Molded Cinnamon Salt Dough Ornaments
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There is something magical about homemade holiday decorations, especially when they fill your home with the warm scent of cinnamon! These Molded Cinnamon Salt Dough Ornaments are a charming, old-fashioned, and easy DIY project to add a natural touch to your holiday decor. Not only are they fun to make, but these ornaments have a delicious cinnamon aroma that brings about fond memories of the holiday season! You can use these cinnamon salt dough ornaments as decorations for your tree, gift toppers, or use them create a festive garland. They will bring a nostalgic, handmade touch to your holiday decor!
the history of salt dough:
Salt dough have been around since ancient times, but its popularity rose in America when German immigrants found homes in the states in the 19th century. They created beautifully painted ornaments that were an instant sensation, and these salt dough ornaments became a staple for celebrating the holidays.
Why You will Love Making These Salt Dough Ornaments:
Simple Ingredients: With just a few pantry staples like flour, salt, water, and cinnamon, you can create beautiful, aromatic ornaments without a trip to the craft store.
Seasonal Scent: These ornaments will release a subtle, lingering scent of cinnamon, filling your home with warm holiday vibes all season long.
Customizable and Durable: While this particular tutorial is for making salt dough ornaments with cookie molds, you can cut out this dough with regular cookie cutters as well! From festive shapes to rustic textures, these salt dough ornaments can be customized with holiday cookie cutters and cookie stamps.
Family-Friendly: This DIY project is ideal for crafting with kids or friends, making memories as you prepare for the holiday season.
Gathering Ingredients & Supplies:
Flour. You can use any flour that you prefer for this recipe, but all-purpose is the easiest to use and works best.
Cinnamon. You will need 1 cup (132 g) of ground cinnamon for this recipe.
Salt. I prefer to use kosher salt, but you can use a finer salt if you prefer!
Water.
Wooden Cookie Molds. You can find links to the molds in these photos below!
Rolling Pin. If you are planning to not use cookie molds for these ornaments, you will need a rolling pin to roll out the dough for cutting.
Holiday Cookie Cutters. Instead of using wooden cookie molds, you can simply use holiday cookie cutters to make your ornaments!
Toothpicks. You will need toothpicks to poke holes for threading the ornaments to hang.
Twine, String, or Ribbon. You will need this to hang your ornaments.
How to Make Molded Cinnamon Salt Dough Ornaments:
Step One: Preheat your oven to 200° F (94° C). Set aside 2 large baking sheets.
Step Two: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, and salt until it is well combined. Mix in the water with a fork or wooden spoon until a dough begins to form. With your hands, finish kneading the dough together, about 2 minutes. It will be moldable and a bit dry, like play dough. It should not be wet or sticky.
Step Three: Flour your cookie molds generously and press the dough into the mold so that it is filled fully but not overflowing from the edge of the mold. Gently shake the molded dough into your hand or tap the mold on the counter to remove the dough.
Step Four: You can also simply roll out the dough and cut with cookie cutters! To do so, roll the dough to about 1/2-inch (1-cm) thickness and cut out with cookie cutters.
Step Five: With a toothpick, make a small hole in the top center of the ornament to string twine or ribbon through for hanging. Arrange the finished ornaments on the baking sheets about 2-inches (5-cm) apart.
Step Six: Bake the ornaments for about 30 minutes or until the ornaments are hardened and completely dried. Transfer the baked ornaments to a wire cooling rack to finish cooling completely. Once cooled, thread some string or twine through the hole and hang on the tree!
Tips for Long-Lasting Ornaments:
Store Carefully: Keep your cinnamon salt dough ornaments in a cool, dry place during the off-season. Store them in a well-sealed container with tissue paper between layers to prevent damage.
Avoid Moisture: These ornaments are not edible and are best stored away from any damp areas, as moisture can make them crumble or lose shape.
Handle with Care: While durable, salt dough ornaments can be fragile, especially after a year or two. Be gentle when hanging or removing them from storage.
My Favorite Holiday Cookie Molds:
You can find so many beautiful cookie molds all over the internet or at specialty shops! Many of my favorite cookie molds are antiques, but there are several truly beautiful reproductions or even new designs that are just as charming as the old-fashioned ones.
Here are some of my favorite cookie molds that you can purchase online:
Final Thoughts:
These cinnamon-scented salt dough ornaments will add a personal, cozy touch to your holiday decor. With each ornament you make, you’re crafting memories that last as long as the scent lingers in your home. This holiday season, enjoy the warmth of handmade creations with these easy and charming molded cinnamon salt dough ornaments. Whether decorating your tree, gifting them to loved ones, or using them to create a garland, these ornaments are a sweet and simple way to celebrate the season!
xoxo Kayla
Cinnamon Salt Dough
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup ground cinnamon
- 1 cup salt
- 3/4 cups water
Instructions
- Whisk together the flour, cinnamon, and salt until it is well combined.
- Mix in the water with a fork or wooden spoon until a dough begins to form. Finish kneading the dough together with your hands. It will be moldable and a bit dry, like play dough. It should not be wet or sticky.
- This dough can be rolled and cut out like cookies, or it can be pressed into cookie molds.
- To make into cookie molds, flour the molds generously and press the dough into the mold so that it is filled fully. With a bench scraper or spatula, scrape away any excess dough. Shake or knock out the molded dough onto the countertop.
- To cut out the ornaments, roll the dough to about 1/2-inch thickness and cut out with cookie cutters.
- Do not forget to make a small hole in the tops of ornaments with a toothpick before baking!
- Bake the ornaments at 200° F for about 30 minutes or until the ornaments are hardened. Let cool completely, place string or twine through the hole, and hang on the tree!
