Sugar Skull Recipe for Day of the Dead

Recipe by  Chef Austin

 

 

It's easier than you think to make your next party SPOOKY. Nordic Ware's skull baking tray can be used as a cake pan or to make sugar skulls for Day of the Dead. With fondant stamps and a simple frosting, you can easily make an impressive sugar skull with Nordic Ware's skull cake pan. Find the directions below and make this the scariest Halloween ever!

 

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Sugar Skull Recipe

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Makes: 1 Spooky Skull

Prep Time: 1 Hour
Inactive Time: 24 Hours
Cook Time: 2 Hours

Ingredients:

9 Cups Sugar
1/3 Cup Water
Corn Starch for dusting

Royal Icing store-bought or

homemade:

3 Tbsp Meringue Powder
4 Cups Powdered Sugar
4 Tbsp water

 

Fondant
Small LED Tea Candle

 

 

Featured Products:

Nordic Ware Haunted Skull Cake Pan

 

Directions:

 

Step 1
In a large bowl, add sugar and water. Mix together until you have a wet and sandy consistency that will pack together.

 

Step 2
Dust the inside of the Nordic Ware Haunted Skull Baking Tray with cornstarch.

 

Step 3
Firmly pack in wet sugar mixture into the skull cake pan. Try not to be too scared.

 

Step 4
Scoop out a cavity on both sides of the skull cake pan. This makes space to place an LED tea candle. Hollow out the eye sockets. Let the skull baking tray rest in peace for 24 hours.

 

Step 5
Carefully slide out dried sugar skull pieces onto a baking tray. Bake in a preheated 200°F oven for 45 minutes.

 

Step 6
Remove from oven and let cool to room temperature. If you are using store-bought royal icing, skip to Step 7. If you are making home-made royal icing, with an electric mixer, whip together the powdered sugar water and meringue powder to stiff peaks. You'll want the frosting the consistency of glue. If it is too runny, add more powdered sugar - if it is too thick, add 1 tsp of water at a time and mix in. 

 

Step 7
Place frosting into a piping bag and layer a thick line of frosting on the edge of the backside of the skull. Turn on a small LED candle and place it in the skull cavity. Carefully place the face side of the skull on the frosting and let sit to dry. Do not disturb, the skull needs its rest.  

 

Step 8
In the meantime, roll out store-bought fondant (you can find it by all the cake decorating tools). Use the fondant stamps to make designs to decorate your skull with.

 

Step 9
Wet the back of the fondant decoration with a small amount of royal icing and place them on the sugar skull as you wish. Be sure to get extra spooky with Skull & Vine plates from Fiesta Dinnerware!

 

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About the Author:  Chef Austin Merath is Everything Kitchen's Culinary Wizard, Kitchen-Gadget Reviewer, and New-Product Tester. He studied under chefs in College of the Ozarks' Culinary Program. It's his job to make sure you choose the kitchen tools that are right for you by testing the best we have to offer. When not cooking, Austin is tinkering with computers or exploring the Ozarks with his wife Amy. Click here for his full bio.