Are you interested in creating a simple and edible sensory experience for your little one? This magnificent edible playdough only requires two ingredients and a few minutes to mix it up.
Contents
- What is Frosting Playdough?
- What You’ll Need for Edible Playdough
- How to Make It
- How Can You Play With It?
- Different Substitutes = Different Experiences
- A Few Important Notes About This Edible Playdough Recipe
- What Your Little One Can Gain From This Activity
- Final Thoughts on Edible Playdough
What is Frosting Playdough?
Frosting playdough is precisely how it sounds. It’s the perfect combination of frosting and powdered sugar and a wonderful way to merge the joys of baking with imaginative play, aka Melianna’s dream activity!
Unlike regular Play-Doh, which is non-toxic BUT not meant for consumption, this special treat is made from edible ingredients. It’s the perfect hands-on activity that stimulates multiple senses and allows children to mold and shape their own unique creations.
What You’ll Need for Edible Playdough
- Frosting. Ensure that the frosting is indeed frosting and not cookie icing. Frosting and icing are technically not interchangeable and will produce different outcomes. You could use cookie icing in a pinch; however, the result will be more crumbly and stiff.
- Powdered sugar, confectioners sugar, or icing sugar (they are all the same)
- Food Coloring (optional)
How to Make It
To simplify things, I used a ratio rather than a specific recipe. Using a ratio eliminates the need to follow a particular recipe, and you have the freedom to make the exact amount you choose without doing a great deal of math in the process.
- Volume-based ratio: 1 part frosting to 4 parts powdered sugar.
- Weight-based ratio: 1 part frosting to 1 part powdered sugar (PLUS a little extra to reach the desired consistency).
Add the frosting with the food coloring (if using) into a bowl. Stir these together until combined. Then add the powdered sugar. It’s easier to start mixing with your hands instead of a spoon. Once the mixture comes together, knead the dough until the ingredients are fully integrated, and you have your desired consistency.
If it is too sticky, add more powdered sugar (1-2 tablespoons at a time); or if it’s too dry, add a touch of oil or frosting to soften it.
If you change your mind and decide to include food coloring later on, it’s not a problem. Add it to the dough and knead it until it’s fully incorporated. Just be ready for stained fingers!
How Can You Play With It?
Enjoy edible frosting playdough just like you would traditional Play-Doh. It has the same satisfying texture (like freshly opened Play-Doh) and smells amazing. If your little one feels like trying a bite, that’s okay! It could even be a fun activity after a meal. Create make-believe desserts such as ice cream, cake, pie, cookies, and more, and maybe sneak a little taste while you’re at it. My sweet treat themed Coloring Cookbook has a cut out sugar cookie recipe that is PERFECT for this activity!
The first time I gave edible frosting playdough to Xander, all he wanted to do was play and lick, play and lick, play and lick. He probably felt like he was eating room temperature ice cream. Nevertheless, I made a separate batch for Melianna because our first batch had too much “Xander juice” in it.
Different Substitutes = Different Experiences
As previously stated, cookie icing and frosting are not interchangeable as they have different properties. Cookie icing hardens when exposed to air, while frosting remains soft at room temperature. For fun, I decided to try the cookie icing and see how much of a difference it made. It was softer than I expected but still not the texture I was after. I added Crisco to see if it helped, but it was a no for me. Still enjoyable, but I couldn’t call it “playdough.”
It’s important to note that cornstarch and powdered sugar also cannot be interchanged. While some recipes suggest otherwise, these two ingredients have distinct textures and properties. It’s worth noting that certain types of powdered sugar may contain cornstarch to prevent clumping, but this is perfectly fine for the overall outcome of this recipe.
Other recipes call for cornstarch and powdered sugar, but using only powdered sugar works perfectly well and maintains the wonderful simplicity of this recipe. Therefore, I choose to keep it simple.
A Few Important Notes About Edible Playdough
Please keep in mind that while this activity is entirely edible, it is moldable sugar. I have to remind my little ones only to take tastes and not to devour it.
This playdough isn’t too messy regarding staining clothes; however, I put a smock on Meli because she was wearing a brand new dress, and I didn’t want to take any chances with the food coloring. I still recommend a smock or to wear clothes you are okay with getting stained.
After your little one finishes playing, store the leftover edible playdough in an airtight container or a sealed bag. I repurpose the frosting tubs into leftover sensory play storage containers, which work perfectly. I even lined the inside with plastic wrap to make it easier to pull it all out at once and it leaves less clean up for me! I use these (and large yogurt) containers for our leftover sticky and stretchy slime recipes also.
If it dries out a bit, add a tiny bit of oil as needed to soften it to your desired consistency.
Also, avoid discarding large amounts in your sink because it could cause a blockage. The best course of action is to save it or pitch it in the trash when finished.
What Your Little One Can Gain From This Activity
Engaging in sensory play offers a wealth of developmental and educational advantages for growing minds. This interactive play involves various materials and activities to awaken their senses—touch, sight, sound, taste, and smell. Here are a few examples of the benefits of sensory play:
- Cognitive Development
- Sensory Exploration
- Taste Safe Exploration
- Fine Motor Skills
- Hand-Eye Coordination
- Vocabulary Enhancement
- Creativity and Imagination
- Extended Attention Span
- Strengthened Parent-Child Bond
Final Thoughts on Edible Playdough
We hope your little one found this edible sensory activity as enjoyable as our kiddos. It’s simplicity can’t be beat. Please share your thoughts, questions, or experience with this edible playdough in the comment section below. We would love to hear your feedback! What is your little one’s favorite playdough recipe?
Are you interested in more sensory activity ideas? Check out Sensory Activities for more possibilities. Also, take a look at our DIY Sensory Table for an easy and thrifty activity center you can make in less than an hour.
