These salt dough ornaments are scented to look and smell like gingerbread! Learn how to make this fun and easy holiday DIY.

Gingerbread Salt Dough Ornaments

Last year I decorated the tree in my kitchen with homemade gingerbread ornaments. I loved the look and smell of the cute cookie cutout ornaments, but it took a long time!

I packaged up the ornaments and saved them in an airtight container hoping to reuse them this year. Long story short, not all the ornaments survived and they look a little tired.

So, I thought, why not make salt dough ornaments colored and scented to look like the real deal? I can reuse them for years!

I’m not saying that I won’t be making gingerbread cookies this year again. But, this time we will be able to eat them. My kids will definitely be happy about this!

How To Make Salt Dough

Making these salt dough ornaments is pretty easy and they will last a lot longer than the cookie version!

First, get your ingredients out. You will need flour, salt, cinnamon, water and essential oils. I use the essential oils to add the scent of real gingerbread. And the cinnamon colors the salt dough.

Put your dry ingredients in a bowl and mix together. You can use a whisk to get it nice and combined. Put aside about 1/4 cup of the flour mixture to dust your surface for rolling.

Salt Dough made with essential oils

Next, take your essential oils and add them to 1 1/2 cups of water. I used a combination of Christmas Spirit, Ginger and Clove. Add about 12 drops to the water.

Now, gradually add the water to the dry ingredients, mixing as you go. You want to add enough to form a nice firm, but sticky ball of dough. Just like if you were making gingerbread cookie cut outs! This will make the best salt dough ornaments.

Best Method For Rolling Out Dough

Once you have the consistency desired, place the dough on a piece of parchment paper. Form a flat disk and roll out between two pieces of parchment paper. I love this method that I learned from Sally’s Baking Blog.

Once you have the dough the right thickness (I like them to be 1/4″ thick), pull off the top piece of parchment paper, dust the top of the salt dough with your reserved flour mixture. Place the parchment paper back on top, flip the entire thing over and repeat on the other side.

Now you are ready to cut out your salt dough ornaments! Using some cookie cutters, cut out your shapes and place on a baking sheet. Make sure you poke a hole to string the ornaments before baking. You can use a toothpick, straw or something of the liking.

Bake the salt dough ornament cutouts in a 300 degree oven for an hour until the ornaments are dried and baked through. Once they are done, remove from the oven and let cool.

How To Decorate Salt Dough Ornaments to Look Like Gingerbread

Once your salt dough ornaments are dry and cool, you can decorate them! I chose to decorate them simply, just like if they were decorated with royal icing and sugar.

Using white craft glue and crystal glitter, draw the design with the glue and sprinkle with the glitter.

For more intricate designs I used a white paint pen to draw the design and then traced over with the craft glue and topped with a dusting of glitter.

I always like to google “gingerbread decorating ideas” to get inspired with new ways to “ice” the cookie ornaments.

Get creative and have fun! Once you have painted all the ornaments, let them dry and then you can use ribbon, string or ornament hooks to hang them on your tree. I like to use baker’s twine for a rustic look.

Unique Holiday Gift Wrap Idea

These salt dough ornaments would also be super cute as present toppers. You could keep a dozen or so blank ones by your wrapping station.

salt dough ornaments made with essential oils

As you are wrapping up your gifts, write the gift recipients name on the ornament with a white paint pen. Attach it to the gift with a pretty ribbon. An easy and a beautiful keepsake ornament for your loved ones.

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