We had a Day of the Dead party. We wanted to make a celebration that our kids, who are still young, could have fund with but that also would have enough traditional elements to maintain the significance and importance of this holiday. It really was a great opportunity to talk about great grandparents who are not with us any longer and to spark conversations about death and celebrate life.
The sugar skulls or calaveras de azucar are a very important part of the Día de los Muertos or Day of the Dead celebrations. Sugar skulls are usually made of sugar and ornately decorated. They are used as ofrendas in altars made for those loved ones who have passed away. It’s believed that the skulls and other decorations used for different celebrations where made of sugar simply because it was a material that was affordable and easily accessible.
I would have loved to make sugar skulls but we didn’t have a mold to make these so I decided to come up with my own version. I dipped strawberries in white chocolate and decorated them to make white chocolate strawberry skulls. These made the perfect addition to our Day of the Dead party menu and the kids loved them, they are also a lot healthier than a skull made of solid sugar.
This was actually my first time dipping strawberries in chocolate, can’t believe I had never done it before! After dipping the strawberries I let the chocolate cool off and harden for about half an hour . I do not recommend that you put them in the refrigerator because when you take them out to decorate the chocolate gets covered in condensation and believe me trying to decorate wet chocolate is not the best idea. Let’s just say the first few strawberries did not look as good as these do.
For creating the designs I used Wilton candy markers, this was the first time I used these and could not believe how well they write on the chocolate. At first I was thinking of using lots of colors on my little strawberry skulls but I think they look better just in black.
You can check out lots of other Día de los Muertos party ideas HERE. How are you celebrating El Día de los Muertos?
Check out more ideas for Day of the Dead celebrations on my Pinterest board below.
Paula studied architecture and now makes a living as a freelance writer,traveler and amateur photographer.She started her writing & publishing career as the editor of Bebé y Mamá, the first parenting magazine in Guatemala.She is the founder of www.GrowingUpBilingual.com and www.365thingsswfl.com and writes articles in Spanish and English for both magazines and the web on travel,food and bicultural and bilingual parenting .
When she is not on a plane or road trip she likes to create recipes inspired in the flavors of her native Guatemala.
- How to Photograph Semana Santa in Guatemala: Tips for the Best Photos of Holy Week in Antigua - April 12, 2025
- Holy Week Sawdust Carpets : Everything You Need to Know About the Alfombras in Antigua Guatemala - April 11, 2025
- Holy Week in Antigua Guatemala 2025: Best Tips and Must-See Hidden Gems from a Local - April 11, 2025
Those look amazing. My daughter would love making those. Thank you so much for the idea.
I love Day of The Dead and sugar skulls.I have never thought of making them from strawberries.This is such a creative idea!thanks for such a great review!LOVE IT!!!!
love these bet you could do all kinds of wonderful creations
They look amazing I wish I was able to draw things so well – mind you I wouldn’t want to eat them they look so nice. x
I have never heard of candy markers, I am heading to Michaels tomorrow and will check these out. Funny in there all the time but never really make it to the baking area because I am not good at baking. Chocolate strawberries though I could do.
I would really like to use these ideas to make family desserts special. Thanks for sharing such a cute and creative idea.
Very artistic and fun to do for the food during Halloween, I’m sure you’ve got an awed with your guest when they sees your art.
Preciosa, you know Dia de los Muertos isn’t a Cuban thing- but eating chocolate is!! Don’t know how you contained yourself from eating todo, but I’m glad you did- they look amazing!!! BB2U
You are very creative, the look great!
Bellezas super sencillos pero maravillosa idea!
What a cute and creative idea. They look great. I love dipping strawberries in chocolate, but never thought about drawing on them.
Great idea! I will keep this in mind for the next holiday gathering.
Qué belleza, te quedaron preciosas! Yo quiero comer una de esas fresas.
Sensasionles. Felicidades por ser tan creativa. Todos tus post de Día de los muertos me han encantado.
Buen fin de semana.
Genial! Bellisimas que te quedaron y esos colores expectaculares!
Que preciosas quedaron y se ven tan apetitosas, muero por el chocolate blanco. Gracias!
Que preciosidades y que fotos tan bellas Paula, te felicito !
OMG me encantaron!! que buena idea!! en este momento estoy guardando este link para añadirlo a mi lista de cosas lindas de día de muertos para el año que viene.