How to Use Icing Bags to Decorate Sugar Skulls

Every year, people make sugar skulls decorated with bright and vibrant icing to celebrate Day of the Dead and to remember loved ones that passed away. Decorate your own sugar skulls in a variety of colors and with intricate designs by following some simple instructions to prepare your icing bags.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Plastic decorating bags
• Spoon
• Icing
• Scissors

1. Select bags to fill with icing. You can use decorating bags designed specifically for icing and decorating. Purchase these cone-shaped bags at any specialty stores that sell cake or candy decorating items. Or use heavy-duty, plastic zipper lock bags.
2. Spoon icing into the bags, filling no more than 1/4 full. Bags that are too full make it difficult to squeeze icing out when decorating the sugar skulls. The less icing in the bag, the easier it is to make detailed designs.
3. Push all the icing toward one lower corner of the bag. Fold the opposite corner over to remove excess air from the bag.
4. Twist the end of the bag tightly, right above where the icing ends. This ensures that icing won't squeeze out the top of the bag, and it keeps excess air out of the bag.
5. Cut the tip off the lower corner of the bag. A smaller hole allows you to make more intricate and detailed designs.
6. Squeeze the icing bag to push icing out and decorate the sugar skulls. Keep pressure on the bag constant to make uniform decorations.

Tips & Warnings

• Icing will dry quickly at the open end of the bag and clog the tip. Place a toothpick in the tip of the bag when you're not using it, or cover the opening with a damp paper towel.
• Your hands can warm the icing and cause a change in consistency.