Pan De Muertos or All Souls Bread
Celebrate the richness of Mexican traditions with Pan de Muertos, or All Souls Bread, a tender and fragrant sweet bread made in honor of Día de los Muertos. This iconic recipe combines the comforting flavors of warm milk, orange zest, and a hint of optional orange blossom water to create a soft, buttery loaf with a citrusy aroma. The dough is artfully shaped with "bone" decorations on top, symbolizing the holiday's connection to remembrance and family heritage. Brushed with melted butter and dusted with sugar, this bread boasts a golden crust and a subtly sweet finish. Perfect for sharing, it pairs beautifully with a steaming mug of Mexican hot chocolate. Whether you're honoring loved ones or exploring new culinary traditions, this delectable bread is a must-try this season! Keywords: Pan de Muertos recipe, All Souls Bread, Día de los Muertos bread, sweet bread with orange zest.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 4 cups All-purpose flour
- 0.5 cup Granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 2.25 teaspoons Active dry yeast
- 0.5 cup Warm milk
- 0.5 cup Butter (softened)
- 4 large Eggs
- 1 tablespoon Orange zest
- 1 teaspoon Orange blossom water (optional)
- 0.25 cup Warm water
- 0.25 cup Granulated sugar (for decoration)
- 2 tablespoons Melted butter (for brushing)
Instructions
In a small bowl, dissolve the active dry yeast in warm water and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, and salt.
Add the yeast mixture, warm milk, softened butter, eggs, orange zest, and orange blossom water (if using) to the dry ingredients.
Knead the dough by hand or with a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook for about 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. If the dough is sticky, add a little more flour (1 tablespoon at a time).
Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1.5 hours, or until it doubles in size.
Once the dough has risen, punch it down and reserve a small portion (about a handful) to create decorative bone shapes.
Shape the remaining dough into a round loaf and place it on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
With the reserved dough, roll thin strips and form 'bone' shapes to decorate the top of the loaf. Attach them by gently pressing them into the loaf.
Cover the shaped dough with a towel and let it rise again for about 30-40 minutes until slightly puffy.
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
Bake the bread for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
Remove the bread from the oven and brush it with melted butter while still warm. Sprinkle granulated sugar generously over the top for a sweet finish.
Let the bread cool slightly before serving. Enjoy with a hot drink like Mexican hot chocolate!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3801 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 145.9 g | 187% | |
| Saturated Fat | 83.9 g | 420% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 1075 mg | 358% | |
| Sodium | 3385 mg | 147% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 538.2 g | 196% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 16.0 g | 57% | |
| Total Sugars | 167.5 g | ||
| Protein | 82.9 g | 166% | |
| Vitamin D | 7.6 mcg | 38% | |
| Calcium | 374 mg | 29% | |
| Iron | 26.4 mg | 147% | |
| Potassium | 1180 mg | 25% | |
*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.
