Homemade Italian Play Dough

This is the best homemade play dough ever! Very soft and squishy. The kids play for hours with this stuff (especially when they've helped to make it). I got this recipe from my kids' preschool teacher...thanks Heather!

3 Cups Flour
1/2 Cup Salt
1 Tablespoon Alum
2 Cups Boiling Water
3 Tablespoons Olive Oil
Optional food coloring, flavor extracts, and glitter

Put water in large glass bowl and bring to a boil (the micro works well for this).
Dissolve Alum in boiling water.
Combine salt with 2 cups of flour and add to bowl.
Add oil and food coloring to desired intensity.
Add flavor extract and/or glitter.
Stir well.
Add remaining cup of flour.
Stir well again.
Put dough on floured counter top and knead a few minutes, adding more flour if necessary until dough is of pliable consistency.
Store in airtight container.

* I usually add a bit more oil and flour than the recipe calls for. I also typically double the recipe.
**One of the nice things about this recipe is that it's not done on the stove top, so it's easy to let the kids help. They can do almost all of the measuring, dumping, stirring, and kneading. My oldest son and daughter LOVE this project!

Edited to read: See THIS post for recipe tips