We make an advent spiral out of salt dough every year, and it is a tradition that has led to some of my very favorite memories. I remember making our very first advent spiral one a few years ago when Elliot had barely begun to walk, and this year I was able to watch as he hand-rolled all our advent candles himself. We start our advent spiral on December 1st each year, and either light a handmade beeswax candle or place a nature item that Elliot collected during the year into each indent. We use our spiral as a countdown in addition to our main advent calendar and on days that we light a candle, we do so in the evening as a family. Each year our spiral is a little different based on details that Elliot chooses. The first photo is of this year’s spiral (2021) and the second photo is one of my personal favorites from two years ago (2019).

Materials:

– 1c flour
– 1/2c salt
– 1 tbs cream of tartar
– 1-2 tsp olive or avocado oil
– 1/2-1c warm water

additional advent items:
– brass candle holders
– beeswax candles – make your own hand-dipped candles or rolled candles
– nature items

Instructions for making a salt dough advent spiral

Step 1: How to Make Salt Dough

Make your salt dough by mixing 1c flour + 1/2c salt + 1 tbs cream of tartar in a bowl. Add 1/2-1c boiling (or warm) water into the flour mixture and stir with a spoon until the dough is combined. I find that the amount of water needed is dependent on the temperature of the water, so start with 1/2c and add additional water if needed. Make a well in the center of the dough and add 1-2 tsp olive or avocado oil. Knead until smooth

Step 2: How to create the spiral

Roll your dough out into a long roll, coil it around into the shape the spiral and press down slightly to flatten. Use the base of one of your candles to create the indents— or you can use anything really. This year we used a combination of brass candle holder bases from our birthday ring and the larger round end of an acorn to make the indentations. We start on Dec 1 so we create 24 indentations with a main walnut shell candle in the center.

Step 3: How to dry salt dough

You can either bake the spiral in your oven or let it air dry (allow several days). Bake in your oven on a top rack on the lowest setting (usually 170 degrees F) until completely dry. Check on it every 30 minutes. It should take a few hours, approximately 2-4 depending on the thickness of your spiral.

Please note that salt dough can be harmful for children or pets if it is consumed. Supervise children when working with the dough and store out of reach. This recipe contains wheat. If you plan to give this away as a gift or to make it with children, please be aware of any possible allergens.