Gingerbread + Peppermint

 

We haven't done a ton of Christmasy activities over here this year.  Sure, we've decorated the house, iced cookies, and watched a few Christmas videos, but we haven't done nearly as much as I would if I weren't baby-growing. I was feeling a little guilty so I decided that I wanted to do something fun last Friday.  So, we whipped up a batch of playdough...holiday style.

We actually made two batches.  We made one gingerbread batch and one peppermint batch. Had I planned ahead, I would have made sure that I actually had things like ginger and ground cloves.  But no, it was 100% spur of the moment so we had to make do with what we had.  I threw in some cinnamon, nutmeg, a little cocoa to darken the brown, and simmered some whole cloves with the liquid before adding the flour. The result was that our gingerbread playdough wasn't nearly as yummy smelling as I had hoped, but at least the kids still had fun.

The peppermint, on the other hand, was divine.  Red playdough + peppermint extract = totally yummy.  My hands smelled like peppermint all day! After playing for a while we added some gold glitter for even more holiday fun :)

Making playdough is so easy...I really don't know why I don't do it more often.  I've tried a number of recipes over the years.  Here is what we used on Friday:

 

HOMEMADE PLAYDOUGH

2 cups water
1 cup salt
4 teaspoons cream of tartar
4 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 cups flour

 

In a large pot add the water, coloring, oil, salt, and cream of tarter. Heat gently over mediul low.  When the mixture is warm, add the flour and mix well.  Keep stirring as the dough thickens. Remove the dough from the pot and let cool.  Once cool, knead for a minute or two and it is ready to play with!

Store in zip lock bags in when not in use.

 

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I wonder what other fun flavors/smells we could try??

Comments

[Vanessa Armstrong]

I'm going to have to try this. I've always wanted to try to make the edible playdough before.

[phillipsfamily]

Actually, I dont think this one is edible! Though there is nothing in it that would really hurt anyone.  Here is one for edible peanut butter playdough: http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,199,149163-237203,00.html

[Vanessa Armstrong]

I might have to try both of them. Thanks!!