I have been obsessing about Panoramic Sugar Eggs since I was little.
Also known as Sugar Easter Eggs, Diorama Eggs and Panorama Easter eggs.
I remember receiving them as a child, and seeing them in shops in the small town I grew up in.
They sparkled so beautifully, and had little scenes inside that just stole a child's heart.
They have been on my mind the last year, even whilst sleeping.
So, I finally plunged into the making.
I just finished making this one last night.
I know, my frosting decor is a bit pitiful.
But I hadn't piped frosting as such in years.
A little practice should do the trick with the next few.
I hope :)
They are so sparkly in person, as the sugar glitters like fairy dust.
I have to say, I can not remember making anything in my life which brought me as much pleasure as this sweet sugar egg. That's saying a lot, since I make things for a living, and love making things. And make lots of things that I loooove making, you know, the process of.
I wish I had a little old fashioned shop somewhere, where I made these all day.
For all occasions and events, not just Easter.
They have such a magic goose fairy tale quality to me.
Fun and pretty.
How does one make one of these you ask?
Well, you first need an egg mold.
I found one at our local drugstore, since it's Easter season and the candy aisle has them pre-filled with candy and such.
What I found wasn't an egg mold per se.
It was actually a red plastic egg, filled with superman stickers and lollipops, haha!
But, the seams went around the egg, which is good for making these.
Note that, you can make these in lots of different shapes, with the opening in different places.
To begin, all you need is granulated sugar, and water.
2 teaspoons water per 1 cup of sugar.
I used 3 cups of sugar and 6 teaspoons of water.
Then, mix up your sugar and water until you get a wet sand consistency, and pack it nicely into your egg mold. (pack it good and tight)
I lined a cookie sheet with parchment paper, and immediately turned my mold over onto the sheet.
(flat part facing down)
Once you have your desired amount of eggs made, either let them dry for about 24 hours.
Or, put them in a warm oven (about 120-150'F) for 15 minutes.
Do not let them brown.
(video tutorial at the end of this post)
Once you take them out, do all your carving, before they completely harden.
(the side facing down will be soft enough to carefully carve)
For the base, I wanted something fancy.
I tried packing sugar into teacups, which was cute...
But then I remembered this mini bundt cake mold I had, so I used it.
And it worked out so lovely....
Once I had hardened all the pieces, I set off to make royal icing, for the assembly part.
I used Alton Brown's recipe.
It's amazing.
It is so like sticky glue, incredible.
Holds astoundingly well.
(lots of weird lighting night photos to follow, sorry about that)
Then I chose some trinkets I had, to fill the egg with.
An egg found in the road years ago, mushrooms, moss, fake butterfly.
(don't worry, the egg was slightly cracked, and no bird's nest in sight)
Once I had everything set in place, I put icing around one egg half, and sealed it shut.
Like so...
I then piped frosting all around the seams, a little cover up decor.
I used little flowers and leaves I had on hand for accents.
That's it.
Easy, fun, awesome.
I am so addicted.
I swear, I want to run off and open a sugar egg shop.
I am giddy about the thought.
Like Chocolat, the movie, only sugar eggs instead ;)
Funnest thing I ever made, I tell ya.
And, the sugar eggs last forever if you don't get them wet.
Such a delightful sweet treasure to make and keep.
I'm smitten, must finish my others soon.
Below is a pretty good video tutorial I posted on my sweets blog too.
SO fun!!
Will you give it a try?
I so hope so!
See you soon...
Love, V
