How to Prepare Icing for Sugar Skulls

After you make Mexican sugar skulls to celebrate Day of the Dead, you need to decorate the skulls with bright, vibrant icing. Royal icing is the best type of icing to use because it dries hard and shiny, and it colors well. While preparing the icing to decorate your own sugar skulls isn't difficult, there are some steps that you should follow to see the best results.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Electric mixer
• Mixing bowl
• Measuring cups
• 2/3 cup water
• 1/2 cup meringue powder
• 2 lb. powdered sugar
• Spoon
• Decorating bag

1. Ensure the electric mixer's beaters and the mixing bowl don't have any grease or oil on them. If they do, then the icing will be soft, and it won't attain the desired consistency.

2. Add 2/3 cup of water and 1/2 cup of meringue powder to the mixing bowl.

3. Mix the water and meringue powder until well combined.

4. Pour 2 lb. powdered sugar into the mixing bowl, while the mixer is running. Do this slowly so the mixture doesn't fly out of the bowl.

5. Beat the icing for approximately 9 minutes. The icing is ready when it loses its shine and forms peaks.

6. Spoon the royal icing into a decorating bag in order to pipe designs on sugar skulls. Bags should be no more than 1/4 full.

7. Store any leftover icing at room temperature in an airtight container.

Tips & Warnings

• The amount of water used can vary depending on how thick or thin you want the icing. The thinner it is, the easier it is to decorate the sugar skulls.
• Use the royal icing immediately because it hardens when exposed to air.
• Don't refrigerate royal icing.