Play dough: Yes, you read that correctly. Not all recipes are to be eaten...

I can hear the words spoken before they even leave your mouth. "I thought this was a food blog? How does one post a playdough recipe on a food blog?" Well, two reasons. First, I started this blog to share space for documenting my lifestyle, giving me an outlet for my writing, and sharing what may be helpful to others. My children are obviously a part of this. Second, enter playdough ... My kids are obsessed with this craft toy and I became obsessed with perfecting making my own at home. They go through it so quickly because no one can ever put the lids back on (another rant for another day). Sooooo ... I have now become known in my kiddos school as making the BEST playdough (their words not mine, I swear)! What's the secret...stand mixer with a dough hook, gel food coloring and sifting your dry ingredients before cooking them. I treat it like I would any good bread dough and it makes all the difference in the end result. Trust me. So easy my littlest makes it with me. You'll never go back to store brought again...

Ingredients:

1/2 cup of salt

1 cup of warm water

2 tsp of vegetable oil

1 cup of flour

1 tbs cream of tarter

food coloring of choice ( I prefer gel)

stand food mixer

Directions:

1. Mix together all the ingredients except food coloring in a 2-quart saucepan or a small dutch oven (I like to use my Staub).

2. Cook over low/medium heat, stirring.

3. Continue stirring until the mixture is thickened and begins to gather around the spoon.

4. Remove the dough and put into stand mixer with dough hook.

5. Add a few drops of food coloring (will deepen more as it cools) and turn on mixer.

6. Take out and drop on marble slab or wax paper and kneed with your hands for 2 minutes

7. Store in ziploc bags or tupperware

will last up to 3 months if stored correctly