How to Make Salt Dough, and Have Fun With Kids

During the 19th Century in Germany when the tree became the focal point of Christmas, the peasants made their ornaments from bread dough. To keep mice from eating them, they added a lot of salt to the dough. This was the beginning of salt dough.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Flour (white, all purpose)
• Salt (table)
• Water
• Wallpaper paste
• corn or potato starch
• brush
• rolling pin
• ruler
• garlic press
• any tools to help shape or model the dough

1. 

   There are many recipes. You can use wheat, rye or white (all purpose) flour. You use regular table salt. You can add wallpaper past or vegetable oil. You can add food coloring or you can paint or glaze after the drying process. Following are a few recipes:

2. 

   For simple models;
   2 cup flour
   1 cup salt
   1/2 cup water
   
   For filigree work;
   2 cup flour
   1 cup salt
   100 g of corn or potato starch
   3/4 cup water
   
   for textured models
   2 cup flour
   2 cup salt
   1/2 cup water
   
   firm for tiles & plates
   2 cup flour
   2 cup salt
   2 tbsp. wallpaper paste
   1/2 cup water

3. 

   Knead the dough thoroughly, or it may crack or crumble.
   It is ideal to prepare only as much dough as you can work at one time

4. When using fresh dough, you can moisten parts you want to connect at the seams and press them together.
   But for putting dry objects together, add a little water to the bread dough and use this as your paste.

5. 

   If possible shape your dough on a cookie sheet. The back will be smooth and there will be no risk of damage moving the objects to the stove. Wet the cookie sheet with a moist brush. This prevents air bubbles between the dough and the cookie sheet.

6. 

   Drying
   Allow 1 hour per 1/4 inch thickness at 170 degrees. So, for a thickness of 1 1/2 inches leave in oven about 6 hours.
   This is for a light cookie sheet. If using a dark cookie sheet reduce by 70 degrees.

7. 

   Test for dryness
   Tap on the surface. If it sounds dull, it is still moist inside.
   If it sounds like hard clay, it is dry.

Tips & Warnings

• Ideas:
• Use cookie cutters to make basic shapes and embellish
• Make a twisted or braided wreath
• Press the dough into molds
• Press objects into the dough to make designs
• Make delicate flowers
• Make bowls using a bowl to wrap it around
• Make reliefs & plaques
• Make picture frames
• Leave the dough a natural color or paint
• Make Christmas or any Holiday decorations
• Make jewelry

[jbs2212]

on 10/10/2009 5* and a recommend!

[ccard123]

on 2/12/2009 We used to do this when I was a kid, but didn't know how to make the recipe as an adult. Thanks for posting it! 5* and recommend.

[Addonis]

on 2/11/2009 sounds good to me 5*

[emuman1]

on 2/11/2009 This will be fun to do with my niece and nephew. 5*

[msblakely7]

on 2/10/2009 Great article - thanks so much...I've added it to my favorites because my kids will love this!