How To: Make traditional Day of the Dead sugar skulls

Sugar skulls, or "calaveras de azucar," are used to celebrate El dia de los Muertos, in honor of deceased friends and family. This video tutorial shows how to make sugar skulls with basic household ingredients. Once you've shaped the mixture into a skull shape, decorate and design with food coloring to suit your personal taste.

Ingredients:
4 to 5 cups powdered sugar
1 egg white
1 TBS corn syrup
1/2 tsp vanilla
Cornstarch
Food coloring
1 Paintbrush
Large plastic bag
Large container

In a large bowl mix the egg white, corn syrup, and vanilla. Add powdered sugar about two cups at a time until a dough ball forms and the dough is no longer wet looking. Remove dough from bowl and knead on a hard surface that has been dusted with powdered sugar. Keep kneading until dough is firm and stiff. Put about 1 cup of corn starch in the large plastic bag. Form dough into 1 inch balls and coat in starch filled bag. Place starch coated balls into large container. Cover container tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerator overnight. When ready to form skulls, take sugar ball and cup in hands for about 5 to 10 seconds to warm the ball slightly, so it will not crack while shaping. When ball becomes slightly pliable, form your skull. Set on tray and let dry overnight. Decorate with food coloring.