In my last post I shared a classic, easy salt dough recipe perfect for making with kids. But what if you prefer a brighter, white dough for your Christmas ornaments and gift tags? Then I have the perfect recipe for you!
This Bright White Clay Dough recipe is just what it says - white as snow and bright, and great for painting on...but be advised, the finished product is not as rock-hard as traditional salt dough. To make these ornaments stronger and more durable, make them thick.
2 cups of baking soda
1 cup of cornstarch
1 cup of water
Directions
1. Combine baking soda, cornstarch, and water in a medium pot and stir over medium heat until all ingredients are dissolved.
2. Continue to stir over medium heat until the liquid begins to evaporate and the clay begins to form. It should be the consistency of peanut butter or a bit thicker. Remove from heat and transfer mixture into a mixing bowl. Be careful; the mixture will be hot!
4. Cover with a cold, damp dishcloth or a few damp paper towels and set aside for 10 to 15 minutes until it is cool enough to knead.
5. Knead dough on the countertop until soft and smooth. If the mixture is too dry, add a few drops of water at a time and knead until it reaches a softer, workable consistency.
6. Roll out the dough on parchment paper to a thickness of approximately 1/4", and cut it into shapes as desired using cookie cutters. If needed, sprinkle some cornstarch onto your rolling pin so that it doesn't stick to the dough.
7. Bake the finished creations on a parchment-covered cookie sheet in a warm oven (I do mine at 175 degrees F for about two hours, flipping them over about halfway through baking). Allow them to cool completely.
8. Once completely dry, finished creations can be painted with acrylic craft paints or stamped with inked rubber stamps. You can seal them with a craft sealant, but it's not essential.
9. Wrap unused dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate to keep it fresh. Use within 3-4 days.
Stamped Clay Dough Ornaments
1. Roll out dough to 1/4" or thicker.
2. Use cookie cutters to cut shapes.
3. Use a toothpick or straw to make a hole in each ornament so that you can hang them.
4. Stamp dough with rubber stamps - either with ink or without.
5. Bake as directed above.
6. After baking, gently file off any rough edges with a nail file or piece of sandpaper.
If you prefer, you can stamp your dough before cutting out shapes with cookie cutters instead of cutting and then stamping.
I tried it both ways, and the results were just about the same with each method. The method you use will mainly depend on what type of cookie cutter you are using.
If your cookie cutter is not open-topped, you will not be able to see the exact placement of your cut on the pre-inked dough. You waste dough if you ink-stamp and then cut because the scraps with ink are now tinted and no longer white. My advice is to use whatever method works best for you!
I use generic store-brand baking soda and cornstarch. They work great!
Combine baking soda, cornstarch, and water in a medium pot and stir over medium heat until all ingredients are dissolved.
Continue to stir over medium-low heat until the mixture thickens. It will turn from this liquid mixture (photo above)...
...to thick, sticky clay (photo below)
Once thick, immediately remove from heat and transfer mixture into a mixing bowl.
Be careful, the mixture will be hot!
Allow to cool, and then knead until a soft dough forms
The consistency of the clay should be smooth and soft
Dust the rolling pin and table or parchment paper with cornstarch, if needed. Roll to 1/4" or thicker!
Choose your weapon
Place on parchment-covered baking sheet
Keep the dough thick. If they are too thin, they could crack or bend while baking.
Try stamping a design with an inked rubber stamp. But first...
Use a moist cotton swab to wipe away excess ink from the outer edge of your rubber stamp before stamping your clay.
Make a hole in each ornament so that you have a way to hang them!
A straw works well for larger-sized ornaments. Use a toothpick for smaller ones.
Ready to go into the oven!
Make an impression with a rubber stamp
Make imprints with common items to create unique designs
This is one of my favorite necklaces. It made a great stamp!
A peace sign impression was made from my necklace pendant.
The finished, baked pieces:
What do you think?
Thanks for visiting!
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Article copyright Laura Beth Love 2012 and may not be republished in print or other media without express written permission from the author. For any link updates or corrections, leave the correct info in the comment area.
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