Play Dough a la Mommy

Homemade dough just doesn't compete to store bought, nothing can compare with that wonderful smell.  :-)  But I think that it is a mommy/kid right of passage to make some dough ourselves.  I didn't even have to search the web for a dozen recipes, I actually received one at work last week.  It is an easy recipe and nearly every thing you need can be purchased in the bulk section of your grocery store (thank you Winco Foods).

This was a great evening project and very simple, so I thought I would pass it on.  We will certainly being doing this project again.  Would be a great play date activity or just a rainy day one.

Here is what you will need...          
Large pot
Spatula
Measuring cup
Measuring spoons

Mix dry ingredients

Large bowl
Food coloring

Your ingredients...
3 cups flour
1.5 cups salt
2 Tbsp cream of tartar
3 Tbsp vegetable oil
3 cups water

Add all of the dry ingredients together in a large bowl.

In the large pot add the water and oil, I also added the food coloring at this point.  Set your stove to low to low/med heat.  I got impatient on low heat (and so did Gabbi) so we increased it a bit to low/medium heat.

Add dry ingredients to pot

Stir often

Add the dry ingredients to large pot.  Stir often.  As it heats scrape the bottom and you will see that the "dough" is starting to firm up.  Never leave the pot.  Keep stirring.  Then start to form the firm dough into a ball in the pot.

Once ball is formed, remove from heat.  I let it cool for just a minute in pot, then dumped on to the cold (clean) counter.  I find that if you leave it pot to cool it gets too dry.  While it is still warm start kneading until it is cooled.  Store in an airtight container or Ziploc bag.

Kneading in action

A great thing about this project is Gabbi got to help with every part of it.  She helped measure out the ingredients, helped mix, counted out the food color drops, and helped knead the dough.  It was also a great opportunity for us to chat about things changing from a liquid to a solid and even how water and oil do not mix.  All great reasons to have her in the kitchen, so much to learn.

Gabbi is very excited to play with this dough and I don't have to worry about it drying out since it was so cheap, and she is even going to bring some with her on a weekend camping trip and no one has to worry about it getting dirty or left behind.

For my frugal friends here is the financial break down.  I was able to get the flour, salt, and cream of tartar in the bulk section of my grocery store and I already had the food coloring and oil at home.
So... Flour ($0.30) + Salt ($0.07) + CoT ($0.39) + Oil (free) + Water (free) = $0.76 for nearly 2 pounds of play dough!!  A total win!

Happy dough making!