Cascarones: Mexican Style Easter Eggs
Throughout Mexico cascarones are a staple for family gatherings. The fun is derived from breaking the egg over someone’s head and watching the confetti shower. Some people think that the confetti shower brings good luck and good fortune but for children the pleasure is simply breaking the eggs and enjoying the ensuing flutter of colors.
When you think about it, giving kids a non-fattening gift that keeps them active (and out of the adults’ hair) is a better choice. This year I’m making cascarones-Mexican Easter eggs- with all of my grandkids. What a fun and special time! The girls are focused on creating pretty eggs; the boys are into the mess that occurs when the egg is broken and the confetti flies out.Historians have traced the birthplace of the cascarones custom back to China.
In Mexico, people replaced the perfumed powder with confetti and named the egg shells cascarones, which derives from the Spanish word “Cascara” meaning shell. In Mexico cascarones were very popular for about a century but the tradition eventually faded. Only in the late 1960s was there resurgence in popularity as a family tradition. Most people make their own but you can find beautiful hand-crafted, intricately designed eggs that sell for as much as $10 for a single cascarone!
The first photo shows what tools are needed to make cascarones: darning needle, paring knife, thin ribbon (optional) magnet. Push the large needle into the small end of a raw egg. I also pierce the opposite end of the eggs then use the knife to gently make the hole larger. Next, blow out the raw egg from the shell. It helps to be sure to pierce the yolk before blowing to have the insides come out easier. You will be making lots of quiche or scrambled eggs after this project.
Making and giving cascarones is a lovely Mexican custom that is so much fun to do with grandkids. This activity is great for celebrating Easter Sunday with children. Instruct the kids to hide their cascarones and wait for an unsuspecting friend- then break an egg over their head! These versatile decorated confetti eggs are not just for Easter, but can be used on other special days, such as Day of the Dead, birthdays, or even weddings, any time you want to entertain children.