Calaveras y Día de los Muertos

During the Mexican festival known as Día de los Muertos on November 1st and 2nd, Mexicans celebrate the lives of deceased loved ones by having picnics at gravesites or erecting altars, known as ofrendas, in homes.

An ofrenda is a traditional altar created on Día de los Muertos and decorated with flowers, pictures, fruits, food, sweets, and drinks to welcome back for a day the souls of departed family members and friends.

Sugar skulls or "calaveras," are also made before the holiday and placed on the ofrenda.



How to Make Sugar Skulls
Ingredients:
1 lb. powdered sugar
4 egg whites
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon cream of tarter
pinch of salt
cornstarch to dust rolled balls with

Makes approximately four small skulls.

Directions:
1. In a medium bowl, beat four egg whites, slowly adding cream of tarter and a pinch of salt until peaks form.
2. Add powdered sugar and work with hands to make a semi-firm paste. If mixture is too dry, add a small amount of water. If too moist, add more powdered sugar.
3. Roll into balls and dust with cornstarch.
4. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate until cool.
5. Form skulls and facial features either by hand or with sugar skull molds.
6. Allow to air dry overnight before applying icing or decorations.
7. For colored skulls, add food coloring to the water before adding to dry mixture.

Making Icing for Decoration
Ingredients:
3 egg whites
1 lb. powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon cream of tarter

Directions:
1. Using electric mixer, add cream of tarter to egg whites and mix until icing peaks.
2. Fold in powdered sugar.
3. Keep in a tightly covered container until used.
4. Add food color if desired.

To decorate the skulls:
Handle skull carefully while decorating. For piped icing, snip corner of quart-sized food storage bag and fill bag half-full of icing and softly squeeze to make designs.