Sugar Skulls are a traditional folk art originating from Southern Mexico and now used around the world for celebrating Dia de Los Muertos.

November 1st, All Saint's Day, is commonly celebrated in remembrance of children and is also known as "Day of the Little Angels" and November 2nd, All Soul's Day, for adults and also known as "Day of the Dead".

Families and loved ones often take flowers, candles, Sugar Skulls and prayer cards to the cemetery to decorate grave sites or create personal altars in their homes.

I select one of my handmade Sugar Skulls to take to our church courtyard with prayer cards and place them on the shrine of our Blessed Mother.

The following instructions are those I've collected from others and honed for myself.

Something to note, making Sugar Skulls isn't an exact science, it is rather a craft recipe.


MATERIALS NEEDED:

Sugar Skull Molds
Granulated Sugar
Powdered Sugar
Meringue Powder
Corrugated Cardboard Squares (1 for each piece)
Large Stainless Steel Bowl
Measuring Spoons
1 Cup Liquid Measuring Cup
1/4 Cup Dry Measuring Cup
Electric Mixer

DO NOT MAKE SUGAR SKULLS ON RAINY OR HIGHLY HUMID DAYS -- chances are they'll not turn out quite as well.

For a large sized skull (18" to 19" in circumference as if measured for a hat) mix together well a 5 pound bag of granulated sugar in a large stainless steel bowl along with 1/4 cup Meringue Powder.

(1 teaspoon Meringue Powder per cup of sugar).

Sprinkle in 10 teaspoons of water.

(1 teaspoon water per cup of sugar).

MERINGUE POWDER CANNOT BE OMMITTED. It can be a bit tricky to locate yet is a must-have ingredient.

Skull molds can be tricky to locate, too. I found a large sized one in a candle/soap making shop.

Mix ingredients with hands until all the sugar is moistened. If necessary, add small bits of water until your fingerprints remain when squeezing the sugar in your hand. (Like cool sand at the beach). If it doesn't hold together then the mixture is still a bit too dry.

MOLDING: Pack sugar mixture into mold firmly, especially to edges, eyes, and chins. Use a straight edged knife to scrape the back of the mold flat. Pack down more until completely tight.

Place a piece of the cardboard over mold and invert immediately. Carefully lift off mold.

Should you goof up simply repeat the process beginning with placing all the sugar mixture back into the stainless steel bowl.

DRYING: I let my large sized Sugar Skull set overnight.

Large sized skulls are a 2-piece mold, and need to be scooped out after drying (at least 8 hours).

Sugar Skulls, continued...

Carefully hold skull and hollow out both the back and front pieces with a spoon. (Take care not to hollow too deeply as to break through). Leave the skull about 1/2 inch thick.

(Do not scoop out the neck area).

Set hollowed skulls upside down to continue drying process. (I allow mine to set on a fluffy towel overnight).

When thoroughly dry, assemble the front and back pieces with Royal Icing. Align points on the skull and drag your finger over the seam to wipe away oozing.

Allow skull to dry at least 3 hours. (I allow mine to dry overnight).

If the two pieces of your skull are slipping around, then try adding a Tablespoon of Powdered Sugar to help stiffen up the Royal Icing.

ROYAL ICING RECIPE:

Mix 2/3 cup water, 1/2 cup Meringue Powder and 2 pounds Powdered Sugar using electric mixer until peaks form. (I do this for about 10 minutes).

Royal Icing is a cement type icing. It is quite strong and dries nicely and is long lasting.

Now comes the FUN part -- decorating...! Enjoy using beads, feathers, lace, sequins, colored icing (Royal Icing is the finest) and whatever your creative little heart desires.

Sugar Skulls can last for years if kept in cool dry places.

If you have any questions simply let me know and I'll do my best to offer help....!

I'm looking up where I have to find what I need for this recipe and I'm hoping to try it by the end of this week. Thank you.

I hope I'm not sounding stupid, but what size is a large size skull mold. There are a lot of different sizes and I want to make sure I get the right measurements for the ingrediants listed.

Curious, how is everyone doing on their Dia de Los Muertos sugar skulls...?

Anyone have any photos to share...?

^^I haven't been able to find the molds I need to make them yet. It is getting annoying.

Pictured below is one of the Sugar Skulls I created for celebrating Dia de los Meurtos this year.

I've selected it from among the others I made to be taken to our church courtyard and placed on the shrine of our Blessed Mother.

Its circumference is about 17."

The others I made are smaller, about 12" circumference.

Simply to share a little secret: I always place a tiny plastic shiny gold Crucifix inside each of my Sugar Skulls.

^^Simply gorgeous!

Wow, that is so cool! I wonder if I can somehow mess with the recipe to make it vegan, since I'm pretty sure the meringue powder is used only for stiffening and body. Hmmm....(gets out vegan chemistry kit).

But I actually just bought some papier mache skulls from Micheal's I was planning on decorating. Not as authentic, but hopefully cool-looking!