Salt Dough Gingerbread Man Garland

This past week, I found myself wanting to make a few things from my favorite gingerbread salt dough recipe. It’s quick, easy and requires minimal ingredients. I just love their imperfect cookie like texture and you can create the sweetest handmade decorations for practically pennies.

Since my love of gingerbread themed Christmas decor continues, I thought it would be fun to make a simple garland of gingerbread men. I love how it turned out and my boys were quick to notice it hanging in our kitchen.

If you’re interested in making one for yourself or as a gift, click here to get the recipe from when I made salt dough ornaments a few years back. Here’s how I whipped up this cute little strand of “cookies”.

1. Make 1 batch gingerbread salt dough

2. Roll out dough to desired thickness, considering that the thicker the dough, the longer the drying time. If the dough is sticky while handling, dust your hands and surface with additional cinnamon. Your kitchen is going to smell so good!

3. Preheat your oven to 250

4. Using a small gingerbread cookie cutter (or any shape you love), cut out multiple pieces to string on the garland. Keep in mind that the number of pieces you need depends on how long of a garland you want.

5. Using a disposable straw, make two holes on each cutout for string later. You’ll want to try and make the holes on the upper portion of each cutout to prevent them from spinning/being top heavy when strung together.

6. Line up your cutouts on a parchment lined cookie sheet. They shouldn’t spread while baking. Pop your cookie sheet(s) in the oven and bake the cutouts until they’re dried. Be sure and check them at least every hour and turn them. You’ll notice that the side that bakes facing down first will have a much darker color than the other side. You can use whichever side you prefer!

7. After my cutouts finish baking, I like to let them cool and sit overnight. You can choose to leave them as is or add fun “icing” details using matte white puff paint.

8. Using a piece of thin twine or ribbon, string all of your pieces together, adjusting the gaps between as needed until the garland is the desired length. Tie small loops at each end to allow for hanging.