Ingredients
- 1 cup used coffee grounds, dried overnight or lightly toasted
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup salt
- 1/2 cup water, adding more if the dough is too dry
- Optional: cinnamon for extra scent
- Optional: vanilla extract or essential oil for extra scent
- Optional: white glue for a firmer texture
- mixing bowl
- spoon
- rolling pin
- work surface
- cookie cutters
- small straw or skewer for making holes in tags and ornaments
Instructions
- Dry the coffee grounds by spreading them out and letting them dry overnight or baking at 200°F for 30 minutes. Allow them to cool completely before mixing.
- Combine the flour, salt, and dried coffee grounds in a bowl. Stir until the mixture is evenly blended.
- Pour in the water a little at a time while stirring. Stop when the mixture begins to form a dough. It should feel similar to play dough: moist and flexible, but not sticky.
- If the dough feels wet or clings to your hands, add a little more flour. If it crumbles or feels too dry, add a small amount of water.
- Knead the dough for 2–3 minutes until it feels soft, pliable, and able to hold its shape.
- Roll, press, or mold the clay into your desired items, keeping pieces reasonably thin for more even drying.
- Press in textures, stamps, or natural patterns into the soft clay. Create a hanging hole in ornaments or tags before drying.
- Place the finished pieces in a warm, dry spot for 24–48 hours, turning thicker pieces occasionally if needed.
Notes
Keep finished pieces away from rain, soaking water, steam, and high humidity. To remove dust, gently wipe the surface with a dry or barely damp cloth.
