Best Papier-Mâché Recipe

What's the best papier-mâché recipe?

We've sampled lots of papier-mâché recipes, but our favorite is this smooth, light paste that's easy to work with. To make it, combine 1/2 cup all-purpose flour and 2 cups cold water in a bowl. Add this mixture to a saucepan of 2 cups boiling water and bring it to a boil again. Remove from the heat and stir in 3 tablespoons of sugar. Let it cool; it will thicken as it cools. Once it does, it's ready to use.

This all-purpose recipe will work for any project. Looking for some good ones? You and your kids can try whipping up a batch of puppet pals, a bowl of faux fruits, or a super-easy hot air balloon piñata (the perfect decoration for any birthday party). Whatever you create, remember to make only the amount of papier-mâché paste you need. Even in the refrigerator, paste spoils quickly.