Is my salt dough cooked??

[Servalan]

Just need a bit of advice from those of you who have cooked salt dough before and know what it looks like.

DD and I have been making salt dough tree decorations today. We cut out shapes (about 1/8 of an inch thick) and I've been baking them for hours (about 5 or six now)

The thing is, although when I tap them they feel rock hard they don't look cooked through.

In the main, the shapes have turned a very light beige. However, the middles of most of them on one side are a darker, more golden brown colour and a bit shiny - almost as if that bit has been cooked in cooking oil (which it hasn't btw) - does that make sense?

Anyway, I've been assuming that the darker, shiny bits are bits that haven't cooked through properly although they feel solid.

I've now taken the biscuits off the baking tray and put them directly on the oven shelf in the hope that will help. I've also turned the heat up slightly. However, I'm starting to wonder if that is just how they look and if they won't change however long I cook them for?

Apologies for marathon post

Thanks for any thoughts

BTW when I say "biscuits" I don't really mean biscuits! I'm trying to cook them so that they last for years

not the colour, it is the hardness and "dried outness" of them! That is why it is better for longer on lower heat so they do not brown too much but dry and cook thoroughly

If they are hard to tap, I would just leave them to cool on a baking rack and will be ready to decorate tomorrow. The tapping test is a good indicator and sound ok to me. The darker bits could be more cooked rather than not cooked enough
Will not notice the difference when painted and should look lovely!

sorry i cant give any advice on whether or not its cooked but please could i pester you for a salt dough recipie?

5 or 6 hours is more than enough cooking time, especially if only 18th inch thick.
Good on you for having a go. I did wonder if you would

I'd say they were cooked - I never do mine for that long. What temp? I do 100 for an hour and then maybe a little hotter for another 40 mins or so.
I always thought that if they were turning brown, they were 'overcooked'?
Turn off your oven and put them next to a radiator overnight. Air drying will def finish them off.
They won't last for years unless you varnish them.
Hth

Here's where I sought advice before x4x salt dough thread from yesterday

Thanks for advice folks - and Lemontart, thanks for ongoing help! I was wondering if they were going that colour because of over cooking. I cooked them as low down in the oven as possible on gas mark 1.

They are now cooling on a wire rack. They feel solid when I tap them. The only thing now is that if I squeeze them, a couple of them make a crunchy sound, almost as if they are flaky inside - maybe I should just leave the bloomin' things alone!!

I don't think we're going to have time to decorate tomorrow, so hopefully a couple of days on a wire rack will make sure they are as they should be!

BTW JNSSPS - what varnish would you recommend? (I'm planning to use poster paint and glitter for decoration and I'm wondering what would be best to varnish that with).

Thanks

used nail varnish - the clear glittery kind.
Stinks a bit for a while but does the job.
This is probably totally wrong, but they look lovely!