I’ve thought about making these gingerbread salt dough ornaments many times over the years and just never got around to doing it until now! When I was young, my mom used to make these and I loved to help. I haven’t made a batch since then – so it’s been over 20 years! She didn’t usually paint hers and would use them for a bunch of different Christmas crafts.
I remember them smelling so good and always thinking people would accidentally eat them. And the same is true now! The whole house smelled delicious while these were cooking! And my cousin and friend almost grabbed one and took a bite. Ha! Sadly my other cousin stopped them before they took a bite. I would have loved to see their face the second their tongue touched it and they realized it’s basically licking a brick of salt! Probably not very nice – but still kind of funny. 🤷♀️
I’m planning to use mine to make a few batches of ornaments for Christmas gifts, hang a few on my own tree, and then use a few as gift tags!
I just love them and it was fun to think back on making these with my momma.
![gingerbread ornaments with gold hooks on white backdrop](https://themerrythought.com/wp-content/uploads/14-27074-post/GingerbreadSaltDough5-746x1024(pp_w480_h658).jpg)
What you need for Gingerbread Salt Dough Ornaments:
- oven
- ground cinnamon
- ground ginger
- ground cloves
- salt
- flour
- water
- bowl
- spoon
- rolling pin
- cookie cutters
- parchment paper
- needle
- rag
- vegetable oil
- string or ornament hooks
- paint or paint markers
- paint brush
The recipe with instructions is listed below. Or you can follow along on YouTube!
![gingerbread ornaments on white backdrop](https://themerrythought.com/wp-content/uploads/14-27074-post/GingerbreadSaltDough2-719x1024(pp_w480_h683).jpg)
![gingerbread house ornaments hanging on christmas tree branch](https://themerrythought.com/wp-content/uploads/14-27074-post/GingerbreadSaltDough6-717x1024(pp_w480_h685).jpg)
![large group of gingerbread salt dough ornaments laying on white background surrounded by pine and garlands](https://themerrythought.com/wp-content/uploads/14-27074-post/GingerbreadSaltDough1-150x150.jpg)
- 1/4 cup ground ginger
- 1/4 cup ground cloves
- 1/2 cup ground cinnamon
- 1 cup salt
- 3 cups flour
- 1 1/2 – 2 cups water
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Mix dry ingredients thoroughly in a bowl.
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Slowly add in the water and mix well.
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Knead dough for a few minutes until thoroughly mixed.
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Preheat oven to 250°.
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Roll out dough until about 1/4" thick.
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Use cookie cutters to cut out desired shapes.
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Use needle to make a hole at the top of the cut outs.
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Place ornaments on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
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Bake for 1-2 hours (depending on thickness).
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Once they cool, rub with vegetable oil to bring out the darker color.
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Remove excess oil and let dry.
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Paint as desired.
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Let dry.
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Add string or ornament hook and enjoy!
![gingerbread ornaments with white paint deigns next to pine](https://themerrythought.com/wp-content/uploads/14-27074-post/GingerbreadSaltDough4-729x1024(pp_w480_h674).jpg)
![gingerbread cutouts with white designs on them](https://themerrythought.com/wp-content/uploads/14-27074-post/GingerbreadSaltDough3-690x1024(pp_w480_h712).jpg)