A favorite activity during El Día de los Muertos or the Day of the Dead celebrations is the making of sugar skulls.

According to MexicanSugarSkull.com:

Sugar Skulls are a traditional folk art from Southern Mexico used to celebrate Day of the Dead. Mounds of colorful sugar skulls are sold by Indian vendors in open air village markets during the week preceding the holiday. Spirits of the dead are welcomed back to their homes with beautifully decorated altars made by their loved ones.

Sugar skulls, marigolds, candles, incense and special foods adorn home altars. Families take the flowers and sugar skulls to the cemetery to decorate the tombs on November 2. Sugar skulls are colorfully decorated with icing, pieces of bright foil, colored sugars and usually bear the name of the deceased loved one being honored. They are easy to make by children and adults, and if kept dry, they can last a year.

Go to their website for a a sugar skull recipe and how-to-make instructions. They also sell sugar skull molds and Day of the Dead t-shirts and fabrics.

Like what you see? Subscribe to My Readable Feast for updates!