Pan de Muertos (Mexican Bread of the Dead) Recipe

Pan de muerto is a traditional Mexican sweet bread commonly made for the Day of the Dead celebrations, held on November 1 and 2. The bread symbolizes the cycle of life and death, with its round shape representing the cycle, and the added dough on top representing the skull, crossbones, and tears shed for the departed. Traditionally flavored with anise seeds and orange zest, this bread is subtly sweet and fragrant.

Here is a step-by-step guide to making your own pan de muerto at home:

Ingredients:

• cup milk
• cup butter
• cup warm water (110F/45C)
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• cup white sugar
• 2 teaspoons anise seed
• 1 teaspoons active dry yeast
• teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 1 tablespoon orange zest

For the glaze:

• cup orange juice
• 2 teaspoons orange zest
• 2 tablespoons white sugar

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Step 1: Begin by gathering all your ingredients. In a medium saucepan, heat the milk and butter over low heat until the butter melts. Remove from heat and stir in the warm water. The mixture should be around 110F (43C).

Step 2: In a large bowl, combine 1 cup of flour, sugar, anise seed, yeast, and salt. Add the warm milk mixture to the dry ingredients and beat in the eggs and orange zest until fully combined.

Step 3: Gradually stir in the remaining flour, about half a cup at a time, until the dough becomes soft and slightly sticky. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead it for 8-10 minutes, until smooth and elastic.

Step 4: Place the kneaded dough into a lightly greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and allow it to rise in a warm spot for 1 to 2 hours, or until it has doubled in size.

Step 5: Once the dough has risen, punch it down gently and shape it into a large round loaf with a round knob of dough on top, symbolizing the skull. Place it on a baking sheet and loosely cover with plastic wrap. Let it rise again in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it's nearly doubled in size.

Step 6: Preheat your oven to 350F (175C). Once the dough has finished rising, bake the loaf in the preheated oven for 35 to 45 minutes, or until it is golden brown.

Step 7: While the bread is baking, prepare the glaze. In a small saucepan, combine the orange juice, orange zest, and sugar. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, and let it simmer for about 2 minutes, allowing it to thicken slightly.

Step 8: Once the bread is baked, allow it to cool for a few minutes. Then, brush the warm bread with the orange glaze, ensuring its fully covered. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of sugar on top for a sweet finish.

Step 9: Let the bread cool slightly before slicing and enjoying. Its perfect for the Day of the Dead celebrations or as a sweet treat for any occasion!

Storage:

Store the pan de muerto in a bread box or under a cake dome at room temperature for up to three days. It stays soft and delicious, making it perfect for sharing with family and friends.

Cooks Note:

If you prefer, you can substitute teaspoon of anise extract for the anise seeds for a more subtle flavor.

Nutrition (per serving):

• Calories: 208
• Fat: 5g
• Carbohydrates: 36g
• Protein: 5g
• Cholesterol: 42mg
• Sodium: 134mg
• Fiber: 1g
• Vitamin C: 4mg
• Calcium: 21mg
• Iron: 2mg
• Potassium: 75mg