Bugsnax: Strabby

An expedition, 13 strong, of Grumpuses who will set off
Seeking out a better life, on Snaktooth island they did find
The tasty quest to fill the hole that many feel inside their soul.
Venture deep to reach the truth, and maybe you’ll learn something too! *

This recipe is our first step in bringing Bugsnax to reality! Every little creature has adorable googly eyes, but we don’t want to be slapping plastic eyes on our food. I actually came up with a delicious recipe for these eyes, then promptly lost it. But after three attempts, I’m back with a few helpful tips for successful candy eyes. First, be mindful not to add too much meringue powder or you’ll have consistency and taste issues. Second, don’t over-beat after mixing. You should end up with a thick, sticky paste, but overwork the recipe and you’ll have stiff peaks that are too thick. Third, this recipe makes a whole lot of eyes (250 – 400) but they can be stored in an airtight container for a long time. My first successful batch is still good a month later, so you’ll be able to put eyes on all your meals for weeks to come!

2 cups confectioners’ sugar
2 tsp meringue powder
¼ tsp salt
¼ cup cold water
1 tbsp corn syrup
½ tsp vanilla extract
black food dye

Place the confectioners’ sugar, meringue powder, and salt in a large bowl. Add the water, corn syrup, and vanilla extract. Whip together, about 5 to 8 minutes, until it reaches the consistency pictured above.

Setup two baking trays with parchment paper. Prepare a piping bag with a round tip (I used size 6). Transfer ¾ths of the meringue mixture, it will be sticky and will cling to the sides of the bag. Carefully push the mixture towards the piping tip and make small dots for the eye base. Make several sizes to fit different Bugsnax. Repeat until you are out of the white meringue.

Add black food dye to the remaining meringue mixture and mix until it is blended in. Prepare a piping bag with a round tip (I used size 3). Transfer the remaining meringue mixture and push the mixture towards the piping tip. Carefully pipe a pupil on top of each of the eyes. Repeat until you are out of the black meringue.

Leave the eyes, uncovered out at room temperature for 12 to 24 hours until it hardens. Once hard, transfer to an airtight container.

Print Recipe

Bugsnax Googly Eyes

Ingredients

• 2 cups confectioners’ sugar
• 2 tsp meringue powder
• ¼ tsp salt
• ¼ cup cold water
• 1 tbsp corn syrup
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• black food dye

Instructions

• Place the confectioners’ sugar, meringue powder, and salt in a large bowl. Add the water, corn syrup, and vanilla extract. Whip together, about 5 to 8 minutes, until it reaches the consistency pictured above.
• Setup two baking trays with parchment paper. Prepare a piping bag with a round tip (I used size 6). Transfer ¾ths of the meringue mixture, it will be sticky and will cling to the sides of the bag. Carefully push the mixture towards the piping tip and make small dots for the eye base. Make several sizes to fit different Bugsnax. Repeat until you are out of the white meringue.
• Add black food dye to the remaining meringue mixture and mix until it is blended in. Prepare a piping bag with a round tip (I used size 3). Transfer the remaining meringue mixture and push the mixture towards the piping tip. Carefully pipe a pupil on top of each of the eyes. Repeat until you are out of the black meringue.
• Leave the eyes, uncovered out at room temperature for 12 to 24 hours until it hardens. Once hard, transfer to an airtight container.

* Lyrics from “It’s Bugsnax!” by Kero Kero Bonito