Monday, November 30, 2009

Make Your Own Play Dough

My kids love to play with play dough, but I find that it dries out pretty quick. I found this really neat recipe to make your own play dough. You can dye it any color you choose using food coloring, but this is not the edible kind so please don't eat it. So have fun and I hope you and your kids enjoy :)

Ingredients:
2 cups flour
1 cup salt
1 tsp cream of tartar
2 tbsp oil
2 cups water
food coloring


Mix together all ingredients except food coloring in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly. After about 5 or 6 minutes it will start to stick to spoon and form dough.

Empty the contents of the pan onto wax paper and let the dough cool. Once it is cool enough to handle -- knead it until it is the consistency you want.


I always separate the dough into 4 pieces and then add food coloring. This way you can have a variety of colors. Store finished dough in plastic sandwich baggies or an airtight container. This recipe makes about 2 lb of dough.


The photo about shows what I made this batch. We were out of red dye, so all we had were green, blue, and yellow.

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Baking Chocolate Chip Cookies



Here's one of my favorite treats to eat -- Chocolate Chip Cookies!

(sorry, my baking sheets are well worn from lots of use :) )

These are really easy to make and fairly inexpensive. I usually make a double or triple batch, because we always seem to give away a bunch to family, friends or co-workers. This particular recipe makes softer cookies - not crispy.

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.

Ingredients:
1 cup shortening
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup light brown sugar (packed)
1 teas. vanilla or vanilla extract
1/2 teas. water
2 eggs
2 1/4 cup flour
1 teas. baking soda
1 teas. salt
1 pkg. chocolate chips

Add all ingredients except chocolate chips to a large bowl. Mix thoroughly. Add chocolate chips and mix. Roll into a balls about 1 inch in diameter and place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until cookies start to solidify turning a golden brown.