How to Make Things Out of Sugar Cubes
Sugar cubes work well for craft projects because they simulate working with real stones or bricks. With sugar cubes, children can create all kinds of miniature buildings and structures. Because the cubes are white, two classic projects are the snow igloo and pyramid. The igloo is a slightly harder project due to the round shape. Children aged 8 and above should be able to complete the igloo project. Children 4 and above should be able to make the pyramid. Use these projects as a jumping off point to make any sculpture or design that captures your imagination.
Things You'll Need
- 2 egg whites
- Powdered sugar
- 7-inch cardboard circle
- 10-inch cardboard square
- Sugar cubes
- Pastry brush
Instructions
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Igloo
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1
Mix one egg white and 1½ cups of powdered sugar. This is what you will use to cement the layers of sugar cubes together.
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2
Space cubes around the 7-inch circle. Leave a one-inch space for an entrance. Apply the mortar to the cubes with a pastry brush.
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3
Start on the left side of the entrance. Build a layer of cubes on top of the first, staggering the joints. You will end up with gaps between each sugar piece rather than one solid line of cubes. This is the best way to stagger the joints to add strength to the design. Apply the glue to the top of the bricks, just as if building a house.
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4
Build the next layer from the right side of the entrance. Continue to alternate starting directions and staggering the cubes. Build a total of 10 layers.
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5
Space about 12 cubes together into a square shape on a separate flat surface.This will make the roof of the igloo. Hold the cubes together with the sugar mortar. This is the simplest roof design. Alternatively, you can make a circular dome shape for the roof, but it is more likely to collapse. Arrange about 10 sugar cubes into a flat arch shape on a piece of cardboard. Apply mortar between the cube joints. Allow the glue to dry overnight.
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6
Glue the roof to the top of the igloo and the arch in front of the doorway opening the following day. Allow the glue to dry overnight before moving the sculpture.
Pyramid
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7
Mix one egg white and 1½ cups of powdered sugar for the mortar.
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8
Lay a 10-by-10 cube square onto a 10-inch cardboard square. Use the mortar to hold the cubes together.
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9
Brush the mortar onto the sugar cube square. Place a nine-by-nine square of cubes onto the base Immediately add another eight-by-eight square of cubes on top of the nine-by-nine square. Stack the cubes together before the glue is dry so that the pyramid dries as one solid piece, rather than several individual pieces that you glue together later. Continue to add additional squares of cubes, subtracting one cube from each square as you go up. When you get down to a two-by-two cube square, glue one final cube to the top.
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10
Allow the pyramid to dry overnight before moving it to a new location.
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1
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
