Recipe: All Souls Day Bread – Pan de Muerto
Summary: This Bread / Cake is good any time of year!
Ingredients
- 1 package active dry yeast
- 1/3 cup warm water (110°)
- 1/2 cup butter or margarine
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon orange-blossom water or water
- 1 teaspoon aniseed, crushed
- 1/2 teaspoon finely shredded orange peel
- 2 eggs
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 egg white
- 2 teaspoons water
- Pink sugar or granulated sugar
Instructions
- Soften yeast in the 1/3 cup water; set aside.
- In mixer bowl cream butter, 1/4 cup sugar, and salt.
- Blend in 1/2 cup of the flour, the orange-blossom water, aniseed and orange peel.
- Add eggs and egg yolk; beat 2 minutes at medium speed.
- Blend in yeast mixture and 1 cup of the remaining flour; beat 3 minutes at high speed.
- By hand stir in remaining 1 1/2 cups fiour.
- Cover; refrigerate 4 hours or overnight.
- Turn onto lightly floured surface.
- Remove 1/4 of the dough and set aside.
- Shape remainder into a ball.
- Place on greased baking sheet; flatten to a 6-inch round.
- Divide reserved piece of dough into 4 portions.
- Roll two pieces into two 7-inch ropes to form “crossbones”.
- Combine egg white and 2 teaspoons water.
- Place crossbones in an X atop loaf, attaching with some of egg white mixture.
- Roll one of the remaining portions into a 2-inch ball.
- Make a 2-inch-wide indentation in center of loaf; place ball of dough in depression, attaching with egg white.
- Cut the last piece of dough into 4 portions; shape each into a teardrop and secure onto sides of loaf with egg white.
- Cover and let rise in warm piace 30 to 40 minutes or till nearly double.
- Bake in 325° oven for 35 to 40 minutes or till done.
- Bemove to rack.
- Brush hot loaf with remaining egg white mixture; sprinkle with sugar.
- Repeat brushing and sprinkling after 5 minutes.
- Makes 1 loaf.
Quick notes
About this recipe: The literal translation of Pan de Muerto is “bread of the dead.” Despite its forbidding connotation, the loaf is traditional fare for the November 2nd religious celebration, All Souls Day. On this day, families honor departed relatives by visiting their graves, and this rich, brioche-like bread is served. You can omit the crossbones and teardrops, but don`t miss this bread just because of its name
Number of servings (yield): 12
Meal type: dessert
Culinary tradition: Mexican
