# A good paper mache recipe? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 29, 2001, 7:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-good-paper-mache-recipe/90258 "2001-10-29T07:21:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![cornflakes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@cornflakes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cornflakes)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2001, 7:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-good-paper-mache-recipe/90258/1 "2001-10-29T07:21:24Z")
**HELP!** Last year, my son and I started work on a paper mache goblin to stand by our front door. We used what I think is the standard water/flour mix. Days later, we still had a ballon covered with the wet pulp of our first layer of paper. I know it’s late, but we would still like to do something for Halloween. Does anyone have a recipe for a quick-dry form of paper mache? The weather is a lot dryer this year than it was last Halloween, but we’re still short on time. ---
**Author:** ![kniz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c37758/32.png) [@kniz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kniz)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2001, 8:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-good-paper-mache-recipe/90258/2 "2001-10-29T08:04:59Z")
[list][list][list][list][list][list] **Cornflakes** …🆒[sup]they are too soggy[/sup] ---
**Author:** ![kniz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c37758/32.png) [@kniz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kniz)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2001, 8:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-good-paper-mache-recipe/90258/3 "2001-10-29T08:09:53Z")
Go to Google and search **Paper Mache Recipe**. There are several to choose between. Good luck! ---
**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2001, 9:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-good-paper-mache-recipe/90258/4 "2001-10-29T09:59:49Z")
You might have slightly better luck searching for “papier-mâché” but both spellings seem to be in use nowadays. ---
**Author:** ![Lin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/13edae/32.png) [@Lin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lin)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2001, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-good-paper-mache-recipe/90258/5 "2001-10-29T14:38:11Z")
I found this recipe on [family.com](http://family.com). My kids and I made a pinata with it last summer. I had also procrastinated and had to have it made in 2 days. To speed things up I set it directly in the sun to dry. Only took a few hours. There were a few “gooey” spots left so I took the hairdryer to them. Seemed to work OK. Good luck! mix 1/2 cup flour 2 cups cold water add to 2 cups boiling water and boil again remove from heat add 3 tbs sugar let cool (will thicken) ---
**Author:** ![Lin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/13edae/32.png) [@Lin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lin)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2001, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-good-paper-mache-recipe/90258/6 "2001-10-29T14:40:30Z")
I forgot to ask, are your wiping off the strips of paper (between two fingers) before applying?? Maybe each strip has too much goo.