Salt Dough

Preheat oven to 250°F (120°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. (5 minutes)

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt until evenly combined. (2 minutes)

Gradually add the ice water, a few tablespoons at a time, mixing well after each addition until a dough forms. (5 minutes)

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes, until smooth and elastic. (10 minutes)

Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and let it rest at room temperature for 20 minutes to allow the gluten to relax. (20 minutes)

On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to a thickness of 1/8 inch. (5 minutes)

Use cookie cutters to cut out desired shapes. Transfer the shapes to the prepared baking sheet. (10 minutes)

Use a toothpick or skewer to create a hole in each ornament for hanging, if desired. (5 minutes)

Bake in the preheated oven for 2-2.5 hours, or until the ornaments are dry and hard. Baking time will vary depending on the thickness of the ornaments. (120 minutes)

Remove from the oven and let cool completely on the baking sheet before decorating. (60 minutes)