Alfenique de Dia de los Muertos (Candy Skulls)

Sugar skulls are part of Mexico's Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) tradition. Typically sugar is boiled and poured into ceramic molds. Once hardened, they are removed and decorated with colorful icings. The name of a loved one who has passed away is written across the forehead in remembrance. These are placed at altars honoring treasured relatives, and can be eaten later. Other shapes are also made, such as lambs and doves, but only the skulls receive the names of those who are deceased.

The following is a recipe for making sugar skulls. They're not as tasty as the ones made of boiled sugar (the cornstarch adds a flavor somewhat like cardboard), but are much easier to make and you don't need any molds. This is simple, fun to make, and great for children. The only "messy" part is when the cornstarch gets on hands and clothing, but cleanup is easy.

2 cups confectioners sugar
1/8 cup granulated sugar
Powdered egg white with water
1 tablespoon light corn syrup
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup cornstarch

Sift confectioners sugar. Add granulated sugar. Set aside.

In large bowl, mix powdered egg white and water according to package instructions, to make equivalent of one egg white. Add vanilla and corn syrup, and mix well. Gradually add sugar into egg white mixture, combining well. Use your hands to form into a ball.

Generously sprinkle board or table with cornstarch. Knead cornstarch into mixture until it is shaped into a smooth, manageable ball. At this point, you may wrap the mixture tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to use (it will last for many weeks).

When ready, shape into skulls, place onto wax paper, and allow to dry thoroughly. Once dried, you may decorate.

For decorating:
Food coloring
confectioners sugar
Water
Fine paintbrush

Make colored icing by combining confectioners sugar with small amounts of water and food coloring. Use the icing to "paint" the skulls. You can also paint the skulls directly with food coloring, but this method tends to "bleed."

While wet, sprinkle the icing with colored sugars or other decorations. The skulls are supposed to look colorful and happy - the dead like to be remembered; the sugar reminds us that death can be a sweet thing, just as life. If the skull is in remembrance of a loved one, you can write that person's name across the forehead.

If you're not going to eat the skulls, use sequins for the eyes and decorate with glitter, glue, and ribbons. Remembering the dead should be a warm and happy thing, as it is in Mexico and many other cultures around the world.