Make or Bake

I’m not sure why I thought play dough was one of those you can’t make at home. This recipe comes together very quickly and if stored in an air tight container the dough will keep for months!

Yield: 2 balls of dough

Time: 10 minutes, plus cooling time

Ingredients

• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 tsp cream of tartar
• 1 cup lukewarm water
• 1 tbs oil
• 5-10 drops of food coloring per ball

Directions

1. Combine all ingredients except the food coloring: the flour, cream of tartar, and salt into a small sauce pan.
2. Cook on medium heat, stirring constantly. After a few minutes the liquid mixture should start to solidify. Keep cooking and mixing until the dough forms a ball. Remove dough from heat and place on the counter.
3. Allow dough to cool down enough to be handled.
4. Gentle knead the dough for about 3 minutes. The dough should no longer be sticky.
5. Divide the dough into half. Place each half in a ziploc bag and add the food coloring. Knead the food coloring into the dough in the bag until you’ve achieved the color consistency you desire. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

Pro tips

• During the cooking process the mixture goes from a liquid and then thickens into a solid. You’ll want to have a rubber spatula or large wooden spoon on hand for when the mixture becomes to goopy for the whisk.
• The mixture doesn’t immediately thicken into a solid mass – keep stirring.
• The kneading steps are particular good times for any children helpers to get involved.

This has the look and feel of play dough but not the smell. If anyone knows how to get that iconic scent please let us know in the comments!