Cream of Tartar Playdough Recipe
Most playdough recipes include cream of tartar. In case you don’t have cream of tartar, feel free to check out our non-cream of tartar playdough recipe, it’s really good too. You probably haven’t found a playdough recipe that isn’t on our site, we probably have them all.
Cream of Tartar Playdough Recipe
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of plain flour
- 2 cups of colored water (food coloring)
- 1 tbsp. of cooking oil
- 1 tsp. cream of tartar
- 1 cup of salt
Directions:
- Place all of the ingredients in a medium size or large pan.
- Cook slowly on medium-high and stir it until the playdough thickens.
- Thought there would be more steps? Nope, we keep it simple.
Keep the finished playdough in a plastic container in the fridge, that way it lasts alot longer. This playdough recipe is similar to the traditional playdough recipe, make sure to take a look at that playdough recipe too.
This recipe takes less than 10 minutes, giving you more time to enjoying the finished playdough.
Extended directions for Cream Of Tartar Playdough Recipe
Here’s your salvation, our extended step-by-step explanation on how to make cream of tartar playdough recipe. We’ve even included images. You can’t not succeed with our help!
Step 1:
Ok, so I managed to gather the ingredients needed. We have the cream of tartar, flour, salt, colored water and oil. Let’s get going.

Step 2:
Pour all the ingredients into a pan. Depending on the food coloring you go for, it should look like this. With the amount of color I added to the water it’s more pink than red, so don’t be afraid to use some food coloring.

Step 3:
The color of the end result becomes more visible after we’ve mixed the ingredients more thorough. If unhappy with the color, this is the time to add more.

Step 4:
After heating the mixture for a few minutes it will start to become more and more doughy. The image below shows the beginning of a doughy texture. The homemade playdough will be finished 1-2 minutes after it reaches this point.

Step 5:
Here you can see how it should look in the pan when the playdough is finished. Remove it from the heat and start collecting the playdough. Remember that it’s still hot.

Step 6:
Ok, the cream of tartar playdough is done. Finished and rolled into small balls, it looks like this.

This play dough recipe contains salt and will dry out your hands. Remember to use some lotion after handling the playdough.
23 Comments.

(10 votes, average: 3.30 out of 5)
This recipe works great, I’ve tried it several times, recommended!
This is a great recipe. I use it to make modelling materials for class and the kids love it!
Great to hear!
My kids ran fresh out of name brand. I made this is like five minutes! Thanks.
Glad I could help!
Hi,
So I used half the recipe and ended up with a dry lumpy mess, that caked on instantly. I added more water and now have four lumps and sticky stuff that hopefully will cook down.
Could it be that the ratio is not quite right and more water is needed per cup of flour?
Thanks.
Kristina
I’ve tried the recipe several times myself and never had any problems with it. The images for the extended explanation is about half the amount of the recipe too. You’re using standard flour and salt?
If it’s sticky and lumpy adding more water should help, it probably just takes a bit longer to boil it down to playdough.
I used kosher salt (that’s all I had) and it turned into a lumpy sticky mess that stuck to my pot.. could hte salt be the problem?
I would think so. Try using standard salt and you should have a great playdough
I’ve used the recipe 2x now, both times with Kosher salt and it worked great! The first time I used a high gluten bread machine flour and it was the best playdough I’ve ever had. But that type of flour was expensive so the next time I used regular cheap white flour. It still worked well but wasn’t quite as elastic. Making some more today on a play date!
Ok, thank you for letting us know. Glad it worked well for you
Nansi, perhaps the pot is the problem? Is it a “non-stick” pot or an older one?
I forgot how long this recipe is good for? I keep my playdough in tupperware. One person told me to throw the playdough away after a month is that right?
I would say that it’s good as long as it’s working and doesn’t smell.
I love it a lot. Only problem is the smell stinks badly but after when I put the playdough in the fridge the smell was not as strong.
Like
I mean I love it a lot but the smell is of the playdough stinks
Hehehe! Try adding some scented oil
This worked perfect!
I always use this recipe. I add kool-aid mix to the water instead of food coloring, this adds a nice smell. Also, once the cooking is done, turn out the ball of dough and knead it like bread dough for about 3 to 5 minutes, until it’s really smooth; I find this helps with the texture a great deal. I just leave it in a plastic bin on the play table, rather than in the fridge, and pitch it once it gets dry. Usually I forget to put it away once or twice, and after the third time sitting out all nite it finally drys out enough that I can justify pitching it!
Glad to hear!
Thank you for the twist on the recipe!
I have been using this recipe for my home daycare for about 25 yrs. It always turns out perfectly and keeps a long time if wrapped well. I have never had an odor problem like some others have mentioned
Thank you for your input. I’ve never had any problems either. It should work very well and last long if stored correctly.