Homemade Baking Soda Ornaments are easy to make, and help you create fun holiday memories!
This post was first published on November 25, 2013. It has been updated and republished on December 6, 2020, with more helpful baking tips, new photos, and FAQs to help you troubleshoot. This post also contains affiliate links. Read my policy page to learn more.
We are in the thick of the holiday baking season, and I love it!
Are you in the holiday baking spirit, too? If so, be sure to try some of my favorite holiday cookie recipes. These are the Best Gingerbread Cookies for Decorating - soft and chewy, yet perfect for decorating with your favorite icing. If you're looking for fast holiday cookies to make without decorations, try my Soft Ginger Molasses Cookies. We make batches and batches of these each year and they are always a favorite!
For shortbread fans, these Chocolate-Dipped Peppermint Shortbread cookies are so easy and absolutely delicious. Plus they look adorable wrapped up to give as holiday gifts!
And these Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies look so fun and festive on any holiday table. These make beautiful holiday baking gifts as well!
If you want to add another fun baking project that will last longer than cookies, try my DIY Baking Soda Ornament project!
Baking Soda Ornaments
The kids and I had so much fun making these ornaments. You can probably tell, I let them pick out a few of the Star Wars cookie cutters to use in addition to our traditional Christmas cookie cutters. :)
Tips to Make Baking Soda Ornaments
While these baking soda ornaments are pretty easy to make, they are just like any other baking project. There are so many factors that can affect how these turn out.
Below, I try to address some common questions I have received about these homemade Christmas ornaments over the years. As well as some helpful tips in general to help you make the best baking soda ornaments!
- Use a light-colored aluminum baking sheet. This is true for all baking. Darker baking sheets can absorb and distribute heat faster than light-colored pans.
- Make sure your baking soda is fresh. While baking soda tends to have a long shelf life, it does lose its potency over time. I bake a lot, and switch out my baking soda once a month. While you don't need to do so that frequently, if you're using baking soda that is more than a couple months old, consider getting a new box for your next baking project.
- Make sure your kitchen temperature is average. Room temperature can affect the dough, just like any other baking project.
- Place your baking sheet in the center rack. This helps ensure even baking.
- You can use traditional holiday cookie cutters or any other cookie cutters you like, but just make sure if it's a push-spring cutter (like these Star Wars cookie cutters used here) that it has a pretty easy release.
- Try not to press too hard when making pattern impressions; it's easy to push straight through the dough.
- If you live at a higher altitude: you may need to decrease the baking soda amount, as the air dries out baked goods faster at higher elevations. Try using ¾ baking soda instead of the usual 1 cup for your first batch, and then adjust accordingly for any additional batches you make.
What's the best way to store baking soda ornaments?
Our ornaments have lasted seven years so far. That's a pretty long time for baking soda ornaments!
Here are some tips to help keep your own DIY holiday ornaments safe in storage through the years:
- Package your ornaments up carefully. Wrap each ornament carefully in tissue paper or wax paper. Then wrap with bubble wrap. Then, place inside a sturdy box and stuff additional tissue paper or bubble wrap on the bottom, top, and around the edges.
- Store in a temperature-controlled space. We store ours in the basement, where it doesn't get too hot or too cold.
What do you need to make baking soda ornaments?
You probably already have the necessary ingredients in your pantry right now. All you need to make one batch is:
½ cup cornstarch
1 cup baking soda
¾ cup water
Then you can use any cookie or pastry cutter you would like. This is SO EASY. Trust me: once you make these, you'll want to keep making more!
Exact measurements and detailed instructions can be found in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post!
How do you make homemade ornaments?
- Combine the cornstarch, baking soda, and water in a medium or large pot over medium heat. Stir ingredients until the mixture starts to thicken, about 2-3 minutes. When the mixture begins to thicken into a smooth texture, remove from heat. Immediately form the dough into a ball and place into a glass bowl; cover with a damp cloth to allow the dough to cool slightly.
- Preheat oven to 175 degrees.
- After a few minutes, when dough is slightly cooled to the touch, place onto a rolling mat and knead the dough gently. Feel free to add more cornstarch if you feel the dough is too sticky to knead properly.
- Roll out the dough on the rolling mat (I use this nonstick silicone Silpat Roul'Pat) or onto a cutting board lightly dusted with cornstarch (to prevent sticking) to ¼ inch thick.
- Cut out shapes using cookie cutters. Very gently, lift the shapes out and transfer them onto a prepared baking sheet covered with a Silpat or parchment paper.
- Use a straw or a lollipop stick to poke a hole in the center top of each decoration.
- Bake at 175 degrees for 45 minutes to 1 hour, depending on your oven. Turn the sheet 180 degrees halfway through baking time to ensure even baking. If edges start to curl up during baking, gently tap down until flat.
Exact measurements and detailed instructions can be found in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post!
DIY Holiday Ornament Ideas
- You can add further decorations by painting the ornaments, adding glitter, ribbon - you name it!
- Turn these into personalized gift tags for gifts by using monogrammed cookie cutters and stringing around gifts with festive ribbon.
Hope you enjoy this easy and fun DIY holiday ornament tutorial!
What sort of fun shapes would you use for your DIY baking soda ornaments?
Baking Soda Ornaments
These homemade baking soda ornaments are easy to make. And this is a fun family Christmas project that gives you beautiful family keepsakes!
Materials
- ½ cup cornstarch
- 1 cup baking soda
- ¾ cup water
Tools
- large glass bowl
- rolling mat
- rolling pin
- cookie cutters
Instructions
- Combine the cornstarch, baking soda, and water in a medium or large pot over medium heat. Stir ingredients until the mixture starts to thicken, about 2-3 minutes. When the mixture begins to thicken into a smooth texture, remove from heat. Immediately form the dough into a ball and place into a glass bowl; cover with a damp cloth to allow the dough to cool slightly.
- Preheat oven to 175°F degrees.
- After a few minutes, when dough is slightly cooled to the touch, place onto a rolling mat and knead the dough gently. Feel free to add more cornstarch if you feel the dough is too sticky to knead properly.
- Using a rolling pin, gently roll out the dough on the rolling mat (I use this nonstick silicone Silpat Roul'Pat) or onto a cutting board lightly dusted with cornstarch (to prevent sticking) to ¼ inch thick.
- Cut out shapes using cookie cutters. Very gently, lift the shapes out and transfer them onto a prepared baking sheet covered with a Silpat or parchment paper
- Use a straw or a lollipop stick to poke a hole in the center top of each decoration.
- Bake at 175°F degrees for 45 minutes to 1 hour, depending on your oven. Turn the sheet 180 degrees halfway through baking time to ensure even baking. If edges start to curl up during baking, gently tap down until flat.
Notes
- Watch the mixture in the pot very carefully as it can thicken quickly.
- Always use a light-colored aluminum baking sheet, as the dark-colored pans absorb heat too quickly for these delicate ornaments.
- If your oven does not go down to 175°F, use the lowest temperature setting and adjust your cooking and baking times by lowering them a bit.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
-
Nordic Ware Natural Aluminum Commercial Baker's Half Sheet (2 Pack), Silver -
Silpat Petit Jelly Roll Non-Stick Baking Mat
-
20 Piece Set of Christmas Cookie Cutters
-
Muso Wood Wooden French Rolling Pin for Baking,Beech Wood (French 15.75-Inch-by-1.38-Inch)
-
Williams Sonoma Cookie Cutter Star Wars Set of 8
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This post was first published on November 25, 2013. It has been updated and republished on December 6, 2020, with more helpful baking tips, new photos, and FAQs to help you troubleshoot.
Sarah Walton says
Love them! What a wonderful idea. Do you think you could glue onto the surface too? I can imagine them with Christmas fabrics on the flat side...
Pech says
What a fun family tradition to get hands on with the ornaments- and to have a new theme every year to add some freshness to tradition too!
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Hi Sarah! I think you could. I would be safe and use Modge Podge, but then, I use Modge Podge for everything :) These would be so cute with fabric on the flat side! If you try it, let me know how it goes!
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Thanks, Pech!
Yvonne @ Dress This Nest says
I love these! I can't wait to try this! They came out GREAT!
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Thanks, Yvonne! They're so fun to make!
april says
Mine are not cooking on the bottom side. Any tips?
Leah says
my husband would go nuts over the star wars ones.
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Star Wars is pretty popular in almost all of our crafts, I find... ;)
Deonna Wade says
Hey Marlynn! It's Deonna from the Child at Heart blog! I love this post and would love for you to link up to the Merriest Blog Hop and share your creations!
http://www.thechildatheartblog.com/2013/11/the-merriest-blog-hop-week-2.html
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Thanks so much, Deonna! I appreciate the kind words and just linked up! Excited to visit some of the other posts on there as well.
Michelle @ The MaMade Diaries says
I love this! I want to make some of these with my son next year, and I love how white the baking soda ones came out! I also love the ones you made haha. They are adorable. I'm glad I found you on the Merriest Blog Hop!
Lizy b says
Oh my goodness these are fabulous! If there's one thing I have its a zillion cookie cutters ;). Can't wait to try this with my boys this year!
Hannah says
How many ornaments does this recipe make? Can't wait to make these for our friends!
Amber L. says
I love the star wars ornaments!
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Thank you SO much, everyone, for your kind comments!
Hannah -- this recipe makes about 30 ornaments. It depends on the size of the cookie cutters you use. Have fun making them!
Amber says
I made these ornaments. And while the dough was easy to work with when I cooked them they cracked and the back turned brown. I have a gas stove and the lowest setting is 200. Do you have any suggestions?
Sandra says
I wonder if a dehydrator would work better.
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Amber, bummer! Sorry to hear that. They really do need to be at 175 degrees in order to bake evenly and not crack, unfortunately. They're so delicate that even that 25 degrees makes a difference. You could maybe try taking them out of the oven earlier. Or, it could also be that you need to roll them out a little thicker, and then just keep a watchful eye on them while they are baking and take them out just a smidge earlier. Those things *might* help.
Angie says
I'm making these today with my kiddos, and I think I'm going to let them dry overnight! They look great, I hope mine turn out!
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Have fun, Angie! Let me know if drying them overnight helps!
Christine says
I had such high hopes for these (stamped baby's hand and footprints in them) but they all cracked as they dried! What did I do wrong?? I followed the directions very closely, but am wondering if my dough was too wet, as it took a LOT longer than 45-60 min of drying time in the oven.
Christine says
Ah, sorry, just saw the previous comment re: cracking! My oven's lowest temp is 170, so I'll try that and see if it help.
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Christine -- sorry to hear about the cracking! The material is delicate and the temp, your oven, the mixture...there can be many different factors that come into play that might make it crack :( If it took a lot longer to dry then I am thinking that it might be not only the temp, but also the dough may have been too wet, as you suggest. I hope it does work out for you eventually, as this is such a fun project! Good luck!
Helen says
Thanks for finally writing about >Make It Monday: DIY Baking Soda Christmas Ornaments | <Liked it!
Michele says
The kids and I tried this yesterday. The dough was very nice to work with however they were SO fragile despite following the directions closely.
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Hi Michele! I hope you had fun making this with the kids! If you are worried about having these last longer, you can also add a sealant to them after you bake them. Ours have lasted a year without the sealant.
Lauren says
Hi there,
just wondering how long they last for? I have seen other recipes that say they only last for a month
Thank you
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Hi Lauren! It really depends on the batch you've made. We've made different versions before that have lasted two years so far, and the ones we made last year are still intact! I package them up very carefully in lots of tissue paper and store away where they won't get banged around. Lots of factors determine how long they last; climate/room temperature, how thin or thick your ornaments are, how they are packaged, etc. Hope that helps!
Sabrina says
I love this idea and plan on making ornaments for family with my baby's hand and foot prints. I'd like to avoid having to paint them afterwards and I'm wondering if you've tried mixing glitter into the dough? If so, at what point - in the dry mix before cooking or kneading it into the dough? TIA
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Hi Sabrina! I haven’t tried glitter in the dough, so I can’t be certain. Since you are painting the dough, you might also consider adding the glitter in while the paint is still wet so that it sets in with the paint. Good luck and let me know how it goes!
Marie says
Are these okay to paint when done?
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Hi Marie! You can certainly paint them, provided yours come out fairly sturdy. If you do, just be very gentle when painting, as they can be fragile (some batches end up being more fragile than others). Have fun!
Johanna says
Can you replace the cornstarch with flour?
sarah reyes says
I am a parent volunteer with my son's. 3 year old class. I decided as Christmas gifts for the parents I would make them handprint ornaments of their child's hands. The first batch I roll ed out the dough about 1/4" think but they all cracked very badly. So the next time I rolled them out a little thinner but I am still having an issue with them cracking. Some crack a little where as some are cracking in half. I am air drying them as I have previously had many failed attempts with my own kids hand prints cracking in the oven. What am I doing wrong? I thought this would be a great idea but now I am thinking that this was not such a good idea. Help!?!
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Hi Sarah! Sorry to hear you are having trouble with cracking. Since you are air drying, instead of baking them in the oven as I do, it's harder to pinpoint what the problem might be. It could be that the dough is too wet/too dry or that that your room temp is too hot/too cold. You could try making them slightly thicker to see if that helps. Ours are back on our tree again, and we have used this recipe for ornaments that have lasted two years now -- but, I always dry them in the oven, so I am sorry I can't speak to the air drying method.
Craig says
If your oven doesn't have a low temp setting, bake a couple at a time in your toaster oven.
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Great tip! Thanks, Craig!
Amanda says
Sarah, your experience is mine to a T. I love how easy the dough is to make, but I don't know how to keep them from cracking!!! We are making handprint ones for my student's parents, and every single one of them cracked, both batches. I did some research about the air drying, and someone said to flip them to help them dry on both sides. So maybe even a drying rack could be helpful too. I also wonder if I manipulated the dough too much. It remained a nice, moist-but-not-sticky-consistency though... Just trying to figure it out! :)
Rambo says
Laura - Thank you, Thank you, Thank you Nicole!! I'm so happy you could capture their litlte personalities at this point in their lives. We really appreciate the memories!November 19, 2012 9:58 am
Lisa says
Has anyone tried adding food coloring to these?
Sandy says
Hi from South Africa! Please can you tell me if the baking soda is bicarbonate of soda or baking powder [raising agent]
Katie Collins says
Hi :) Is the oven temperature in farenheit or celsius? :) x
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Hi Katie! The temperature is in farenheit :) Basically, you want to keep it very, very low. Thank you!
Eileen Melton says
I still have some I made over 30 years ago!
Ruth says
Just made these with my kids. They were super easy & they had fun. However, we are in Australia & I heated the oven to 175 degrees Celsius instead of converting it to Fahrenheit. Disappointing end to the ornaments as they cracked. It may be a good idea to specify which temperature unit you use in future posts. I'm hoping we can still use them & paint over the cracks.
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Oh Ruth, thank you for the reminder to update this one! The majority of my readers are in the US, but I do have a growing number in the UK and Australia, and a few sprinkled throughout the rest of the world that uses Celsius instead of our Fahrenheit. I am so sorry to hear that yours cracked :( There are SO many factors that come into play with these fun projects - humidity, your home's temperature, your oven - that it's impossible to have a set of directions that works perfectly for everyone. I do appreciate you trying them and letting me know! And I will update the Celsius/Fahrenheit soon in the directions. I am glad you at least had fun making them! Happy happy holidays to you & your family!
Jakob Boman says
It might be a christmas thing, but I can tell you that kids also love playing with it when it is not christmas.
I had my sister's children over yesterday and they loved playing with it:-)
Thanks for the inspiration
Debbie says
Thank you. I had fun making a 12 days of Christmas wreith.
Regina says
I made this today with my students and was wondering if they can air dry and if so for how long? Also does the oven baking help them become more stable instead of so delicate. We plan on painting them with acrylic paint and a sealant after the paint dries.
.
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Hi Regina! I'm so glad you made them with your students! I have never air dried them so I cannot say whether that would work or not. Baking them in an oven is what has worked for me. Just keep a close eye on them and you know your oven best; some run hotter, etc. Have fun!
F. smith says
I like this. My kids loved to do these. Thank you!
Barbara Vag says
WhenI made the tags, the one side is white but the other sides still dough colored in the middle. Do I need to let them dry longer? I already baked them after I flipped them over.
lisa says
I'm so happy you could capture their little personalities at this point in their lives. We really appreciate the memories. It might be a Christmas thing, but I can tell you that kids also love playing with it when it is not Christmas. I cut out snow white ornaments, that contrast so nicely with the dark green tree, from a baking soda and corn starch dough
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Hi Megan! These should freeze well, although we haven't ever had enough leftover to freeze yet :) I think making a double batch and freezing one for later is a great idea!