Home > Seasons and Holidays > Christmas Activities, Crafts and Recipes > Traditional Salt Dough Recipe
ByCerys ParkerPublished on
Salt dough is by far my favourite quick and easy homemade clay to use with the kids. I always have the ingredients to hand and can mix up a batch really quickly. I love using this classic salt dough recipe from my own childhood which my mum used to mix up and was given to her by my godmother who used to use it in her classroom back in the 1950’s
This traditional salt dough recipe was originally written in oz but I have converted it to grams (you can find the oz version at the end) as that is what my scales use. It does air dry but will take between 24 hours and a week depending on what your child decides to make, the humidity and the air temperature. With larger models, we tend to air dry but I have used the oven-dry method as well.
What You'll Find on This Page
Ingredients for the Classic Salt Dough Recipe
500 g plain flour – self raising flour will make the salt dough bubble as it dries especially in the oven.
250 g table salt – any fine cooking salt will work
125 ml warm water
These measurements make around 24 ornaments of a medium cookie cutter size.
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Try these Salt Dough Handprint Ornaments or Christmas Decorations made using this recipe.
How to make Salt dough with Kids
- Mix together the flour and the salt in large bowl
- Add the warm water slowly mixing together at the same time
- When combined turn out onto a lightly floured surface
- Knead for 5 to 10 minutes until smooth and elastic
- This dough can be stored for a couple of weeks in an air tight container or ziplock bag with the air expelled
- Once your ornament is made either leave to air dry or
- Place in the oven at 150C for around 1hr and check it may need longer
Once you have your salt dough made, why not use it to create some beautiful salt dough stained glass stars.
Make the Salt Dough Stars now
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How Long Do you Cook Salt Dough For?
This is one of the most asked questions here on Rainy Day Mum, how long do you cook salt dough for exactly and the answer isn’t exact I’m afraid.
For a cookie cutter ornament around 1/2cm thick it’s about 1 hour, however, it varies depending on the amount of water that you needed to use for your flour as well as your oven, thickness of the ornament or model that you are drying. So just check it and if it needs longer then put it back in.
Is your Salt Dough Puffing up? Want to know how you can store salt dough or whether it will air dry we have all of these questions answered on our Salt Dough Questions Answered article.
Salt Dough Recipe for Ornaments and Decorations
Cerys Parker
This classic salt dough recipe from the 1950’s is ideal to use with children to make ornaments, decorations and models
3.96 from 81 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Recipe Video
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 1 hour hr
Total Time 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins
Course Play Recipe
Servings 24 ornaments
Equipment
Large bowl
Baking Tray
Rolling Pin
Ingredients
- 500 g Plain Flour *All Purpose Flour
- 250 g Table Salt
- 125 ml Warm Water Hand Warm
Instructions
Mix the salt and flour together
Gradually add the warm water as you mix it together by hand
Turn out onto a lightly floured surface
Knead for 5 to 10 minutes until smooth
Shape and mold as you wish
Air dry OR bake in the oven for 1 hour+ at 300F (150C) until dry
Notes
This is not edible simply use to create Christmas ornaments and decorations
Keyword Air Drying Clay, Christmas Ornaments, Salt Dough, salt dough recipe
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
More Salt Dough Recipes you may like
Check out these variations on this recipe to make with kids
- Christmas Scented Salt Dough
- Microwave Salt Dough
- White Salt Dough Recipe
- Gingerbread Salt Dough
Author
Cerys Parker
Cerys is a marine biologist, environmental educator, teacher, mum, and home educator from the UK. She loves getting creative, whether it is with simple and easy crafts and ideas, activities to make learning fun, or delicious recipes that you and your kids can cook together you'll find them all shared here on Rainy Day Mum.