Playdough

[Verona]

I make playdough for Preschool but am disappointed about the colour. When I use food colouring it's a wish washy colour even when I use a lot of it.

Ages ago I used to make vibrant coloured dough using food colouring. I was wondering whether the colouring that I buy in little bottles have changed? Anyone come across this please? Also ideas about how to make deep coloured dough please?

 

Thank you

[louby loo]

I shall follow this with interest!

 

We have the same problem, and we've tried loads of different food colourings.

[Mouseketeer]

The Wilton food colouring makes bright colours, it does cost more but you only need a little.

[Panders]

I don't use the liquid or gel types any more I use the type you get in cake shops which are like a thick cream, but you don't need a huge amount, you might also be able to use water colours, but the type you buy in tubes not the blocks, when I colour rice or pasta that's what I use for great colour.

 

or you could try this

 

http://www.apocketfulofdandelions.com/?p=4315

Edited January 15, 2017 by Panders

[finleysmaid]

if you want to use food colours I would suggest you find a supplier of 'paste' colours...these are much stronger and come in a myriad of shades...but if you feel you could use a non edible alternative (not toxic just not made for eating!) you could try 'brusho' which is more of a dye and comes in powder form. It makes very striking colours but can stain ...especially if you are the one making the dough!

[Froglet]

I second the use of the Wilton food colourings. They are more expensive but you truly do only need the tiniest bit (tip of a cocktail stick) and they will last forever with really strong colours.

[Verona]

Thank you. I have looked online for Wilton food colouring and saw it in packs of 8 which is fine. Do you know if they are in supermarkets? Probably on line or In Specialist cake making shops though.

Thanks again will give it a try.

[korkycat]

We bought large bottles of food colouring from TTS. It's much better than the 'natural' colourings that are all you can buy in supermarkets.

A friend haas aslo used the paste successfully.

korkycat

[lsp]

We also buy the large bottles from TTS. I have also seen some colours in the local cash and carry store.

[Froglet]

Thank you. I have looked online for Wilton food colouring and saw it in packs of 8 which is fine. Do you know if they are in supermarkets? Probably on line or In Specialist cake making shops though.

Thanks again will give it a try.

Not seen it in supermarkets but fairly certain I've seen it in Hobbycraft if you have one near you.

[sunnyday]

Not seen it in supermarkets but fairly certain I've seen it in Hobbycraft if you have one near you.

 

Oh brilliant - the perfect excuse to visit Hobbycraft ::1a

[narnia]

a lot of the bottles of food colouring are paler now because many have switched to natural colours. I have used powder paint successfully and even the ready mixed version...........Wilton colours are great, used to get them in my local cook shop, but they didn't have them last time i looked. Or try koolaid?

[thumperrabbit]

Hobbycraft definitely sell Wilton, I got some at the weekend for baking

[Conker]

Don't try the red powder food colouring you get in the chinese supermarket. Yes you get a very vivid red colour......but so did the kitchen table, my hands and anything else it seemed to come into contact with - including the children!

Wilton is the one to go for :1b

[Guest]

We used the ready mixed paint mixed with the water prior to adding to the flour.

[gillpen]

What is the best recipe to use for playdough? Every time I make it is ends up too sticky or else it crumbles. Does anyone have a foolproof method that works every time?

Thanks in advance :1b

[korkycat]

1 cup plain flour (cheapest is best!)

1/2 cup salt

2 teaspoons cream of tartar (hard to buy in quantity but Aldi usually has a few tubs)

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1 cup boiling water food colouring added

Mix all dry ingredients well

Add oil then water and mix together

Turn out on to smooth surface and knead well together until smooth.

It doesn't matter if there is stiil unmixed in flour etc when you start.

I wear disposable vinyl gloves as it can be a bit hot to handle initially.

Works every time!

i usually double quahtities. It then makes enough for at least 3 childen to have a decent amount.

korkycat

kor

[gillpen]

Thank you korkycat!! I shall try this tomorrow.

[zigzag]

I have always made mine on the hob but will certainly give this a go.

[lsp]

We use the same method. We use to 'cook' ours until we found this recipe.

[Fredbear]

We use the no cook recipe too. Children do the first part and the the adult does the hot water bit. It works very well.

As for a larger tub of cream of tartar. Macros do it if you have a card, lasts for ages.

[Panders]

no cook play dough recipe.docx

[FSFRebecca]

no cook play dough recipe.docx

I'll put that in the resources library if that's ok?

[Panders]

I'll put that in the resources library if that's ok?

thats fine by me - no internet at home struggling on phone this evening