Many people made a living by making and selling sugar paintings as desserts.
这里的as desserts可以理解为状语,翻译成把糖画作为甜点来制作和出售?或者是宾补,把糖画做成甜点,买成甜点?
这里的as desserts只能理解为状语而不是宾补,因为 make表示“制造”的意思和sell后面不能接复合宾语。