Hot Chocolate Playdough Recipe + 3 Ways to Play

I am a big fan of scented playdough and while a strong coffee scent may just be my all time fave, this Hot Chocolate Playdough is all kinds of special!

In fact, when we made our latest batch hubby asked me to please remove it from the kitchen bench as it smelled so good!

Homemade Hot Chocolate Playdough Recipe

Hot Chocolate Playdough Recipe

While it does smell rather special, the high salt content is not going to make it taste anywhere near as good, so I suggest keeping this recipe for children who are well past the mouthing stage.

Just like our funfetti textured playdough, lemon and rosemary playdough and autumn scented playdough, this is a variation of my pick of the easiest, never-fail cooked playdough recipe. The secret to the success of this recipe is the addition of cocoa and vanilla essence. Add these to the regular ingredients for homemade playdough – flour, salt, oil and cream of tarter – using the recipe found below.

Fun, Festive Ideas for Playing with Hot Chocolate Playdough

And just for fun, here are three fun and festive suggestions for play with this awesome scented playdough. Enjoy!

{Not So Hot} Cocoa Playdough Recipe + 3 Ways to Play

1. Playdough Reindeers

Add twigs or pipe cleaners, mini pom poms, buttons and googly eyes as an invitation to create Rudolph and his family.

{Not So Hot} Cocoa Playdough Recipe + 3 Ways to Play

2. Christmas Baking

A cookie tray with cookie cutters, rolling pin and a selection of decorations (sequins, buttons, small beads, googly eyes, small pom poms) is sure to result in lots of Christmas inspired baking!

{Not So Hot} Cocoa Playdough Recipe + 3 Ways to Play

3. Hot Chocolate Cafe

It’s time for a Christmas hot chocolate or cocoa bar with the addition of tea cups and pom poms or buttons for marshmallows (as always, be mindful of using buttons and other small items with children who are still mouthing items).

Hot Chocolate Playdough Recipe

Homemade Hot Chocolate Playdough Recipe

A simple recipe for Hot Chocolate Playdough for festive sensory play.

Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Difficulty Easy

Materials

  • 1 cup plain flour
  • 1/2 cup table salt
  • 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa
  • 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Tools

  • Measuring cups
  • Measuring spoons
  • Saucepan
  • Wooden spoon
  • Chopping board

Instructions

    1. Combine all ingredients in a saucepan and stir over a low heat for 3-5 minutes. The dough will form a ball.
    2. Continue to turn over on the heat for further 1-2 minutes.
    3. Turn dough out onto a board and knead until smooth.

Notes

  • Store playdough in an airtight plastic bag when not in use.

For more sensory playdough fun, check out these related recipes;

Christmas peppermint playdough recipe
Textured Funfetti playdough recipe
Homemade Maple Pumpkin Playdough Fall Sensory Play