Sugar Shapes are a fun and easy way to spruce up any tabletop presentation. Whether you are preparing a holiday dinner, a family brunch, or a simple coffee and dessert get-together, these sweet little extras add a lot pizazz with very little effort.

$$ SAVING TIP: Making them yourself only costs a cup or two of sugar vs. packaged sugar cubes priced at $6.99 for a half pound box. BONUS: No loose sugar from a spilled sugar bowl to clean up or refill during the party. 

UPDATE to this article: Watch my video on How To Make Sugar Shapes, A Simple & Fun DIY Project where you will see just how EASY this is to do!!

How To Make Sugar Shapes:

1. Dig out your candy molds or see idea ad below

2. Line a large cookie sheet AND parchment or wax paper

3. Mix 1 Teaspoon water per 1 cup of sugar using a fork to work the water through all the granules (TIP: Avoid the temptation to add more water - the sugar will crystallize and dry a cloudy gray instead of pure white)

4. Using a teaspoon, completely fill the candy mold shapes with the sugar mixture, pressing into each design section with the back of the spoon

5. Run a butter knife across the back of the candy mold tray to level the bottom of the sugar shapes

6. Place a piece of parchment or wax paper over the sugar shapes (sugar side up) and quickly flip the mold over onto the cookie sheet; if you've pressed them into each shape with the spoon (see Step 4), they won't just fall out - gently tap the top of the plastic or twist the mold to pop them out

7. Allow them to dry, uncovered for 24 hours; use a spatula or tong to transfer the hardened shapes to a tray or store them in an airtight container until use (up to a few weeks)

8. Alternative: If you don't have candy molds, try a melon-ball utensil (see the "snow balls" in the picture above). Gently prod the melon-ball hole to help the sugar out of each half circle. TIP: I used the pointed end of a chop stick to coax the shape out.

While this is a simple do-it-yourself task, there is something very inviting about the way these snow-like shapes look on a tray. Have fun using different shapes for different occasions. Also, think about putting the sugar shapes on a tiered stand, one platter can be the shapes, another the sugar substitute packages, etc. TIP: Add a "mini" tong or two to the platter for self-service. Have fun entertaining!