Mexican Bread of the Dead Recipe | Receta Pan de Muerto

Pan de Muerto, no one can resist this delicious bread. Pan de Muerto is a key element in the Day of the Dead Altar, along with the Chocolate, tamales and many other traditional dishes. In Mexico, Pan de Muerto is usually sold at bakeries and supermarkets since the middle of October.

Pan de Muerto

Few Mexican breads are as closely linked to tradition as the famous Pan de Muerto.

Pan de Muerto (“Bread of the Dead”) is a traditional Mexican sweet bread that is commonly made during Day of the Dead (Día de Muertos). It is very important during this season, and the meaning behind it is as rich as its flavor.

During the Day of the Dead holiday (Oct. 31 – Nov. 2), Mexicans honor their loved ones who have passed away, and leave them offerings (“ofrendas”) at their gravesites or at altars made at home. Although this tradition is originally rooted in the central and southern parts of the country, families now celebrate the holiday all throughout Mexico, and even in other countries, too.

The offerings left for the dead usually consist of what that person enjoyed when they were alive. In addition to the deceased’s favorite food and drink, a loaf of Pan de Muerto is also placed as an offering. So, besides being a delicious sweet bread, what makes Pan de Muerto unique is its special role in this important ceremony. Because of this, pretty much every bakery in Mexico prepares Pan de Muerto during this season, and some even sell it as early as September! Everyone loves to enjoy a thick piece of Pan de Muerto during this time of the year, even if they do not observe Día de Muertos.

Pan de Muerto meaning

A lot of people often ask what the Pan de Muerto represents, and what its shape means. The bread represents an offering made to the departed loved one. While the family members are the ones who eat the Pan de Muerto physically, it is believed that when the spirit returns during the Day of the Dead, it can be nourished by the “essence” of the bread (and any other offerings that have been left for it). As for the shape, there are countless differing stories and explanations, but most will tell you that the pieces forming a cross are meant to symbolize the bones of the dead. On top of the bun is a small ball or nub, which some say is a teardrop, representing the tears shed for the dead. Others say it represents a skull, while still others say it represents the heart.

Indeed, the interpretations for the symbols are many, as are the different ways the bread is decorated. Pan de Muerto can be found covered in white sugar, red sugar, sesame seeds, sprinkles, or simply brushed with an egg wash. The bread comes in different forms, too. Depending on the area, you might find Pan de Muerto shaped like figures of people, animals, or in a crescent moon shape. The ingredients and flavoring of the bread can change, as well, but most of the time it is a yeast-heavy bread flavored with orange and/or anise.

As is the case with other staples of Mexican gastronomy, there are many variations and styles of Pan de Muerto, but for this recipe, we’re going to make the most typical kind.

Let’s start baking!

Today’s Pan de Muerto recipe is from Norma, my blogger friend in México City, author of the blog “La Cocina de Norma”, and a great baker that so generously took the time to explain in detail this recipe in an easy step-by-step process. I am so glad to have her as a guest.

Pan de Muerto Recipe

This sweet bread shaped like a roll and topped with sugar also has some “bone decorations” made out of the same dough representing the bones of the dead. Some people will eat it while visiting the graves of the relatives long gone as well as other food that was their favorite while they were alive. If you want to see more pictures of this celebration check HERE.

This Pan de Muerto recipe makes 16 small rolls or 2 large pieces of bread.

How to make Pan de Muerto

Please see complete Instructions on the print option:

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• Place the 4 eggs, margarine, salt and half of the sugar in the mixer bowl. Using the Hook attachment start working the dough for about 2 minutes. Note: I couldn’t find the hook attachment of my mixer but the hook is better for this type of job. Add the All purpose flour in small amounts alternating with the water. Add the dry active yeast and mix until well combined. (Please check the ingredients list below)

• Continue now by adding one at a time the butter, the orange zest, the rest of the sugar and the orange blossom essence, mixing well.

• Get the dough out of the mixer bowl and place onto work surface; knead until smooth. Knead for a couple more minutes. Transfer dough to bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let stand in a warm place until it doubles in size. You can see the above picture where the dough is already raised.

• Transfer the dough from the bowl onto the working surface, separate 300 grams of the dough to form the decorative bones later on. Cut the rest of the dough in 70grs. pieces or in two equal pieces if making 2 large pieces of bread.

Prepare 2 greased baking sheets, set aside.

Shaping the Pan de Muerto bread

• Take one portion of the dough and place in the palm of your hand, we put our fingers in and add a bit of pressure and shape each piece into a tight ball rolling the dough on the surface. Place on prepared baking sheets 2 inches apart. Press the dough slightly, they should look flat like in the picture.

6. Now place the remaining 300 grams of dough we reserved onto the work surface, dusting with flour if needed, and knead until the flour is integrated perfectly.

Shaping the Pan de Muerto

• We take small portions of dough and roll in small logs putting a little pressure with the fingers to form the bones. Once your bones are already formed. Brush each roll forming a cross on top of each bun with a mix made out of the remaining beaten egg with 1 Tablespoon of water, once we marked the cross with the brush we place the bones as it shows in the above picture, cutting any extra dough.
• And finally, with the leftover dough form small balls, varnish the center of the buns where the bones come together and put the ball there as shown in the picture. Cover baking sheets with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until buns are touching and doubled in size.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

• Add a pinch of salt to our mix of egg and water and brush the buns before placing in the oven. Transfer buns to oven and bake. Transfer to a wire rack and cool to room temperature.

Enjoy your delicious Pan de Muerto – Dead of the Dead Bread with a cup of hot Mexican Chocolate.

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PAN DE MUERTO RECIPE - MEXICAN BREAD OF THE DEAD RECIPE

Pan de Muerto Recipe, a step by step photo tutorial guided by Mexican Baker. You'll love the easy process and the amazing flavors from this bread. Learn about the traditions and history. 

Course: Breads

Cuisine: Mexican

Servings: 16 small rolls or 2 large breads.

Author: Mely Martínez - Mexico in my Kitchen

Ingredients

• 500 grams 4 cups All Purpose flour
• 2 Tablespoons active-dry yeast
• 100 grams sugar 1/2 cup
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 80 grams butter at room temperature + 30 grs. to brush the bread after baking.
• 80 grams unsalted margarine room temperature plus more for bowl and pans.
• 4 large eggs room temperature
• Orange crest from 2 oranges
• 60 ml. warm water about 110 degrees
• 1 teaspoon orange blossom water or orange essence
• 1 large egg lightly beaten to brush the bread
• Sugar to decorate the bread at the end.

Instructions

• Place the 4 eggs, margarine, salt and half of the sugar in the mixer bowl. Using the Hook attachment start working the dough for about 2 minutes. Add the All purpose flour in small amounts alternating with the water. Add the dry active yeast and mix until well combined.
• Continue now by adding one at a time the butter, the orange zest, the rest of the sugar and the orange blossom essence, mixing well after each addition until soft dough forms.
• Get the dough out of the mixer bowl and place onto work surface; knead until smooth, dusting work surface lightly with flour as needed if dough begins to stick. Knead for a couple more minutes. Coat the interior of a large bowl with margarine; transfer dough to bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let stand in a warm place until it doubles in size, about 45 minutes to 1 hour.
• Transfer the dough from the bowl onto working surface, separate 300 grams of the dough to form the decorative bones later on. Cut the rest of the dough in 70grs. pieces or in two equal pieces if making 2 large breads. (Making sure to separate 300 grams of dough to form the decorative bones.). Prepare 2 greased baking sheets, set aside.

Shaping the Pan de Muerto bread

• Take one portion of the dough and place in the palm of your hand, we put our fingers in and add a bit of pressure and shape each piece into a tight ball rolling the dough on the surface. This is called “bolear” in Spanish (if, at first they do not look fine to you, do not worry you will achieve this with practice) Place on prepared baking sheets 2 inches apart. Press the dough slightly.
• Now place the remaining 300 grs of dough we reserved onto the work surface, dusting with flour if needed, and knead until the flour is integrated perfectly (this is for the bones to decorate our breads).
• We take small portions of dough and roll in small logs putting a little pressure with the fingers to form the bones. Once your bones are already formed (we need 2 for each bread). Brush each roll forming a cross on top of each bun with a mix made out of the remaining beaten egg with 1 Tablespoon of water, once we marked the cross with the brush we place the bones as it shows in the above picture, cutting any extra dough.
• And finally, with the leftover dough form small balls, varnish the center of the buns where the bones come together and put the ball there as shown in the picture. Cover baking sheets with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until buns are touching and doubled in size, 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Add a pinch of salt to our mix of egg and water and brush the buns before placing in the oven. Transfer buns to oven and bake until golden brown, 15 to 17 minutes, approximately, if making the small buns. If you are making the larger version the baking time will change a little. Remember that every oven is different, (when the bottom of the bread is golden it indicates that they are ready). Transfer to a wire rack and cool to room temperature.
• Once your Pan de Muerto bread has a completely cooled brush with the remaining butter and then dust with sugar.

Notes

Instructions are given to work the dough in the Electric Mixer but it can be done by hand.

Have a great time baking.

By Guest Author: Norma Ruíz: She loves bread making, enjoys confectionary, likes to learn about other cuisines and she is glad to see her family happy when they eat the delicious meals that she prepares for them. In her blog you can find recipes from her own kitchen, her blogger friends, and online cooking forums, from which she learns something delicious every day, I hope that you all enjoy it.
Other Day of the Dead Recipes: Candied Sweet Potatoes, Day of the Dead Bread, Atoles, Tamales and more.