A mixture for making a ceramic article includes a ceramic forming component, a liquid vehicle, a cellulosic binder, and a stabilizer comprising an acetate salt. The disclosure also provides a method of making the ceramic article including extruding the mixture to form a ceramic green body, drying the ceramic green body to remove at least a portion of the liquid vehicle, and optionally firing to form the ceramic article. The ceramic green body possesses excellent strength and excellent skin properties without increasing the organic load or the addition of hydrated clays.