Authentic Pan de Muerto Recipe: Mexican Day of the Dead Bread

Ingredients

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

Instructions

1. Gather all necessary ingredients for making the bread and glaze.
2. For the bread: In a saucepan, gently heat milk and butter until the butter is melted. Remove from heat, add warm water, ensuring the mixture is approximately 110 degrees F (43 degrees C).
3. In a large bowl, mix together 1 cup of flour, sugar, anise seed, yeast, and salt. Incorporate the warm milk mixture, followed by eggs and orange zest. Mix thoroughly until well combined. Gradually add 1/2 cup of flour and continue adding flour until a soft dough forms.
4. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead until it becomes smooth and elastic. Place the kneaded dough in a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and allow it to rise in a warm environment for 1 to 2 hours, or until doubled in size.
5. Punch down the risen dough. Shape it into a large, round loaf with a round knob on top. Place the shaped dough on a baking sheet, cover loosely with plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm location for approximately 1 hour, or until nearly doubled in size.
6. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Bake the bread until it achieves a golden-brown color, typically for 35 to 45 minutes. Allow it to cool slightly before applying the glaze.
7. For the glaze: In a small saucepan, combine 1/4 cup of sugar, orange juice, and orange zest. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, and continue boiling for 2 minutes.
8. Generously brush the glaze over the warm bread and sprinkle evenly with 2 tablespoons of sugar.

Nutrition

• Calories: 208 kcal
• Fat Content: 5 g
• Fiber Content: 1 g
• Sugar Content: 11 g
• Sodium Content: 134 mg
• Protein Content: 5 g
• Cholesterol Content: 42 mg
• Carbohydrate Content: 36 g
• Saturated Fat Content: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat Content: 0 g