Day of the Dead Sugar Skull Cookies Recipe

posted by Stacie on October 27, 2015 // Comments Off

Day of the Dead Sugar Skull Cookies Recipe

The Day of the Dead is a Mexican holiday celebrated throughout Mexico, in particular the Central and South regions, and by people of Mexican heritage elsewhere. Day of the Dead, or Dia de Los Muertos, often sees sugar skulls being made as part of the offerings or ofrendas. They are literally skull-shaped sugar. Traditional sugar skulls are made from a granulated white sugar mixture that is pressed into special skull molds. So we made these delicious cookies into the form of these colorful skulls. We didn't go the traditional route but we hope that you enjoy this Day of the Dead Sugar Skull Cookies Recipe just the same.

Day of the Dead Sugar Skull Cookies Recipe

Ingredients for cookies

5 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups soft unsalted butter
2 cups granulated sugar
4 eggs
Skull Cookie Cutter

Directions for cookies

Cream the soft butter with the sugar until the combination is smooth not grainy to the touch in a mixing bowl.
Add all 4 eggs at one time…Continue to mix. -Add the vanilla.. Continue mixing.
Sift the flour, baking powder, and salt together.
Add the dry mixture to the wet mixture.
Continue mixing to make sure all ingredients are thoroughly blended.
Make the dough into a ball, wrap it in cling wrap completely covering the entire dough ball.
Put in the refrigerator for about 6 hours or overnight. Check to see if the dough is firm.
Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
Pull the cookie dough out of the refrigerator and sit it out to soften up a bit.
Put flour out on the wood cutting board, rub flour on the rolling pin, and work some flour into the batter. (if needed)
Roll the dough out on the cutting board and using the skull cookie cutter begin to make your cookies.
Line the cookie sheet with parchment paper.
Using a metal spatula move the cut skull cookies to the parchment lined cookie sheet.
Bake at 325 degrees for 8 minutes. Check to see if the cookies are thoroughly baked.
Take the skull cookies off of the cookie sheet and put on a wire rack to cool completely. (About 10 minutes).

Day of the Dead Sugar Skull Cookies Recipe Royal Icing Recipe

Ingredients for Royal Icing

2 egg whites
1 cup powdered sugar
1/2 tsp cream of tartar
food coloring

Directions for Royal Icing

Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl mixing on medium speed for 4 minutes. (except your food coloring)
If icing is not stiff enough add 1/4 C powdered sugar.
Divide the icing into the number of bowls that will hold each color that you will need for the cookies as displayed in the picture of cookies or on google.
Spoon each color of icing into individual frosting bags with a #5 tips. Twist the open end of the bag to push the icing to the tip.
Locate a picture of the Day of the Dead cookies on Google and print it out. Using the picture as an example draw the outline on the center of the cookie using a Food Writer.
Outline each of the skull cookies in white then fill the cookies in with a watered down icing. Squeeze the majority of the icing into a bowl then add 1 tsp of water to this and mix it in.
Leave a small amount of the icing in the frosting bag for later use on the cookies.
Use bright colors and be creative with the designs, or locate a picture of the Day of the Dead skulls on Google and print it out. Using the picture as an example draw the outline on the center of the cookie using a Food Writer or free hand the design. Outline the design first in your choice of color then fill the design in with the same color.

Now that you've made these adorable cookies, you just have to decide who to give them to. We hope that you are inspired by this Day of the Dead Sugar Skull Cookies Recipe. Happy baking!