How to Make Faux Sugar Coated Fruit with No Mess

The holiday season is all about twinkle and whimsy! One of the best ways to add a bit of glimmer to your Christmas decorations is to create some sparkly treats. Today, learn how to make faux sugar coated fruit with no mess!

How to Make Faux Sugar Coated Fruit with No Mess

Christmas is just around the corner, and I have an EASY Christmas DIY for you today!

Christmas is my favorite holiday for several reasons:

• First and foremost, it’s the earthly celebration time of the birth of the Messiah, Jesus Christ.
• My birthday is the day BEFORE Christmas. That’s right, I’m a Christmas Eve baby.
• The hub-bub of shopping, even the traffic, excites me for the holiday on the horizon (I know, I’m weird).
• Finally… I LOVE decorating my home for Christmas. The sparkle and glimmer of the tree and all the rest of the living area and kitchen is a feast for the eyes… for mine, my mom, and all my family and friends, too!

What do YOU love most about the Christmas season?

Faux Sugar Coating Faux Fruit – Two Faux One!

Recently, while visiting my local Hobby Lobby, I noticed there was a ‘new’ paint in the acrylic paint aisle.

Well, it was new to me, at least!

It is called “Folkart Sugar Metallic” from Plaid.

While sitting in front of the paint shelves, I Googled “Sugar Metallic Paint”. Ooooo! The finish was so pretty!

I decided right then and there that I was going to use this to create the pretty sugared fruits you see on Pinterest at Christmas time!

Except, we’re going faux… all they way! Faux sugar coating with the paint, and faux fruit you can order from Amazon!

The History of Sugar Coated Fruits

You might have already read a bit about the history of sugared fruits on my pastel Christmas centerpiece post, but I thought it might bear repeating here, as well.

In the 1930s, when the Great Depression hit, life got pretty challenging. Families were tight on money, and buying extravagant gifts was out of the question.

Yet, there was something truly delightful about finding a juicy orange or a handful of walnuts in your Christmas stocking. It felt like a small, special treat that brought so much joy during those tough times.

So, when you deck out your Christmas decorations with sugared fruits, it’s not just about reliving those nostalgic moments; it’s also about adding a sparkling touch to your holiday space!

Easy Faux Sugar Coated Fruits – No Mess and Two Steps

This simple Christmas do-it-yourself project only requires a few supplies!

SIDE NOTE: You can purchase the Sugar Metallic paint and the Terra Cotta paint through Amazon, but they are twice as expensive. That’s why I have Michael’s linked above.

Step One for Painting Faux Sugared Fruits

When my faux fruit arrived, I didn’t even clean the fruit… I just started painting! However, YOU might want to wash them with dish detergent, rinse well, and dry well. Although, I don’t know that it really makes a difference. 😉

• Start off with using a base coat of Terra Cotta paint in your choice of color (Photo 1). I started off using the Mesa Pink, but it was too light, so I switched to the Earthy Rose color (Photos 2 & 3). You can decide whether one or two coats works for your desired finish.
• After you are finished with the base coat color, choose your desired color of Sugar Metallic. I wanted a softer pink color, so I added just a splash of the Earthy Rose paint to the Crystal White Sugar Metallic paint.

Step Two, Add the “Sugar”

• Next, paint the fruit with the Sugar Metallic paint. I liked the effect of painting around the fruit, instead of brushing from top to bottom. (Photo 5 & 6)

• The more coats you add of the Sugar Metallic paint, the more ‘sugared’ effect you get. Two coats were enough for this pomegranate (See photo below).

And that’s it! There’s no mess of using actual sugar, or even Epsom salts. No glue or Mod Podge, either!

It’s SO easy, I’m a little embarrassed to share this tutorial with you… just a little! 😉

If the twinkle of sugar isn’t your style for Christmas decorations, you can opt to use the Terra Cotta paint to create your own trendy terra cotta fruits! My dear friend Michelle, from Thistle Key Lane, has a great tutorial for creating terra cotta fruit.

The Final Product – Faux Sugar Coated Fruits with No Mess

And now, take a look at these sweet ‘morsels’ sparkling under the evening lights.

This pastel Christmas centerpiece with sugared fruits is SUPER easy to put together.

As you see in the supply list located in the middle of this post, there are lots of different faux fruits you can use. Also, there are plenty of colors to choose from in the Sugar Metallic paint colors.

You can even do a sugar metallic coating on faux citrus slices like oranges, lemons, and limes!

And, you can use these faux sugar coated fruits in a plethora of ways… for Christmas, or even Thanksgiving!

• Add these sparkly fruits to different types of wreaths (grapevine, pine, flocked)
• Pile them up in a wooden bowl
• Line three sugared pears along a ledge or counter
• Sprinkle sugared pomegranates or orange slices in a garland on your mantel
• Use them as a substitue for a candle on a pillar holder with DIY candle rings
• Add one as an accent piece on a tray vignette

Become a My Wee Abode Family Member

Are faux sugar coated fruits on your decorating list this season?

Be sure to let me know in the comments below how you will use these sparkling fruits, and let me know if you have any questions, as well.