Welcome to the wonderful world of festive crafting! This easy gingerbread ornament recipe uses a simple salt dough to create beautiful, aromatic decorations. The tradition of crafting with salt dough dates back centuries across various cultures, as detailed by historical craft resources. history of salt dough crafts These charming ornaments fill your home with a wonderful holiday scent, instantly boosting your seasonal ambiance. They are perfect for adorning your own tree, creating unique garlands, or gifting handmade treasures to loved ones this holiday season. Let’s get crafting!
Why You’ll Love This Gingerbread Ornament Recipe
This simple gingerbread ornament recipe is truly a holiday delight. You will love how easily it comes together with minimal ingredients and straightforward steps. Your home will fill with irresistible festive scents as these aromatic ornaments bake, creating a cozy atmosphere. They offer endless possibilities for customization, allowing you to create unique designs for every occasion. These delightful ornaments are perfect for crafting thoughtful DIY gifts or charming tree decorations. Plus, it’s a wonderful, family-friendly activity that everyone can enjoy together.
Ingredients
Gather these basic ingredients for your aromatic gingerbread ornament recipe. These simple items come together to create durable, beautifully scented decorations that last.
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup fine-grain salt
- 2 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tbsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp ground cloves
- 1/2 cup water
Notes & Substitutions
All-purpose flour provides the essential structure for your salt dough ornaments, ensuring they hold their shape. Use fine-grain salt for the smoothest dough texture and a professional-looking finish. The ground cinnamon, ginger, and cloves are crucial for imparting that wonderful, traditional gingerbread scent. Feel free to adjust their amounts to achieve your desired intensity. Water is vital for bringing the dough together; add it gradually to reach the perfect consistency. For a gluten-free option, you can experiment with a cup-for-cup gluten-free flour blend, though results may vary in texture and durability.
Equipment
You won’t need many specialized tools for this delightful craft. Gather these common kitchen items to make your salt dough gingerbread ornament recipe a breeze.
- Large mixing bowl
- Electric mixer (optional, but helpful)
- Rolling pin (regular)
- Embossed rolling pin (optional, for extra detail)
- Cookie cutters (gingerbread men, stars, snowflakes, etc.)
- Baking sheets
- Parchment paper
- Drinking straw or chopstick
- Vegetable oil (for finishing)
- Ribbon or twine
Instructions
Creating your scented gingerbread ornament recipe is a straightforward and enjoyable process. Follow these simple steps to make beautiful, fragrant decorations for your home.
- Preheat oven: First, preheat your oven to 250 degrees F (120°C). This low temperature helps the ornaments dry out slowly without browning or puffing excessively.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, fine-grain salt, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, and ground cloves. Ensure all dry ingredients are thoroughly combined for even scent distribution.
- Form dough: Next, using a mixer (or your hands), slowly add the water to the dry ingredients. Mix until everything is fully combined, forming a loose dough ball.
- Knead & flatten: Remove the dough from the mixing bowl. Shape it into a neat ball, then flatten it into a circular disc. This makes rolling the dough much easier and more even.
- Roll out dough: Lay out a sheet of parchment paper on your work surface and place the dough disc on top. Using a regular rolling pin, roll out the dough to an even 1/4-inch thickness. If the dough sticks to your rolling pin, lay another piece of parchment paper over the dough before rolling.
- Emboss (optional): If using an embossed rolling pin, remove the top sheet of parchment paper. Smooth out the dough with one last sweep of the regular rolling pin. Then, with your embossed rolling pin, use a bit of force as you roll over the dough, pressing down firmly to transfer the pattern. Move quickly to prevent the dough from sticking to the intricate design.
- Cut shapes: Now, use your favorite cookie cutters to cut out various shapes from the rolled dough. Gingerbread men, stars, and snowflakes are classic choices for these scented ornaments.
- Re-roll scraps: Gather any dough scraps, gently re-form them into a ball, and roll them out again. Continue cutting more ornaments until you have used all of the dough.
- Prepare for baking: Carefully lay your cut-out ornaments onto a parchment paper-lined cookie sheet. Ensure they have a little space between them.
- Create hanging holes: Using a straw or the end of a chopstick, make a hole near the top of each ornament where you plan to thread ribbon or twine. Remember, these holes will shrink slightly during baking, so make them a bit larger than you think you’ll need.
- Bake upside down: For best results, flip the ornaments over and lay them face down on the cookie sheet. Bake at 250 degrees F for about 2 hours. This baking technique helps prevent puffing and keeps the ornaments flat.
- Cool & oil: After baking, remove the ornaments from the oven and let them cool completely on the baking sheet. You might notice a white tinge, which is common. Once fully cooled, rub each ornament with a little vegetable oil. This brings back their rich, dark color and enhances their overall appearance.
- Finish & hang: Finally, run a piece of festive ribbon or natural twine through the hanging hole. Your beautiful, scented salt dough gingerbread decorations are now ready to display or give as gifts!
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 120 minutes
Yields: Approximately 20 small ornaments
Pro Tips & Troubleshooting
Achieve perfect scented ornaments every time with these helpful tips for your gingerbread ornament recipe.
- Prevent sticking: Always place parchment paper over the dough when rolling, especially if it feels sticky. This ensures a smooth roll and prevents dough from adhering to your pin.
- Dealing with white tinge: If your cooled ornaments have a white, powdery look, simply rub them with a small amount of vegetable oil. This helps dissolve the salt residue and restores their dark, rich appearance.
- Preventing puffing: Bake at the recommended low temperature (250°F / 120°C) and ensure your dough is consistently 1/4-inch thick. Baking them face down also helps keep them flat.
- Enhancing scent: For an extra fragrant boost, add a few drops of cinnamon or ginger essential oil to the cooled ornaments. You can also refresh the scent periodically by adding more oil.
- Make holes large enough: The holes you create for hanging will shrink during baking. Make them larger than you initially intend to ensure easy threading later.
- Clean embossed rolling pin: Use a dry brush or toothpick to clean out any dough from intricate patterns. Avoid water, as it can swell wooden pins.
Serving, Storing & Variations
These charming spice-scented salt dough ornaments are incredibly versatile for holiday decorating and gifting.
Serving & Display Ideas
Hang your finished gingerbread ornament recipe creations on your Christmas tree for a traditional touch. They also make beautiful additions to festive garlands, wreaths, or even tie them onto gift tags for a personal, aromatic flourish. Use them as unique package toppers or place them in drawers as delightful, scented fresheners.
Storage Instructions
To keep your gingerbread salt dough ornaments looking their best year after year, store them carefully. Place them in an airtight container in a cool, dry place away from humidity. Wrap each ornament individually in tissue paper or bubble wrap to prevent breakage and chipping.
Creative Variations
Unleash your creativity with this easy gingerbread ornament recipe. Experiment with different cookie cutter shapes like stars, snowflakes, or animals. After baking and cooling, you can add glitter, paint fine details with acrylic craft paint, or attach small beads for extra sparkle. Explore different spice blends too; try adding nutmeg or allspice for a varied aromatic experience.
Nutrition
It is important to clearly state that these gingerbread ornament recipe creations are for decoration only. They are not intended for consumption under any circumstances. Since these are craft items and not food, nutritional information is not applicable.
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | N/A |
| Total Fat | N/A |
| Cholesterol | N/A |
| Sodium | N/A |
| Total Carbohydrates | N/A |
| Protein | N/A |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: Can these gingerbread ornaments be eaten?
- No, these salt dough ornaments are made for decoration only and are not safe for consumption due to the high salt content. Keep them away from pets and small children who might mistake them for cookies.
- Q: How long do gingerbread salt dough ornaments last?
- When stored properly in a cool, dry place, these sturdy ornaments can last for many years, becoming cherished holiday keepsakes. Their scent can be refreshed over time.
- Q: Why did my ornaments turn white after baking?
- A white residue on your baked gingerbread salt dough ornaments is typically salt that has risen to the surface during the drying process. Simply rub them with a little vegetable oil once cooled to restore their dark color.
- Q: Can I air dry these ornaments instead of baking?
- While you technically can air dry them, baking at a low temperature is highly recommended. Baking ensures they dry more thoroughly and evenly, making them much more durable and less prone to crumbling.
- Q: How can I make the scent stronger or refresh it?
- To enhance the aroma of your scented gingerbread decorations, you can add a few drops of essential oils (like cinnamon, ginger, or clove) to the cooled ornaments. You can refresh them annually by simply reapplying a small amount of oil.
Conclusion
This simple gingerbread ornament recipe offers a delightful way to bring festive cheer and a wonderful aroma into your home. It’s a project that combines ease of preparation with beautiful, long-lasting results. We encourage you to try your hand at making these charming salt dough ornaments this holiday season. You’ll create not just decorations, but also memorable moments and cherished traditions. Don’t forget to share your unique gingerbread ornament creations with us!
