Pan de Muerto, or “Bread of the Dead,” is a traditional Mexican sweet bread often associated with the Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration. This round, decorated bread is rich in symbolism, with bone-shaped decorations representing the deceased. It’s a delicious and meaningful treat to remember and honor loved ones who have passed away.
| Country | Mexico |
| Degree of Difficulty | Medium |
| Type of Food | Dessert |
| Cooking Time | 2 hours |
| Preparation Time | 1.5 hours |
| Serving Size | 1 large loaf |
Ingredients:
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup warm milk
- 1/4 cup warm water
- 2 packets active dry yeast (about 4.5 tsp)
- 4 large eggs
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp anise extract (optional)
- Zest of 1 orange
- 1/2 tsp salt
For the topping:
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- Orange zest for decoration
- Extra sugar for dusting
Instructions:
- In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in the warm water and let it sit for about 5 minutes until it’s foamy.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, warm milk, eggs, softened butter, vanilla extract, anise extract (if using), orange zest, and salt. Mix until it forms a rough dough.
- Pour the yeast mixture into the dough and knead everything together until you have a smooth and elastic dough. This might take about 10 minutes.
- Form the dough into a ball and place it in a lightly greased bowl. Cover it with a kitchen towel and allow it to rise for about 1 hour or until it has doubled in size.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Punch down the risen dough and divide it into two portions. Set a small piece of dough aside for decorations.
- Shape the larger portion of dough into a round loaf, and place it on the prepared baking sheet.
- From the smaller portion, shape bone-shaped pieces and arrange them on top of the loaf.
- In a small bowl, prepare the topping by mixing melted butter, sugar, and flour. It should form a crumbly mixture. Sprinkle this over the loaf and add some orange zest for decoration.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes or until the bread is golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack. Optionally, dust with some extra sugar for added sweetness.
Nutritional Information: (Approximate values per serving)
| Calories | 320 kcal |
| Fat | 11g |
| Protein | 7g |
| Carbohydrates | 48g |
Optional Additions or Substitutions:
- You can add a bit of ground cinnamon or anise seeds to the dough for extra flavor.
- Traditional Pan de Muerto is often flavored with orange blossom water, so you can use that instead of anise extract.
- For a more authentic look, you can use colored sugar to decorate the bread.
Tips or Variations:
- Don’t rush the rising process; allow the dough to double in size to achieve the right texture.
- Experiment with different decorations; Pan de Muerto often features bone shapes on top, but you can get creative with other designs.
- Serve with hot chocolate or atole for a traditional pairing.
Other Countries Where They Also Make This Recipe:
- While the tradition of baking special bread for Day of the Dead is particularly strong in Mexico, variations of sweet bread for honoring the deceased can be found in other Latin American countries as well.
Allergen Checklist:
- This recipe contains milk, eggs, and wheat, so it may not be suitable for those with allergies to these ingredients.
- This recipe contains dairy (butter, milk) and eggs, making it non-vegan but suitable for vegeterians.
