Edible Googly Eyes (Three Methods)

Edible Googly Eyes are always a hit on Halloween, birthdays, or any occasion. Every parent must have them in the pantry, and they can get pricy. Here is a great way to manufacture a bunch in three different methods: two with sugar and one with chocolate. Also, the post will provide some techniques to cut the drying time in half and more. Let the kids try to make a few; it’s excellent practice for their fine motor skills!

The Standard Googly Eyes

This technique is simple: it contains confectioner’s sugar, also known as powdered sugar, a bit of water and meringue (or egg white) powder. It’s also called royal icing, which is the most typical way to make them. You don’t need a whole piping bag for these small quantities; use the corner of a small plastic bag. This icing will dry quickly, although you’ll need at least 24 hours at room temperature to get it hard and unbreakable. If you want to speed things up, add it to a dehydrator (3-4 hours) or oven at the lowest temperature, and let the door a tad open until dried completely.

The Corn Starch Version

This method is the same as the one above, but instead of meringue powder, we use cornstarch. Knowing that most parents out there don’t own meringue powder, this alternative goes well if you don’t want to invest in meringue powder. However, the finish may be a tad more challenging to dry correctly and not as rock-hard as the ones above, but it still does the trick!

The Chocolate Eyes

Edible Googly Eyes are fun to make, too, and there is no need for artificial colourant, which I know many parents prefer. The result of the white of the eyes is slightly yellower. Also, being chocolate, they tend to melt quickly, so keep these in the fridge for a better, easier manipulation when the time comes. Making the perfect consistency is more challenging; more patience and attention will be needed for a perfect texture. But on the positive side, you’ll get eyes almost instantly because they harden fast in the fridge, unlike the sugar version.

The Drying

The drying method is extended for the sugar versions; if you are a lucky owner of a dehydrator machine, now it’s time to shine! However, if you are in no hurry, calculate the minimum 24 hours. However, if you make bigger googly eyes version, they might take double to dry up completely. If you want to speed up the process with the sugar versions, add them to the oven at the lowest temperature with the door slightly open. This should suck the humidity out way faster, but again depends on the size of your eyes. The Chocolate version takes no time to set, especially fast if you put them in the refrigerator for 30-60 minutes. You have them instantly!

Storage

You can easily keep the sugar version at room temperature in a pot, although the chocolate ones are better kept in the fridge to prevent them from melting and make them easier to manipulate. They are both pretty much eternal, being made solely of sugar, so you’ll have your Edible Googly Eyes for a long time!