How to Make a Cascarone

Cascarones

Cascarones are decorated eggshells filled with confetti. Mexican fiestas use Cascarones and Mardi Gras celebrants toss these at innocent bystanders, bringing life and fun to the party. During the Italian Renaissance, Cascarones came in a different form. Men would toss an eggshell, filled with perfumes or other items, toward a woman to show his affection for her. Cascarones make great party favors anytime of the year, and you can decorate them to match any theme or holiday occasion. Try tossing a Cascarone toward a secret admire, or smash them at your next bash.

Things You'll Need

• Chicken egg
• Paring knife
• Bowl
• Cloth
• Pencil
• Paint and paintbrush
• Markers
• Confetti
• Tissue paper

Instructions

1. Tap the wide end of the egg with a paring knife. Use light pressure to avoid cracking the whole eggshell. Continue to tap on the eggshell until you have created a dime-sized hole.

2. Insert the knife into the egg and break the egg’s yolk. Place a bowl under your egg, and poke the egg yolk with the tip of your knife so the egg yolk can drain out.

3. Clean the eggshell. Carefully run a slow stream of water into the hole and rinse out any remaining egg residue. Repeat if necessary, and gently wipe the outside of the eggshell with a cloth. Allow the egg to air dry.

4. Decorate your egg with markers and paint. Apply light pressure with your markers and paintbrush and decorate the eggs any way you wish. Consider using glitter or other embellishments to make your Cascarone bold and bright.

5. Pour two teaspoons of confetti into the hole at the bottom of the egg. Use a teaspoon to insert the confetti, or manually insert the confetti with your fingers.

6. Apply glue around the edge of the hole and attach tissue paper. Cut out a 2-inch design, such as a circle or star, from the tissue paper. Attach the tissue paper to the glue surrounding the hole.

Tips & Warnings

• Try using a needle instead of a paring knife to break the eggshell easier without cracking the egg.

• Plan an omelet breakfast to use the egg yolk rather than wasting it.

• Consider buying a dozen eggs and decorating them all. This way, you will have access to another egg, if you should break the eggshell before turning it into a Cascarone.

• Choose liquid glue over a stick glue to avoid breaking the eggshell.

• Eggshells are sharp and may puncture skin.

• Do not tread on eggshells. Avoid getting egg yolk or eggshells on the floor.

• Do not throw Cascarones at anyone to avoid an injury.