Experience the soft, fragrant sweetness of Pan de Muerto, a traditional Mexican bread enriched with orange zest and anise, baked to honor loved ones during Día de los Muertos—ready in about 4 hours including rising time.
Pan de Muerto
Description
Pan de Muerto is a beloved bread traditionally made for Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), a Mexican holiday celebrating and honoring departed loved ones. This slightly sweet, enriched bread is flavored with orange zest and a hint of anise, then topped with sugar and shaped with symbolic bone-like decorations. Baked to a golden hue, Pan de Muerto is both a comforting food and a meaningful ritual centerpiece, often enjoyed with hot chocolate or coffee during early November celebrations.
Ingredients
Instructions
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Warm the milk, butter, and sugar in a small saucepan over low heat until the butter is melted. Let it cool to lukewarm.
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In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm water and let it sit for about 5–10 minutes until foamy.
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In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Add in the milk mixture, eggs, yeast mixture, orange zest, and anise. Mix until a sticky dough forms.
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Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for about 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Add more flour as needed to prevent sticking.
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Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until doubled in size.
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Punch down the dough and divide it: form most of the dough into a round loaf, and use remaining portions to create “bone” shapes to place on top of the loaf in a criss-cross pattern. Let rise again for 45 minutes to 1 hour.
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Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the bread for 30–35 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
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Remove from the oven and brush with melted butter while still warm. Sprinkle generously with sugar.
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Allow the bread to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy your Pan de Muerto with a warm drink and honor the memories of loved ones in true Mexican tradition.
Keywords: Pan de Muerto, Mexican sweet bread, Day of the Dead bread, Día de los Muertos, traditional Mexican baking
