El Pan De Muerto

Celebrate the vibrant traditions of Día de los Muertos with **Pan de Muerto**, a fragrant and tender Mexican sweet bread steeped in cultural significance. This traditional recipe combines the warmth of **orange zest**, the subtle floral aroma of **anise seeds**, and the richness of butter and eggs to create a bread that is as symbolic as it is delicious. Its signature decoration—a round loaf adorned with “bones” and a “skull” made from the dough—honors loved ones with its thoughtful design. Brushed with melted butter and crowned with a sparkling layer of granulated sugar, this festive bread boasts a golden, pillowy texture that’s perfect for sharing. Whether enjoyed as a centerpiece for your altar or served alongside coffee or hot chocolate, Pan de Muerto is a must-bake tribute to tradition and memory.

Nutriscore Rating: 61/100

Prep Time:120 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:150 mins

Servings: 10

Ingredients

• 4 cups All-purpose flour
• 0.5 cup Granulated sugar
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 2.25 teaspoons Active dry yeast
• 0.75 cup Whole milk
• 4 tablespoons Butter
• 3 large Eggs
• 1 tablespoon Orange zest
• 1 teaspoon Orange extract
• 1 teaspoon Anise seeds
• 2 tablespoons Unsalted butter (for glaze)
• 2 tablespoons Granulated sugar (for topping)

Directions

Step 1

In a small saucepan, warm the milk over low heat until it's lukewarm, about 105°F (40°C). Remove from heat, then sprinkle the yeast on top. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 1 cup of the flour, sugar, and salt. Add the frothy yeast mixture and mix to combine.

Step 3

Add the eggs, orange zest, orange extract, and anise seeds to the mixture. Stir until well combined.

Step 4

Melt the butter and let it cool slightly. Gradually add the melted butter to the batter, stirring continuously.

Step 5

Add the remaining flour, 1 cup at a time, and knead the dough until it becomes smooth and elastic (about 8-10 minutes). You can do this by hand or with a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook.

Step 6

Form the dough into a ball and place it in a greased bowl. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours, or until it doubles in size.

Step 7

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 8

Punch down the risen dough and divide it into 3 portions: 1 large portion for the base of the bread, and 2 smaller portions to shape the decorative 'bones' and a round 'skull.'

Step 9

Shape the largest portion into a round loaf and place it on the prepared baking sheet. Roll the smaller portions into long, thin strips and form 'bone' shapes to lay on top of the loaf. Add a small ball of dough at the center to represent the 'skull.'

Step 10

Cover the loaf and let it rise again for 30-45 minutes until slightly puffy.

Step 11

Bake the bread in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped.

Step 12

While the bread is baking, melt 2 tablespoons of butter for the glaze. Brush the warm bread with melted butter and sprinkle generously with granulated sugar.

Step 13

Let the bread cool slightly before serving. Enjoy your freshly baked Pan de Muerto!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1054.2 grams (1054.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3229

Total Fat 95.10g	122%
Saturated Fat 49.20g	246%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.60g
Cholesterol 774mg	258%
Sodium 1770mg	77%
Total Carbohydrate 510.00g	185%
Dietary Fiber 16.30g	58%
Total Sugars 138.50g
Protein 78.50g	157%

Vitamin D 231IU	1154%
Calcium 419mg	32%
Iron 26mg	146%
Potassium 1223mg	26%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 26.7%

Protein: 9.8%

Carbs: 63.6%