Easy Salt Dough Gingerbread Men

Here is the recipe, so you can make them with your family too.

• 3 cups All-Purpose Flour
• 3/4 cup Ground Cinnamon
• 1/4 cup Ground Cloves
• 1 cup Salt
• 1 1/4-2 cups Water

1. Begin by combining flour, salt, cinnamon, and cloves in a large bowl. Mix until there are no clumps. 

2. Save 1/4 cup of the dry mixture for later use.

3. Gradually add the water to the dry ingredients, stirring until combined. Towards the end, use your hands to knead the dough.

4. Once the dough is well-mixed, transfer it to a surface powdered with the reserved dry mixture.

5. Roll it out to a 1/4" thickness and use cookie cutters to make shapes. Once you've got your shapes, grab a chopstick, toothpick, or straw to punch in some holes. Depending on how you want to use your gingerbread men, you can add holes on top of the head, both shoulders, or even make button holes! Place the shaped dough on a baking sheet and bake in a 300-degree oven for 1 hour.

6. After allowing the ornaments to cool, decorate them with acrylic paint or paint markers.

To prevent salt dough gingerbread men from bubbling in the oven, try these tips:

1. Prick the surface: Before baking, use a toothpick or fork to make tiny holes on the dough. This helps release air and minimizes bubbling.
2. Optimal thickness: Ensure the dough is evenly rolled to a consistent thickness. Too thin or uneven dough can cause bubbling.
3. Slow and low baking: Bake at a lower temperature for a longer duration. Higher heat might cause the moisture to evaporate rapidly, resulting in bubbling.
4. Use a baking sheet: Place the gingerbread men on a parchment-lined baking sheet to prevent direct contact with the oven rack, which can sometimes cause uneven baking and bubbling.

To keep those salt dough ornaments looking great for a long time, here's what you do:

Sealing: Once completely dry and cooled, you can seal the ornaments with clear acrylic spray or varnish. This protective layer helps prevent moisture from affecting the ornaments.

Storage: Store the ornaments in a cool, dry place when they're not in use. Avoid exposure to moisture, direct sunlight, or extreme temperatures.

Following these steps can help ensure that your salt dough ornaments remain in good condition for years to come.

The best way to hang salt dough gingerbread men on the tree is to use a thin ribbon or twine. Poke a small hole near the top using a toothpick, chopstick, or a straw before baking or air-drying. Once they're ready, thread the ribbon or twine through the hole, make a knot or bow at the top, and voila! They're ready to add some festive charm to your tree. Additionally, you can also use a normal metal ornament hook for hanging convenience.

Absolutely! Decorating salt dough ornaments can be a blast. Here are a few techniques:

1. Painting: Use acrylic paints to add color and detail. After the ornaments are fully dried, let your creativity flow with various paintbrush sizes and colors.
2. Glitter and Glue: Add sparkle by applying glue in specific areas and then sprinkling glitter over it. Shake off the excess and let it dry.
3. Markers or Pens: Fine-tipped markers or pens can be used for detailed designs or writing on the ornaments.
4. Embossing: Create textured patterns by pressing objects (like stamps or textured fabrics) onto the dough before baking or drying. You can find all sorts of different patterns and designs of embossed rolling pins.
5. Decoupage: Apply small, cut-out paper designs or napkins using a decoupage medium. This technique can add intricate patterns or images.

Experiment with these techniques to make your salt dough ornaments unique and eye-catching!

To make your salt dough gingerbread ornaments smell stronger, you can add more spice to the dough mix. Increasing the quantity of ground spices like cinnamon, ginger, cloves, or nutmeg will enhance the aroma. Alternatively, you could also try adding a few drops of essential oils in gingerbread-scented variations directly on the back of the dry gingerbread men for a more potent fragrance.

Besides using them as Christmas tree ornaments, you can turn salt dough gingerbread men into fridge magnets, festive garlands, wall decorations, gift tags, or even create a unique tabletop centerpiece. They also make great personalized presents or additions to holiday cards! Let your creativity run wild!

Obsessed with gingerbread? We've got you covered! Dive into our gingerbread house printable or snag our cute SVG for laser cutting. And hey, for more ornament inspo, we've got ideas aplenty!