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Calaveras de Azúcar (Sugar Skulls): A Beginner’s Guide & Easy Recipe for Home Cooks in the USA

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Learn how to make traditional Calaveras de Azúcar (Sugar Skulls) at home! This fun and colorful recipe is perfect for beginners and home cooks in the USA who want to create authentic, edible sugar skulls for Día de los Muertos or festive celebrations.

  • Author: Nia Yarden
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 12 hours (including drying)
  • Yield: 6–12 sugar skulls (depending on mold size) 1x
  • Category: Dessert / Cultural
  • Method: No-Bake
  • Cuisine: Mexican
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 cups granulated sugar (about 600 g)
  • 3 teaspoons meringue powder (or 2 pasteurized egg whites)
  • 3 tablespoons water (approx.)
  • Gel food coloring (various colors)
  • Confectioners’ sugar (for royal icing)
  • Lemon juice or vanilla extract (optional, for flavor)
  • Edible metallic leaf or luster dust (optional)
  • Edible markers (for names)

Tools & Equipment:

  • Sugar skull molds (plastic or silicone)
  • Mixing bowls (medium and large)
  • Electric hand or stand mixer
  • Piping bags with small tips (#1–#3)
  • Palette knife or small spatula
  • Wax paper or parchment paper
  • Cooling rack (optional)
  • Small paintbrush (for luster dust)

Instructions

  1. Prepare workspace: Work in a dry area and line trays with wax paper.
  2. Mix dry ingredients: Combine sugar and meringue powder. Mix well.
  3. Add water: Add 3 tablespoons water gradually until the mixture clumps together without being wet.
  4. Pack molds: Press the sugar mixture firmly into skull molds. Smooth the tops.
  5. Unmold & dry: Flip molds onto wax paper and let dry 6–12 hours (or overnight).
  6. Prepare royal icing: Beat 3 cups powdered sugar, 2 tbsp meringue powder, and 3–4 tbsp water until stiff peaks form. Divide and tint with gel colors.
  7. Decorate: Pipe outlines and colorful details using royal icing. Add edible accents while icing is wet.
  8. Personalize: Write names on the foreheads with edible markers.
  9. Dry completely: Let skulls dry 4–6 hours before storing in airtight containers.

Notes

Work in a low-humidity area to prevent melting. Use meringue powder instead of raw egg whites for safety. Store dried skulls in a cool, dry place for up to 2 weeks. For classroom or family projects, prepare skulls ahead and let kids decorate.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://www.nytrecipe.com/calaveras-de-azucar-sugar-skulls/