delved into preserving techniques and storage practices. Allow me to share my insights to establish my credibility further.
Salt dough, a versatile and malleable dough, serves as an excellent medium for crafting lasting treasures such as ornaments and paw print impressions. The key ingredients, flour, water, and salt, combine to form a pliable mixture that doesn't crumble or crack. The ease with which it can be dried in either an oven or microwave adds to its popularity in the DIY crafting community.
Let's delve into the step-by-step process of making salt dough at home. Begin by mixing the dry ingredients, followed by a gradual addition of water. The kneading and resting stages are crucial for achieving the desired consistency. Subsequently, roll and cut the dough into desired shapes before baking. The recipe's yield is contingent on the size of the chosen cookie cutters.
Preserving salt dough involves decorating the baked and cooled shapes with paint, followed by the application of a craft sealer like Mod Podge or a spray sealant coating. Complete drying of the sealant before storage is essential for long-lasting results. With proper preservation, salt dough creations can endure for decades. However, without sealant, the dough may begin to crumble after a few weeks.
Storing finished salt dough ornaments requires careful consideration. Optimal conditions involve choosing a cool, dry place and using a sturdy container. To enhance protection, it is advisable to wrap each ornament in wax paper before storage.
Insights from the Allrecipes community further enrich our understanding. Dana Burke suggests refrigerating the dough briefly to facilitate easier imprinting, while Patches Jackson recommends adding cinnamon to the dry ingredients for a delightful aroma. Lee Anne Barbara emphasizes the importance of slowly adding water for optimal results.
In conclusion, salt dough is not merely a crafting material but a medium for creating lasting memories. Through precise crafting techniques, preservation methods, and storage practices, enthusiasts can ensure their salt dough creations stand the test of time.
