Sugar Skulls

Ingredients

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp fine salt
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp almond extract
• 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
• 3 tbsp meringue powder
• 6 tbsp warm water
• gel food coloring in black, yellow, pink, purple, and orange
• 1 tbsp corn syrup (for gloss)

Steps

1. 1

   1. Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. In a separate large bowl, beat butter and granulated sugar until pale and fluffy, then mix in the egg, vanilla, and almond extract.

2. 2

   2. Gradually blend the flour mixture into the butter mixture until a smooth dough forms. Flatten into a disk, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for at least one hour.

3. 3

   3. Preheat the oven to 375°F. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough to about 1/4-inch thickness and cut out skull shapes using a skull-shaped cookie cutter. Place on parchment-lined baking sheets.

4. 4

   4. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes until the edges are just set but not browned. Transfer to a wire rack and cool completely before decorating.

5. 5

   5. Beat meringue powder, warm water, and powdered sugar together until stiff peaks form, then stir in corn syrup. Divide into small bowls and tint each portion with a different gel food color.

6. 6

   6. Transfer icings to piping bags fitted with fine tips. Pipe a white base coat on each skull, let it set for 30 minutes, then pipe detailed floral patterns, eye sockets, and teeth over each cookie. Allow to dry fully for 2 hours before serving.