Pan de Muerto Recipe for Families (2024)

We have landed in Mexico for the month of October! Our trip around the world is nearing an end, it is hard to believe. Exploring the food and culture of Mexico was pretty easy for us. We love Mexican food. In fact, you will find our recipe for crock pot beef tacos right here. This month presented us with a great opportunity to not only look at the typical Mexican food we enjoy, but to find out more about Halloween in Mexico.

When you think of Mexico at Halloween time you probably think of dia de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead. This holiday takes place between October 30th and November 2nd. Dia de los Muertos is an opportunity for families to gather, remember and commemorate those who have passed away. The festivities include making gifts and enjoying the deceased persons favourite foods. Really, it sounds like a family reunion where you chat, laugh, reminisce and celebrate family members who have died.

Aside from the enjoying the favourite foods of those who have died, it is also tradition to make pan de muertos, bread of the dead. We have never made a yeast bread before. We’ve made many different types of loaves and quick breads…this seemed like the perfect opportunity to try out a yeast bread. We searched out a recipe and got to work.

Pan de Muertos

1/4 cup butter

1/4 cup milk

1/4 cup warm milk

3 cups all purpose flour

1 1/4 tsp active dry yeast

1/2 tsp salt

2 tsp anise seed

1/4 cup white sugar

2 eggs, beaten

2 tsp orange zest

1/4 cup white sugar

1/4 cup orange juice

1 tbsp orange zest

2 tbsp white sugar

1. In a small saucepan, heat milk and butter over medium heat.

2. Remove from heat once the butter has melted, add the warm water…the mixture should be about 110F.

3. In a large bowl combine 1/2 cup flour, yeast, salt, anise seed, 1/4 cup sugar.

4. Add wet ingredients to dry.

5. Once combined, add beaten eggs and orange zest.

6. Add 1/2 cup of flour and continue adding flour until dough has formed and is soft.

7. Place dough on lightly floured surface and knead until smooth.

8. Lightly grease a large bowl with olive oil, place the ball of dough inside greased bowl…cover with plastic wrap and place in a warm, dry spot until dough has doubled in size…about 1 hour.

9. After 1 hour, punch down ball of dough and place ball on a parchment lined baking sheet.

10. Cut away a few pieces that can be shaped into bones and place on top of ball of dough.

11. Once decorated, cover with plastic wrap and allow to rise again for another hour.

12. After the second rise, remove the plastic wrap and place in a 350F oven for about 35-45 minutes…until golden brown.

13. To make glaze; combine orange juice, 1/4 sugar and zest in a small sauce pan…bring to boil…brush over top of the still warm bread…sprinkle with 2 tbsp sugar.