Pan de Muerto (Day of the Dead Bread)
User Reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Excellent
-
Prep Time
20 mins
-
Cook Time
20 mins
-
Additional Time
2 hrs 30 mins
-
Total Time
3 hrs 25 mins
-
Servings
16 servings
-
Calories
305 kcal
-
Course
Snacks, Baked Goods
-
Cuisine
Mexican
Pan de Muerto (Day of the Dead Bread)
Report
Pan de Muerto or Day of the Dead Bread is a light and tender sweet Mexican bread flavored with anise seeds and orange zest. This Pan de Muerto recipe makes one very large loaf. You can make 2 medium loaves or 8 smaller loaves.
Share:
Ingredients
Loaf
- 4 ounces butter at room temperature
- 3/4 cup white sugar
- 1 tablespoon whole anise seeds
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 6 cups all-purpose flour
- 4 large eggs at room temperature
- 1 1/4 cups warm water not to exceed 110 F
- 2 tablespoons orange zest
- 2 1/4-ounce packets instant dry yeast
Glaze
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup orange juice
Instead of Glaze Sprinkle with Sugar
- melted butter
- Sparkling sugar, granulated sugar or colored sanding sugar
Add to Shopping List
Instructions
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook, combine the butter, sugar, anise seed, salt, and 1/2 cup of the flour. Mix until the ingredients begin to come together.
- In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, the warm water, and orange zest.
- Add the egg mixture to the butter-sugar mixture in the stand mixer bowl, along with another 1/2 cup of the flour. Mix until combined.
- Add the yeast and another 1/2 cup of flour, mixing to combine.
- Add the remaining flour - 1 cup at a time, mixing between additions, until a dough forms.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead it for 1 minute.
- FIRST RISE: Lightly grease a large bowl with oil. Place the dough in the bowl, turning it to coat all sides in the oil. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel. Allow the dough to rise on the counter for 1 hour and 30 minutes (make sure is a warm area in your kitchen).
- When the dough is ready, separate about ¼ of the dough to shape the “bones” that go on top of the loaf. Divide this 1 piece into 5 pieces.
- Roll the remaining large piece of dough gently into a round. Transfer to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Using your thumb, gently make a deep indentation into the top-center of the bread’s surface.
- Roll 1 of the 5 dough pieces into a small ball and place it inside the indentation. To help the dough adhere together, you can brush a little bit of water on the surface of the dough.
- Take the remaining 4 pieces of dough and roll each one into logs, making both ends thicker than the middle part. We are trying to make these pieces look like bones. It doesn’t have to be perfect but you get the idea!
- Position the bone shapes on the top of the loaf and press gently so they adhere. You can also brush a bit of water to make the dough stick.
- SECOND RISE: Cover the dough loosely with a kitchen towel and allow the dough to rise for an additional hour.
- Towards the end of the rise time, preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Bake the bread for about 35 to 40 minutes. The loaf should reach an internal temperature of 190 degrees Fahrenheit.
- While the bread bakes, make the glaze. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the sugar and orange juice. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally until the sugar dissolves. Remove from the heat.
- Remove the bread from the oven and while the loaf is still warm, brush with the glaze. You can sprinkle with sparkling sugar if you wish.
Notes
- This recipe makes a very large Pan de Muerto loaf. You can make 2 loaves or 8 smaller loaves.
- Instead of glazing the bread, you can brush the pan de muerto with melted butter and sprinkle it generously with sugar.
Nutrition Information
Show Details
Calories
305kcal
(15%)
Carbohydrates
53g
(18%)
Protein
6g
(12%)
Fat
7g
(11%)
Saturated Fat
4g
(20%)
Cholesterol
56mg
(19%)
Sodium
214mg
(9%)
Potassium
94mg
(3%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
17g
(34%)
Vitamin A
263IU
(5%)
Vitamin C
7mg
(8%)
Calcium
20mg
(2%)
Iron
3mg
(17%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 16servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 305 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 305kcal | 15% |
| Carbohydrates | 53g | 18% |
| Protein | 6g | 12% |
| Fat | 7g | 11% |
| Saturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Cholesterol | 56mg | 19% |
| Sodium | 214mg | 9% |
| Potassium | 94mg | 2% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 17g | 34% |
| Vitamin A | 263IU | 5% |
| Vitamin C | 7mg | 8% |
| Calcium | 20mg | 2% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Genuine Reviews
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5.0
3 reviews
Excellent
Other Recipes
You'll Also Love
