Sugar Friends

[morgaina]

I think I would like to have some of my classes decorate sugar skulls for Dia de los Muertos. There are some web sites that sell molds for casting sugar skulls, they also have meringue powder, which they say is necessary for casting sugar. Is this true?
Is there a recipe that doesn't call for that?
Thanks

Comments

[callistabee.livejournal.com]

hmm. I am not an expert, but I've done the sugar easter eggs with just sugar and a bit of water...I used superfine sugar, but I don't think you have to..

[copper-oxide.livejournal.com]

Thanks, I will experiment with it myself before presenting it to the class.

[callistabee.livejournal.com]

The ratio is approximately 2 c sugar to 1 T water for sugar eggs. Sandy, not wet. Freewaydiva is of course correct about meringue power and stability. If she hadn't offered, I would have suggested coupons for JoAnne's or Michael's. 40% makes a big difference a little power goes a long way...

[copper-oxide.livejournal.com]

Hey thanks for the ratios!!
If a little powder goes a long way, I will go for that. My budget is down, so I am cutting corners. But I still want to do fun projects with the kids.

[freewaydiva.livejournal.com]

Meringue powder will give it a lot more stability - kind of like a lightweight mortar. You could probably cast without it, but they'll crumble much more quickly.

I'll happily donate some to your class if it's prohibitively expensive. Because what a cool thing to do!

[copper-oxide.livejournal.com]

Thanks, Wow :-)
I thought the kids would love it. All nice and multi-cultural too.

[freewaydiva.livejournal.com]

My pleasure! We'll tawk...

[madeileen.livejournal.com]

My friend and I made sugar skulls last year, and the differnce of having merangue powder was definatly noticable. I don't know if you have the craft store Micheals in the states(I am pretty sure you do) but they sell it, and a little goes a long way, so buy the small jar!

[copper-oxide.livejournal.com]

Thanks, that's important to know.
Are there any other suggestions for sugar skulls you might have?

The Diva said she'd donate some meringue powder, YaY!

[a-pinkmonkey.livejournal.com]

Happy birthday girlfriend. Will we see you at Crown?

[copper-oxide.livejournal.com]

Thanks :-)
Crown is too far for me to travel, I'll be at Moot though. It will be here before we know it!