Falloween Traditions: Dia de los Muertos

It's that time of year again, the time we (okay, me) loves so well!  Ghosts, goblins, turkeys, candy, pumpkins, state fair, more candy, basketball season, zombie fingers...all great things.  So this weekend I am getting a wedding cake ready for a dear friend of mine.  In the fine tradition of non-traditional cakes, this one has a Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) theme.

Now I'm finding not many people are familiar with this or with the tradition of candy skulls so thought I'd do a little investigative journaling and here, in brief, is a little 411 for you.

Dia de los Muertos is a Mexican celebration that has become something of a national holiday (in Mexico).  It's celebrated on November 1-2, dates based on the Catholic holidays of All Saints Day (Nov 1) and All Souls Day (Nov 2).  These days are celebrated in many countries around the world as a time of prayers and remembrance of family and friends who have passed.  Food and beverage and gifts are left or shared in burial grounds and graveyards to celebrate the lives of those no longer with us.  They aren't sad occasions but rather a time of joy and festivity and sweet edible skulls.  The more traditional skulls are made of sugar and decorated with icing in bright festive colors, but you can find many people (like me) who make them out of white chocolate too.  Mmmm.