Best 3 Pan De Muerto Mexican Bread Of The Dead Recipes

facebook share image   twitter share image   pinterest share image   E-Mail share image

Pan de Muerto, the traditional Mexican bread of the dead, is a sweet and savory yeast bread typically prepared during the Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebrations. This iconic bread is believed to guide the spirits of the deceased back to their families and is often adorned with intricate designs representing bones, skulls, and other symbols of mortality. This comprehensive guide provides a collection of authentic Pan de Muerto recipes that capture the essence of this unique and deeply symbolic bread.

From the classic Pan de Muerto recipe that showcases the traditional flavors and textures to variations featuring different types of dough, fillings, and decorations, this article offers a wide range of options for home bakers of all skill levels. Whether you prefer a simple yet delicious bread or one adorned with elaborate designs, you'll find a recipe that suits your taste and expertise. With step-by-step instructions, helpful tips, and stunning photographs, this guide ensures that you can create beautiful and flavorful Pan de Muerto that will be the centerpiece of your Día de los Muertos celebration.

Let's cook with our recipes!

PAN DE MUERTOS (MEXICAN BREAD OF THE DEAD)



Pan de Muertos (Mexican Bread of the Dead) image

This is a version of the bread that is made for the November 2 celebration known as the Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) in Mexico. You can also mold the bread into different shapes like angels and animals.

Provided by Althea

Categories     Breakfast and Brunch     Breakfast Bread Recipes

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 14

¼ cup margarine
¼ cup milk
¼ cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
½ teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons anise seed
¼ cup white sugar
2 eggs, beaten
2 teaspoons orange zest
¼ cup white sugar
¼ cup orange juice
1 tablespoon orange zest
2 tablespoons white sugar

Steps:

  • Heat the milk and the butter together in a medium saucepan, until the butter melts. Remove from the heat and add them warm water. The mixture should be around 110 degrees F (43 degrees C).
  • In a large bowl combine 1 cup of the flour, yeast, salt, anise seed and 1/4 cup of the sugar. Beat in the warm milk mixture then add the eggs and orange zest and beat until well combined. Stir in 1/2 cup of flour and continue adding more flour until the dough is soft.
  • Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic.
  • Place the dough into a lightly greased bowl cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size. This will take about 1 to 2 hours. Punch the dough down and shape it into a large round loaf with a round knob on top. Place dough onto a baking sheet, loosely cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until just about doubled in size.
  • Bake in a preheated 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) oven for about 35 to 45 minutes. Remove from oven let cool slightly then brush with glaze.
  • To make glaze: In a small saucepan combine the 1/4 cup sugar, orange juice and orange zest. Bring to a boil over medium heat and boil for 2 minutes. Brush over top of bread while still warm. Sprinkle glazed bread with white sugar.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 207.5 calories, Carbohydrate 35.7 g, Cholesterol 31.4 mg, Fat 5.1 g, Fiber 1.1 g, Protein 4.8 g, SaturatedFat 1 g, Sodium 155.6 mg, Sugar 11.3 g

PAN DE MUERTO (MEXICAN BREAD OF THE DEAD)



Pan De Muerto (Mexican Bread of the Dead) image

This recipe is from "The Rustic Table" by Constance Snow. This is my favorite Pan de Muerto recipe because of the nice orangey flavor.

Provided by Queen Dana

Categories     Breads

Time 6h35m

Yield 2 loaves

Number Of Ingredients 17

1/2 cup warm water
2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
4 1/2 cups bread flour
1 tablespoon anise seed, crushed
1 orange, zest of, grated
5 large eggs
1 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled to lukewarm
butter, for greasing pans
3 tablespoons orange liqueur
1/3 cup sugar
2 teaspoons salt
2 cups powdered sugar
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
2 tablespoons orange juice (fresh)
1 tablespoon lemon juice (fresh)
1 teaspoon grated orange zest
yellow or orange colored crystal sugar, crystals or candy sprinkles

Steps:

  • For the Bread:.
  • Pour warm water into a 1 quart bowl and sprinkle yeast over water. Set aside in a warm place that is free of draft until bubbly, about 5 minutes.
  • Stir 1 cup of flour to make a sponge. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and set aside until the sponge doubles in volume, about 1 hour.
  • Scrape the sponge into the bowl of an electric mixer. Beat in anise seeds, orange zest, butter, orange liqueur, sugar, salt, eggs and 2 cups of flour. Beat the batter on medium speed for about 5 minutes. Reduce the speed to low and add, one 1/4 cup at a time, the remaining 1 1/2 cups of flour until it forms a very soft dough that cleans the side of the bowl.
  • Knead with hook for 4 minutes (dough will be smooth and very soft, but it should not be sticky, if needed add more flour by the tablespoon to preventing sticking). Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a cloth and set aside to rise in a warm place free of draft until doubled in volume, about 1 1/2 hour.
  • Grease 2 8-inches round cake pans. Gently deflate dough and divide in half, (dough will be very soft). Carefully transfer each half to a greased cake pan, turning the edges under to smooth the top as best you can. Cover the pans loosely with plastic wrap, then with damp cloths and let stand in a warm place until dough rises to the top of pan, about 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
  • Preheat oven to 350°F.
  • Bake bread until hollow when thumped, about 35 to 40 minutes. Immediately remove the loaves from pans and place them on a wire rack to cool completely.
  • For Glaze:.
  • Stir everything together until smooth, add more orange juice if necessary to reach spread consistency.
  • Spread glaze over cooled loaves and sprinkle with toppings.

PAN DE MUERTOS-BREAD OF THE DEAD



Pan De Muertos-Bread of the Dead image

Bread traditionally made for Dia de Los Muertos,or in my family ,on my birthday,which just so happens to be on the same day.My mom's made this for me every year since I was about 15;it originally came from a Mexican cookbook(don't remember the title)This bread is sweet and egg-y;btw it makes excellent French Toast the next day.

Provided by strangelittlebeast

Categories     Yeast Breads

Time 2h35m

Yield 2 loaves, 12 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 cup milk
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 tablespoon orange zest, finely grated
1 teaspoon anise seed
1 tablespoon active dry yeast (1 envelope)
1/4 cup plus 1 teaspoon warm water
2 eggs
3 egg yolks
5 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

Steps:

  • Combine butter,1/2 cup sugar,salt,orange zest,and anise in a bowl,crushing the anise seeds with your fingers.Heat the milk in a small saucepan to 180 degrees(f) or just to the boiling point.Pour over the butter and spice mixture.Let cool .
  • Stir in yeast and a small pinch of sugar into 1/4 cup warm water.Let it sit until the yeast is dissolved and frothy.
  • Beat the eggs and egg yolks together.Measure out 2 tablespoons into a bowl;to the 2 tablespoons of egg add 1 teaspoon water,and set in fridge.
  • Add the remaining egg to the yeast mixture.Mix yeast mixture with milk mixture.Stir in enough flour to form a stiff dough-this may be all 5 1/2 cups or slightly less.
  • Turn dough onto a lightly floured board and knead for 10 minutes.dough should be shiny and elastic.Add more flour if the dough is too sticky to knead easily.
  • Turn the dough into a greased bowl,turning the dough so all sides are slightly greased;cover with a cloth,and let rise until doubled in volume,about 1 hour.
  • Punch down the dough,and let the dough rest while you grease 2 baking sheets.divide the dough into 2 parts.Shape each half into rounds,using 1/3 cup of dough from each round to form a skull or crossbones to decorate the bread.
  • Set the loaves on the baking sheets and let rise until doubled again,about 45 minutes;meanwhile preheat oven to 360 f.
  • Before baking brush each loaf with the egg glaze you set aside earlier and sprinkle with the remaining2 tablespoons of sugar.Bake 30 -35 minutes or until lightly browned and it sounds hollow if tapped on the bottom.
  • Let cool completely before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 348, Fat 10.8, SaturatedFat 6, Cholesterol 95.7, Sodium 383.3, Carbohydrate 53.5, Fiber 1.7, Sugar 8.5, Protein 8.5

Tips:

  • Use high-quality butter. The butter adds richness and flavor to the bread, so it's important to use a good quality butter.
  • Don't over-mix the dough. Over-mixing the dough will make the bread tough. Mix the dough just until it comes together.
  • Let the dough rise in a warm place. The dough should rise in a warm place so that it can double in size.
  • Bake the bread until it is golden brown. The bread is done baking when it is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  • Let the bread cool completely before serving. The bread will continue to cook as it cools, so it's important to let it cool completely before serving.

Conclusion:

Pan de Muerto is a delicious and traditional Mexican bread that is perfect for Day of the Dead celebrations. It is a sweet and soft bread that is often decorated with sugar and sesame seeds. This bread is a great way to honor the dead and celebrate the holiday.

Related Topics