Edible Play Clay
Last Updated on May 29, 2023 by Heather Reseck
This recipe for Edible Play Clay originally appeared in the May 14, 2022 issue of Guide magazine, a publication for children ages 10-14. It is the third in a series of 28 monthly installments called “Belief Bakery” which uses a hands-on cooking project to illustrate each of the 28 fundamental beliefs of Seventh-day Adventists.
This project is in collaboration with my husband, Greg Reseck, an educator, who tests the recipes with the students in his classroom.
We emphasize the love of God and Biblical concepts and tie them into fun cooking projects with healthy plant-based recipes.
Incredible Edible Project
We feel privileged to have our recipe featured on the cover of Guide magazine. We like how they summarized it: “A digestible reminder of your heavenly Father’s goodness.”
You can learn a lot about God the Father by observing the desirable characteristics of good human fathers—loving, kind, thoughtful, and having your best interest at heart.
Earthly fathers sometimes let us down, but your heavenly Father won’t! He knows what you need before you ask Him (see Matthew 6:8.). He loved you before you were born and adopted you into His family as a son or daughter (see Ephesians 1:3-6).
Fathers love to give special gifts to their children. God the Father loves you so much that He gave His only Son to die for you (see John 3:16).
No matter what happens, your Heavenly Father says, “Fear not, for I have redeemed you, I have called you by your name; You are Mine.” Isaiah 43:1.
Edible Play Clay
As you play with the dough in this recipe, think of how God the Father is your Potter, and you are the clay (see Isaiah 64:8). Think of God the Creator. He spoke everything else into existence but took the time to lovingly form the first humans with His hands. Think of how much your Heavenly Father loves you.
This edible play clay tastes like cookie dough. An unusual ingredient gives it the right consistency for rolling and creating fun shapes. Don’t let it keep you from making this recipe. You won’t taste it! We promise!
Health Bite
Looks for ways to eat more beans such as chickpeas, pinto beans, black beans, white beans, and lentils. Even sneaky ways like this recipe give you the health benefits of legumes. Beans are a good source of protein. One reason to include protein in your diet is that it helps to repair your body when it’s injured.
Edible Play Clay
Equipment
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Food processor
- Rubber spatula
- Clean kitchen towel
- Can opener
- Colander or strainer
- Toothpick or a knife for marking the dough
Ingredients
- 1 15-ounce can white beans, preferably unsalted
- 1¼ cup old-fashioned or quick-cooking rolled oats
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 teaspoons vanilla preferably alcohol-free
- Chocolate chips or raisins for decorating
Instructions
- Adult supervision is recommended for inexperienced junior chefs.
- Set a colander or strainer in the sink. Open the can of beans and pour it into the colander. Rinse with water. Let it drain for two to three minutes.
- Place the rolled oats in the bowl of the food processor. Secure the lid. Turn on the food processor and let it process until the oats are finely ground into flour, about 1-2 minutes.
- Spread the kitchen towel out on the counter. Pour the drained beans onto the center of the towel. Fold the ends of the towel toward the center and pat the beans dry to absorb any excess moisture.
- Remove the food processor lid and add the beans, sugar, peanut butter, honey, and vanilla.
- Replace the lid and process for 1 minute.
- Stop the food processor, remove the lid, and scrape the mixture off the sides as needed.
- Replace the lid and process until smooth.
- Transfer the play clay to a small bowl and let it stand for 5-10 minutes to absorb the moisture. (While you are waiting is a good time to start washing the dishes.)
- Pinch off a piece of the play clay. Roll into a smooth ball. Shape as desired.
- Decorate as desired with chocolate chips, raisins, or a toothpick.
- Cover any leftovers and refrigerate up to 1 week. Or freeze up to 3 months.
- Remember to wash the dishes and clean up after yourself.
Notes
- Peanut-Free Edible Play Clay: Substitute almond butter for the peanut butter.
- Nut-Free Edible Play Clay: Substitute sunflower seed butter for the peanut butter.
- Chocolate Edible Play Clay: Add 2-3 tablespoons cocoa powder and mix in well.
- Two-Tone Edible Play Clay: Remove half of the dough from the food processor. Add 1-2 tablespoons cocoa powder or carob powder and process until mixed.
- Substitute chickpeas (garbanzos) for the white beans. Decrease the oats to 1 cup.
- If the dough is too moist, make more oat flour by grinding ¼ cup of oats in a blender or food processor until finely ground. Add 1 tablespoon of flour at a time to the dough.
- If you don’t have a food processor, you can use a blender. Grind the oats into flour in a blender. Pour the flour into a mixing bowl. Blend the beans, sugar, peanut butter, honey, and vanilla until smooth. Scrape into the bowl with the oat flour and mix well. Proceed with steps 8-12.
- You can also use this recipe as edible cookie dough. Mix in chocolate chips or raisins and roll into balls and serve.
