Pan de Muerto

This traditional pan de muerto recipe is subtly sweet with an orange-flavored glaze.

Ingredients

  • milk (0.25 cup)
  • butter (0.25 cup)
  • warm water (0.25 cup)
  • all-purpose flour (3 cups)
  • white sugar (0.25 cup)
  • anise seed (2 teaspoons)
  • active dry yeast (1.25 teaspoons)
  • salt (0.5 teaspoon)
  • eggs (2 large)
  • orange zest (1 tablespoon)
  • orange juice (0.25 cup)
  • orange zest (2 teaspoons)
  • white sugar (2 tablespoons)

Instructions

  1. Gather the ingredients.
  2. To make the bread: Heat milk and butter in a medium saucepan over low heat until butter melts. Remove from heat and add warm water. Mixture should be around 110 degrees F (43 degrees C).
  3. Combine 1 cup flour, sugar, anise seed, yeast, and salt in a large bowl. Beat in warm milk mixture, then add eggs and orange zest; beat until well combined. Stir in 1/2 cup flour and continue adding more flour until dough is soft.
  4. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic. Place dough into a lightly greased bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, 1 to 2 hours.
  5. Punch dough down and shape into a large round loaf with a round knob on top. Place dough onto a baking sheet; loosely cover with plastic wrap. Let rise in a warm place until just about doubled in size, about 1 hour.
  6. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, 35 to 45 minutes. Cool slightly before brushing with glaze.
  7. To make the glaze: Combine 1/4 cup sugar, orange juice, and orange zest in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat and boil for 2 minutes.
  8. Brush glaze over the top of warm bread. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons sugar.

Nutrition

(*Nutrition data is approximate and may vary depending on the brand and type of ingredients used.)

  • kcal: 208
  • fat: 5 g
  • sats: 3 g
  • carbs: 36 g
  • fibre: 1 g
  • protein: 5 g
  • salt: 0.134 g