DIY Sugar Skull Royal Icing

Decorating Sugar Skulls with icing is a common way to decorate with minimal cost as the only requirement is eggs, confectioner's powder sugar and piping bags. There are many recipes for Royal Icing for Sugar Skulls, we try to keep it simple if you choose not to buy pre-packaged royal icing and make it yourself with this easy to follow recipe.

We highly advise to make your icing in advance, especially if you are making your skulls with a group so that everything is ready to go and people can get straight to decorating immediately. 

Royal Icing Recipe

Equipment Needed

  • Mixer - Stand/Electric Mixer Preferred
  • Piping bag

Ingredients

  • 3 egg whites
  • 1 pound confectioners’ sugar (450g)
  • Gel Food Coloring

Instructions for Sugar Skull Icing

  • In the bowl of a stand mixer or large mixing bowl, beat egg whites on medium-low speed until frothy, about 1 minute.
  • With the mixer on low speed, slowly add in confectioners’ sugar.
  • Once fully incorporated, increase speed to medium-high and beat until stiff peaks shiny peaks form.
  • Divide icing among small bowls, and add gel food coloring to achieve desired colors. (Keep any icing that isn’t being immediately used covered with plastic wrap as it dries out very quickly.) Transfer to piping bags and decorate skulls.
  • Egg whites whip up easier when closer to room temperature. Try to separate eggs and set to the side for 30 minutes before whipping.

Tips for Great Sugar Skull Icing

  • You can whip egg whites by hand, but it’ll require a lot of elbow grease to get it done.
  • If your icing has started to harden, add a drop or two of water to bring it back to your desired consistency. However, avoid making the icing too thin as it’ll lead to air bubbles.

FAQs

DOES THIS ICING GET HARD?

As royal icing dries, it hardens to the consistency of a candy-like coating with a smooth, shiny finish, so it doesn’t smear if you run your hands over it. It will take 6 to 8 hours to dry at room temperature.

CAN I MAKE THIS AHEAD OF TIME?

Yes, you can! The royal icing will keep well in the fridge for up to two weeks when not exposed to air. Keep the icing in an airtight container, or keep the piping bag tightly sealed.


WHY IS MY ICING RUNNY?

If you added too much water to your recipe your icing consistency could be too thin/runny for decorating skulls. Remember, you want a stiff/thick consistency so it hold firm on your skull and doesn't run/bleed onto the sugar. We advise to test your consistency on a paper towel before transferring to a bag. Also, if you add too much gel coloring, you may want to add a bit of confectioner's sugar to stiffen up your icing a bit to avoid the gel coloring making your icing runny.

CAN I EAT THE SUGAR SKULLS?

Since sugar skulls can be made of edible items, it is possible to eat them. But, the art of sugar skulls creation is not with the intent to eat, but rather spend that time reflecting and remembering your loved one. Also, the skulls are very hard and you could likely break a tooth attempting to take a bite.