Festive Gingerbread Craft Dough Ornaments
Bring the warm, spicy aroma of the holidays into your home with these delightful Gingerbread Craft Dough Ornaments. Inspired by my crafty co-worker Amy, this recipe is perfect for creating unique, fragrant decorations for your tree or holiday gatherings. The dough is easy to work with and dries to a sturdy finish, allowing you to unleash your creativity while making ornaments that can be treasured for years to come. While you might be tempted by their delicious scent, please remember that these ornaments are not meant to be eaten! Seal your ornaments with a clearcoat for longevity, but consider making new ones each holiday season to enjoy the nostalgic aroma. A fun and engaging activity for kids and adults alike, these crafts are not only festive but also serve as wonderful gifts or keepsakes. This recipe yields varies based on the size of your cutters, so gather your cookie-cutting tools and get ready for some holiday fun!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
Shortening
3 tablespoons (Softened)
Sugar
1/2 cup (Granulated)
Molasses
1/2 cup (Unsulfured)
Baking Soda
1 teaspoon (Sifted)
All-Purpose Flour
3 1/2 cups (Sifted)
Ground Cloves
1 teaspoon (N/A)
Ground Ginger
1 teaspoon (N/A)
Ground Cinnamon
1 teaspoon (N/A)
Water
3/4 cup (Room temperature)
Instructions
1
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the shortening and sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy.
2
Stir in the molasses until well combined.
3
In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, ground cloves, ground ginger, and ground cinnamon.
4
Gradually incorporate the sifted dry ingredients into the shortening mixture in three parts, alternating with 1/4 cup of water each time. Mix until fully combined; the dough will be quite stiff.
5
Cover the dough and refrigerate overnight to allow it to firm up.
6
The next day, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
7
Divide the chilled dough into three equal pieces. Knead each piece slightly to warm it up, then roll it out on a floured surface to about 1/4-inch thick.
8
Using your favorite cookie cutters, cut out various shapes from the dough. If you’re making ornaments, use a straw to poke a hole at the top for hanging.
9
Place the cutouts on baking sheets lined with parchment paper and bake in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes, or until firm to the touch.
10
Once baked, remove them from the oven and let cool on a wire rack. Allow the ornaments to dry completely for about 3 days before decorating.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Festive Gingerbread Craft Dough Ornaments?
They are fragrant, decorative ornaments made from a non-edible gingerbread-inspired dough, perfect for holiday decor and gifts.
Are Festive Gingerbread Craft Dough Ornaments edible?
No, these ornaments are intended for decorative use only and should not be eaten despite their pleasant holiday scent.
Who inspired this specific holiday craft recipe?
This recipe was inspired by a crafty co-worker named Amy.
What primary ingredients are needed for the dough?
The dough requires shortening, sugar, molasses, baking soda, all-purpose flour, ground cloves, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, and water.
How do I start the mixing process for the dough?
Begin by creaming 3 tablespoons of softened shortening and 1/2 cup of granulated sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy.
When should the molasses be added?
Stir in 1/2 cup of unsulfured molasses after the shortening and sugar have been creamed together.
Which dry ingredients should be sifted together?
Sift together 3 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, and 1 teaspoon each of ground cloves, ginger, and cinnamon.
How do I combine the dry ingredients with the wet mixture?
Gradually incorporate the sifted dry ingredients in three parts, alternating with water until fully combined.
How much water is required for the dough?
A total of 3/4 cup of room temperature water is needed, added in 1/4 cup increments during the mixing process.
What should the consistency of the dough be after mixing?
The dough will be quite stiff once all ingredients are fully incorporated.
How long does the dough need to be refrigerated?
The dough must be covered and refrigerated overnight to allow it to firm up.
What is the recommended oven temperature for baking?
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) before baking the ornaments.
How do I prepare the chilled dough for rolling?
Divide the dough into three pieces and knead each piece slightly to warm it up before rolling.
How thick should I roll the gingerbread craft dough?
Roll the dough out on a floured surface to a thickness of approximately 1/4-inch.
What can I use to create shapes in the dough?
You can use any of your favorite cookie cutters to cut various holiday shapes from the rolled dough.
How do I create a hole for hanging the ornament?
Use a straw to poke a hole at the top of the dough shape before placing it in the oven.
What should I use to line the baking sheets?
Line your baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent the ornaments from sticking.
How long do the ornaments need to bake?
Bake the ornaments for approximately 30 minutes in the preheated oven.
How can I tell when the ornaments are done?
The ornaments are finished when they feel firm to the touch.
How should the ornaments be cooled?
Remove the baked ornaments from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack.
How long should the ornaments dry before I decorate them?
Allow the ornaments to dry completely for at least 3 days before you begin decorating.
Can I seal the ornaments to make them last longer?
Yes, applying a clearcoat can help seal the ornaments for better longevity.
Why should I consider making new ornaments every year?
Making new ornaments annually ensures you can enjoy the fresh, nostalgic aroma of the gingerbread spices.
Is this a suitable craft for children?
Yes, it is an engaging and festive activity for both children and adults to enjoy together.
Which spices provide the holiday scent?
The warm holiday aroma comes from the combination of ground cloves, ground ginger, and ground cinnamon.
How many ornaments does one batch of dough yield?
The yield varies depending on the size and shape of the cookie cutters you choose to use.
What type of molasses is recommended for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of unsulfured molasses.
Can I use any type of flour for these ornaments?
This recipe specifically uses 3 1/2 cups of sifted all-purpose flour.
What is the purpose of the shortening in this dough?
Shortening is creamed with sugar to provide the base texture for the craft dough.
Are these ornaments suitable as holiday gifts?
Absolutely, they make wonderful unique gifts, keepsakes, or fragrant additions to holiday gatherings.