The Best Play Dough Recipes Ever

The secret ingredient here is cream of tartar. This recipe makes play dough that is not grainy like uncooked play dough and keeps for a long time.

Play Dough Recipe 1

4 cups flour

1 cup salt

4 cups water

4 tablespoons oil

1/2 cup cream of tartar

Mix all ingredients in a sauce pan. Cook and stir over low/medium heat until play dough is completely formed and no longer sticky. Allow to cool slightly before storing in an air tight container or zip lock bag.

Variations:

• Add one package of unsweetened powdered Kool-Aid to your playdough to give it a great smell. (Thanks to James Slaughter for this variation).

Where to get cream of tartar

Cream of tartar can be expensive and comes in very small containers in the spice section of the grocery store. It is actually a by product of wine making, so if you have a winery near your house, try calling them and see if they will give you some for free. I have not tried using this type of unprocessed cream of tartar. If anyone has and has any comments about this, please let me know by sending an email to Linda Bastiani (Linda_Bastiani@mcps.k12.md.us)

• Nadine writes, "I called a restaurant food supply store in my area (Nobel Sysco) and they carry it in 25 ounce packages for $12.00"
• Jan Fitch found cream of tartar at the Amish Market in Burtonsville, MD.
• Sarah DeOpsomer says that you can sometimes buy things like this in bulk at co-op grocery stores.
• Shari Reese was able to purchase cream of tartar at GFS (Gordon's Food Service) in a 2 lb. container for 12.65.
• Sue Hedges says that you can buy cream of tartar online at myspicer.com.
• Gina Samples also found cream of tartar online at bulkfoods.com - use this link to get to the 5lb quantity.
• Tabitha Brittain says that you can substitute one part baking soda and one part baking powder for cream of tartar.

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This page was last updated on February 2, 2004
Please send comments to Linda Bastiani (Linda_Bastiani@mcps.k12.md.us)