The Day of the Dead is a national holiday celebrated on the first 2 days of November in many Latin American countries. It is observed to honor the deceased. In Mexico, where the tradition is believed to have originated, skulls are popular symbols of the holiday and are portrayed on decorations, masks and costumes. Special confections known as sugar skulls are made to be given as gifts.
Prepare the dough to make sugar skulls by sifting the powdered sugar in a large mixing bowl and combining the corn syrup, vanilla and egg whites in a small bowl until well blended. Then add the liquid mixture to the bowl containing the sugar.
2
Use your hands to mix the sugar and liquid together until it begins to form a soft dough. When the texture feels a bit gritty and pulls away slightly from your fingers and the side of the bowl, shape into a large ball. Refrigerate the dough ball for about 30 minutes.
3
Dust a clean, dry work surface (such as a counter or pastry board) lightly with the cornstarch and coat your hands with it. The cornstarch will help to prevent sticking while you work with the dough.
4
Pull off 1 heaping tbsp. of dough at a time and form each into the shape of a skull. Alternatively, if you are using molds, you may press the sugar dough into each mold. Set the sugar skulls in a cool, dry place to harden overnight.
5
Decorate your sugar skulls the following day. You might paint them with a small, soft paintbrush dipped into food coloring. You can also decorate them with sugar frosting (the kind that hardens) using a pastry bag or frosting tip.
Tips & Warnings
If the dough becomes crumbly, add 1 tsp. of water. If it is too moist, add 1 tsp. of sugar.
If the sugar skulls do not dry completely, place them in an oven at 200 degrees F until dry.
Sugar skulls are intended to be given as gifts to the living as well as for offerings to honor the dead.
If stored in a cool, dry place, sugar skulls will keep for up to 1 year.
Sugar skulls will not turn out well if you make them during rainy or humid weather.
Until the American invention of granulated sugar in 1820, sugar was purchased in sugarloaves. These early conical-shaped, earthenware sugar molds were integral...
