How to Make Cascarones

by Christine, Chapman Branch

​What are cascarones?

Have you ever dyed eggs in the springtime? Growing up, I used to dye eggs each spring, but recently my friend Gracie introduced me to cascarones and I knew I had to try them out because it sounds like so much fun!

What are cascarones? They are a tradition in Mexico and other Latin American countries during Carnival and other festivals and celebrations, including weddings and Halloween. Cascarones are hollowed out and decorated eggshells that are filled with confetti, glitter, flour, or sometimes even small toys or money. Once the cascarones are finished, you try to crack them over your friend or family member’s head. If someone breaks a cascarón over your head you will have good luck!

Cascarones are said to have originated in China where they were filled with perfume, but in the 1800s they began to show up in Mexico where they were filled with confetti.

You will need:

• Raw eggs
• Confetti, glitter, cereal, small toys (to fill the eggs)
• Egg dye or food coloring
• Vinegar
• Tissue paper
• Items to decorate the eggshell:
• Stickers, markers, paint, dye/food coloring

​How to Make Cascarones

1.  Make a small hole in the end of the egg. You can tap the end of the egg and then peel the shell off the end, or carefully cut it with a knife or fingernail, then let the egg inside run out. Or you can make a small hole in one end with a pin and a slightly larger hold in the other end and blow air through the small hole to force the egg out.
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​2.   Rinse out the inside of the eggshell and let it dry.

​3.  Once the eggshells are dry you may dye them with food coloring, or egg dye. One method for doing this is to boil ½ cup of water with 1 teaspoon of vinegar. Pour the water into a small bowl and add 8-10 drops of food coloring. Do this for each color you would like to use. Carefully dip the eggshell into the dye for about 5 minutes. Remove and let the eggshell dry. Or skip the eggshell coloring step altogether and cover the shell with tissue paper, or draw on it (carefully!) with markers. You can also paint the shell, or glue on other small items as decoration.
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4.  Create a small funnel out of paper if you like to help fill the eggshell with confetti, glitter, or cereal. You can also fill the eggshell with money or other small items.
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​5.  Glue a piece of tissue paper to cover the hole in the egg.

6.  Decorate the egg with markers, stickers, tissue paper, glitter, or whatever you like.

Have fun with springtime celebrations with family and friends by sharing your cascarones and cracking them over each others’ heads.

(Special thanks to my friend and co-worker, Gracie, who helped with this post and for demonstrating how to crack them!)