Gingerbread Playdough Recipe

Introduction

Gingerbread playdough is a fun and easy homemade craft that fills your kitchen with the warm, comforting scents of ginger and cinnamon. It’s a great sensory activity for kids and a delightful alternative to store-bought playdough that stays soft and fragrant for weeks.

Ingredients

• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 cup salt
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon cream of tartar
• 1 tablespoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (or pumpkin pie spice)
• 1 cup water
• Wax or parchment paper (for kneading and storage)

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a medium saucepan, combine the flour, salt, cream of tartar, ground ginger, and cinnamon. Mix these dry ingredients thoroughly to distribute the spices evenly.
2. Step 2: Add the water and vegetable oil to the dry mixture. Stir the ingredients together until smooth and free of lumps.
3. Step 3: Cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly. The dough will begin to thicken and form a ball; keep stirring to prevent burning.
4. Step 4: When the dough pulls away from the sides of the pan and clumps together, remove it from the heat. Allow it to cool slightly on wax or parchment paper.
5. Step 5: Once cool enough to handle, knead the dough on the wax or parchment paper until smooth and pliable. Store in an airtight container or ziplock bag when not in use.

Tips & Variations

• Use pumpkin pie spice in place of cinnamon for a more complex flavor.
• If the dough is too sticky after cooking, add a little extra flour during kneading.
• Store the playdough in a sealed container to keep it soft and fragrant for weeks.

Storage

Keep the gingerbread playdough in an airtight container or ziplock bag to maintain its moisture and scent. Stored properly, it can last for well over a month. If the dough starts to dry out, simply knead in a few drops of water to restore softness.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Is this playdough safe for children?

Yes, this playdough is made from common kitchen ingredients and is non-toxic, but it is not edible. Always supervise young children during play to prevent accidental ingestion.

Can I add color to this gingerbread playdough?

While this recipe focuses on natural spice colors, you can add a few drops of food coloring to the water before cooking if you want vibrant hues. Just mix well before heating.

Gingerbread Playdough Recipe

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This homemade Gingerbread Playdough is a fun, easy, and fragrant craft project perfect for kids and adults alike. Made with common pantry ingredients and warm holiday spices like ginger and cinnamon, this playdough smells delightful and stays soft for weeks when stored properly. It’s an affordable alternative to store-bought playdough and encourages sensory play and creativity.

• Author: Isla
• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 minutes
• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Yield: Enough playdough for 2-3 children to play with (about 1.5 cups dough)
• Category: Kids Craft
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dry Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup salt
• 1 tablespoon cream of tartar
• 1 tablespoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (or pumpkin pie spice)

Wet Ingredients

• 1 cup water
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Additional

• Wax or parchment paper (for kneading and rolling the dough)

Instructions

1. Combine dry ingredients: In a mixing bowl, thoroughly whisk together the flour, salt, cream of tartar, ground ginger, and ground cinnamon until well mixed and uniform in color and texture.
2. Add wet ingredients: Pour the water and vegetable oil into the dry mixture. Stir vigorously using a spoon or spatula until the mixture begins to come together into a dough.
3. Cook the dough: Transfer the mixture to a nonstick pan or saucepan and heat over medium-low heat. Continuously stir the dough to prevent burning while it thickens and forms a ball. This process usually takes about 3-5 minutes.
4. Knead the dough: Remove the cooked dough from the heat and place it onto wax or parchment paper to cool briefly. Once safe to handle, knead the dough by hand until smooth and pliable. If the dough is sticky, sprinkle with a little flour.
5. Store properly: Place the finished gingerbread playdough inside an airtight container or a ziplock bag to keep it moist and soft. It can last for over a month when stored in a cool place.

Notes

• Use wax or parchment paper to prevent sticking during kneading and play.
• If dough becomes sticky over time, sprinkle lightly with flour and knead.
• You can substitute pumpkin pie spice for cinnamon to adjust the flavor.
• Store the playdough in an airtight container or ziplock bag to maintain moisture.
• This recipe is safe and non-toxic, but avoid ingestion in large quantities.

Keywords: gingerbread playdough, homemade playdough, kids craft, sensory play, easy playdough recipe, holiday playdough, ginger cinnamon dough