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What Are Your Family's Tree-Decorating Traditions?

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Hello, foodies…

There are almost 300 recipes on my recipe page…one for nearly every show we've done. But, for the first time this Wednesday on In the Kitchen with David–PM Edition, we won't be making something to eat. Instead, we're making homemade Salt-Dough Ornaments for your Christmas tree.

Here's the recipe. Now, go make memories of your own! And remember...these are for your tree, not your tummy!

Cinnamon & Clove Salt-Dough Ornaments

This recipe is prepared with the KitchenAid Deluxe Edition 5-Quart 325-Watt 10-Speed Tilt-Head Stand Mixer (K34708).

Go to David's Recipe Item Page for the full list of items that David has used in his recipes.

David's Tip: Get the whole family involved in making these ornaments! Even consider giving them to friends and loved ones as gifts. To personalize, cut the dough into large squares or circles (after rolling it out) and let the kids press their hand into it. Write their name and the date around the print with a toothpick. Bake as directed; decorate, if desired; spray with shellac; and secure the ribbon.

Ingredients:

2 cups flour

1 cup iodized table salt

2/3 cup ground cloves

2/3 cup ground cinnamon

1-1/4 cup water

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 200°F.

In stand mixer, fitted with a paddle attachment, combine the flour, salt, cloves, and cinnamon on low speed until well combined. Slowly add the water until the dough starts to come together.

Move the dough to a floured work surface and knead until the mixture is elastic and smooth. If the dough is too sticky, sprinkle it with a little flour until the stickiness is gone. (Be careful not to add too much flour, however, as it will dry out the dough and cause it to crack.)

Using a rolling pin that's been dusted with flour, roll out the dough until it's about 1/4” thick. Then, use cookie cutters to cut the dough into shapes. Make a hole towards the top of each shape with a straw. Move the ornaments to an ungreased cookie sheet and bake for 2 hours.

Transfer the ornaments to a cooling rack and allow them to harden. (This could take one or two days.)

After they're dry, you can decorate the shapes, if desired. Then, spray with a couple layers of shellac to preserve. When dry, thread a piece of ribbon through the hole at the top for hanging and tie.

I can hardly wait for Wednesday to come…not only are we making ornaments, but I'll be making them with the one and only Paula Deen! What a wonderful Christmas treat!

Your blog question today revolves around those holiday traditions. What are your family's tree-decorating traditions? Do you have homemade ornaments? Do you play Christmas carols and sip hot chocolate? I'll see you this Wednesday at 9pm ET.

Keep it flavorful!

—David