With The Sugar Skull Bakers, Even Death Tastes Sweet

Snow White Sugar Skull by Sweet Janis

The Day of the Dead is a holiday in Mexico, that uses art, music, cooking, and storytelling to celebrate the memories of family and friends who have died. These stories focus on remembering how the person lived and include family adventures, fun times, and lessons learned.

Prior to Spanish colonization in the 16th century, the celebration took place at the beginning of summer. It was moved to October 31, November 1 and November 2 to coincide with the Roman Catholic triduum festival of Allhallowtide: All Hallows’ Eve, Hallowmas, and All Souls’ Day.

Traditions connected with the holiday include honoring the deceased using sugar skulls, marigolds, and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed, and visiting graves with these as gifts. Visitors also leave possessions of the deceased at the graves. 

Close-up of the poisoned apple with the white skull image.

 

Jean Schapowal of Cakes with Character crafted this Princess Leia Sugar Skull. Leia’s hair buns are on either side of her skull. A green and red light saber are positioned just below the skull. Like me, Jean is a Huge Star Wars geek. She did a great job combining Star Wars with Dia de Muertos to create this magnificent Leia Sugar Skull.  Jean hand painted the cake board.  The skull was sculpted using Rice Krispies Treats and hand painted.

Below are some pictures of the cake in progress.

 

Leia in progress

 

 

This magnificent Maleficent Cake was made by Cakes by Timbo. Maleficent has her classic headdress. Her eyes and the area around them are black.  Her face is tattooed in a manner associated with the Day of the Dead.

 

 

Gonzuela’s Cakes made this gorgeous Unicorn Cake. The unicorn is black with white bones painted on it.  The unicorn is wearing a mask.  The wings and tail are rainbow colored. The cake board has a massive spider web and skulls drawn on it in such a way that it looks like chalk.  Near the skulls are candles.

 

 

Caking It created this Science Fiction version that looks very much like a Borg Sugar Skull.

 

 

 

 

The Violet Cake Shop created this marvelous Minion Sugar Skull.  The Cake is on top of a hat box that says “The Best is yet to come”. This Minion is wearing a red rose hat and gray glasses. The mouth is made of stitches.

 

 

Minion’s face

 

 

Minion’s skirt and shoes

 

 

Minion Cake with a slice missing

 

 

Allison Henry of Let’s Eat Cupcakes made this magnificent Marilyn Monroe Sugar Skull. Marilyn has white hair, red lips with stitches on either side, and white teeth. Black and white roses are at the base of her head.

 

 

 

 

 

This stunning Nightmare Before Christmas Cake was made by Splendor – Cakes and more.  The idea of featuring Jack Skellington on a Day of the Dead Cake is brilliant. 

 

 

I love the dichotomy of the top and bottom layer.  The top layer is bright, colorful, and has beautiful flowers.  The bottom layer is black and white and features tattooed versions of Jack and Sally.

 

 

 

 

If you enjoyed these awesome cakes, please visit the rest at Sugar Skull Bakers.