Gingerbread Scented Salt Dough Recipe (2024)

Home > Crafts for and with Kids > Gingerbread Christmas Salt Dough Recipe

ByCerys ParkerPublished on

Did you know that you can use spices in your salt dough recipe to give it a scent and colour?

Our favourite salt dough to make for Christmas decorations is to use the spices we use for our gingerbread men and houses. This colours the dough and once dry it still smells of gingerbread too.

So here we go our best Christmas gingerbread Salt Dough Recipe.

Gingerbread Scented Salt Dough Recipe (1)

Go to Printable Step-by-Step Guide

What You'll Find on This Page

Gingerbread Salt Dough Ornament Recipe

Normally the recipe for salt dough only contains 3 ingredients – salt, flour and warm water.

But, by adding some ground spices you can transform it and take it to the next level.

Because the spices also add a little colour instead of fully painting the dried ornaments you could add finer details only with acrylic paints.

What I have found is that sometimes I need to add a little more water but add it gradually and only if the mixture is a little bit drier.

Christmas Salt Dough Gingerbread Ingredients

  • 1 cup Flour
  • 1/4 – 1/2 cup Water
  • 1/2 cup Salt
  • 2 tsp ground ginger
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ground cloves
  • 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

Check out our Salt Dough Gingerbread Men Ornaments for how we made them brown when dry without needing to paint them fully!

How to Make Gingerbread Salt Dough

Gingerbread Scented Salt Dough Recipe (2)
  1. In a bowl add the salt, flour and spices and combine.
  2. Add the water (if you are colouring add this to the water now and mix) to the dried ingredients
  3. Stir till a dough is formed.
  4. Remove from the bowl and knead until smooth.

With the dough made you are now ready to create some scented Christmas decorations.

Gingerbread Scented Salt Dough Recipe (4)

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Can you paint the Salt Dough Before Drying?

This is no as the dough is too soft and the colour will not take as well. Instead oven-dry the dough let cool and then paint afterwards.

You can also use the same spice mix with our quickest ever salt dough recipe and follow the instructions carefully in the post. This will reduce the drying time to 2 to 3 minutes it varies with your microwave.

It’s also possible to air dry these scented Christmas Tree Ornaments. Place them on the baking tray and then in a warm place. It will take a long time for them to dry – depending on the temperature it could be 2 days or more!

Ideas for Using this Gingerbread SAlt Dough Recipe

Gingerbread Scented Salt Dough Recipe (5)
Gingerbread Scented Salt Dough Recipe (6)

We’ve used this recipe in 2 crafts so far –

  • Gingerbread man garland T at 3 years old threaded this to create a pattern and decoration for the house.
  • With a little extra we were able to make the gingerbread salt dough darker and retain the colour once dried. Then made Gingerbread Men Ornaments.

Gingerbread Salt Dough Recipe for Christmas Tree Ornaments

Cerys Parker

Simple Christmas salt dough recipe for making gingerbread scented ornaments for the Christmas Tree

5 from 1 vote

Print Instructions

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Activity Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins

Equipment Needed

  • Rolling Pin

Materials Needed

Instructions

Making the Dough

  • In a large mixing bowl add the salt, flour and spices and combine.

    Gingerbread Scented Salt Dough Recipe (8)

  • Add the water (if you are colouring add this to the water now and mix) to the bowl.

  • Stir till a dough starts to form.

  • Knead on a surface for about 3 minutes until you have a smooth dough. Now use as you would your normal salt dough recipe.

    Gingerbread Scented Salt Dough Recipe (9)

Keyword Christmas Crafts, Christmas Decorations, Christmas Ornaments, Salt Dough

Have you Made This?Let us know how it went!

More Christmas Salt Dough Recipes

Gingerbread Scented Salt Dough Recipe (10)

Not everyone likes the smell of gingerbread so a great alternative to use is our cinnamon salt dough recipe.

Gingerbread Scented Salt Dough Recipe (11)

Author

Gingerbread Scented Salt Dough Recipe (12)

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.

Gingerbread Scented Salt Dough Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Can you add scent to salt dough? ›

Simply add the salt and flour together and mix to form a soft but not sticky dough. If the dough feels too wet you can add in more flour, alternatively if it feels dry just simply add in more water. Next you need to add your scent and colour. You can use any herbs, flowers, spices or essences and oils for your scents.

Can you use salt dough to make gingerbread house? ›

If you're looking for fun Christmas crafts this year, making salt dough gingerbread houses or Christmas decorations is a great idea. This is the perfect craft to get the look of gingerbread but still be able to enjoy it next year. Our salt dough creations look and smell amazing with the addition of cinnamon.

Is it better to bake or air dry salt dough? ›

My home ovens lowest temperature is 75C which is perfect for slow drying of the salt dough. If you find that your oven has the lowest temperature of above 150C then I would advise you to air dry your salt dough creations which will take considerably longer but will prevent the puffing up.

How do you add scent to salt? ›

Simple Scented Bath Salt Recipe

In a mixing bowl, add drops of the essential oil to the bath salt and mix well. Store in a glass jar. Add 1/3 to 1/2 cup of the scented salts to a bath for a soothing, luxurious experience!

Can you use Sharpie on salt dough? ›

Before baking the ornaments, press rubber stamps into the dough with holiday greetings, the year or even the names of loved ones. If you like to pay attention to every little detail, a fine-point marker is the perfect tool for the job (we like to use Sharpie Fine Point Permanent Markers).

What makes gingerbread smell like gingerbread? ›

As do the addition of nutmeg or allspice and cloves, all very distinct by themselves. All four sweet spices of ginger, cinnamon, allspice and cloves, in descending order of the usual measured portion, come together into an spice amalgam that makes gingerbread smell like gingerbread.

How to make gingerbread scented playdough? ›

This recipe is easy to make, and very similar to store bought Play Doh.
  1. 1 cup Flour.
  2. 1/4 cup Salt.
  3. 2 tsp Cream of Tartar.
  4. 1 cup Water.
  5. 1 1/2 or 2 TBSP Vegetable Oil ~ I have used both measurements successfully and love how soft it makes the dough feel.
  6. 1 – 2 tsp ground Cinnamon.
  7. 1- 2 tsp ground Ginger.
  8. 1 tsp ground Nutmeg.

Why is gingerbread dough hard? ›

Molasses and honey hardens gingerbread, but as the sugar absorbs moisture, it will get softer.” Cookbook author and ”Great American Baking Show” winner Vallery Lomas likes a gingerbread cookie that's packed with flavor.

Does pink Himalayan salt work for salt dough? ›

Mineral-rich sea salt or Himalayan salt is much healthier to eat but doesn't work as well for DIY salt dough ornaments. Regular, cheap table salt from the cardboard canister at the store makes the best salt dough.

What is the best salt for dough? ›

Most baking recipes typically use either one of these salts: table salt, kosher salt, or sea salt. While all three types will work in most baking recipes, it's best to use the specific one that the recipe recommends. And if the recipe doesn't specify, I recommend using table salt or kosher salt.

Why do you need bicarbonate of soda in gingerbread? ›

Bicarbonate of soda, or baking soda, is an alkali which is used to raise soda breads and full-flavoured cakes such as gingerbread, fruit cake, chocolate cake and carrot cake. It needs an acid (as well as moisture) to activate it so is often combined with cream of tartar, yogurt, buttermilk or milk.

How to tell when salt dough is done? ›

How do you know when salt dough is done? It will be hard to the touch but still light in color on the top. You want to make sure to cook them low and slow to prevent the outside from browning while the inside is still raw.

Can you overbake salt dough? ›

If you overcook them, they tend to bubble up.

Do you paint salt dough before baking? ›

Once you've formed your salt dough, you can cook the creations in the oven to make them set. Once baked, they will harden and can be painted and decorated after they cooled down!

Can you put oil in salt dough? ›

Salt Dough Recipe Directions

Mix the salt and floor together. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add 3/4 cup of water and oil. Begin mixing with a spoon, then finish kneading with hands. If the dough is crumbly, add 1 or 2 tablespoons of water until the dough stays together and is smooth.

What do you spray on salt dough? ›

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.

Can I add cinnamon to salt dough ornaments? ›

Instructions. In a medium bowl mix 1 cup of flour, 1/2 cup of salt, & 3/4 cup cinnamon. Knead for 15-30 seconds to create a workable dough. Next, roll out your dough & use your Christmas cookie cutters to create the shapes for your ornaments & use a chopstick to create a hole at the top of the ornament.

Can you add Colour to salt dough? ›

Make your own naturally-dyed salt dough with just a few simple ingredients. You can add different colours to your dough using natural dyes from grass, flower petals, fruits or even charcoal. Don't be afraid to experiment with this and have fun.

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