Description
A sweet and citrusy Halloween Pan de Muertos, perfect for Día de los Muertos and spooky fall parties. This Mexican Day of the Dead bread offers a delightful blend of tradition and seasonal charm.
Ingredients
Scale
- ¼ cup milk
- ¼ cup butter
- ¼ cup warm water (110°F/45°C)
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup white sugar
- 2 teaspoons anise seed (or ½ tsp anise extract)
- 1¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- For the Glaze:
- ¼ cup white sugar
- ¼ cup orange juice
- 2 teaspoons orange zest
- 2 tablespoons white sugar (for sprinkling)
Instructions
- Heat milk and butter in a saucepan over low heat until melted. Remove from heat, add warm water, and ensure it reaches 110°F.
- In a large bowl, mix 1 cup flour, sugar, anise, yeast, and salt. Stir in the warm milk mixture, then eggs and orange zest. Beat until smooth.
- Gradually add remaining flour until a soft dough forms. Knead on a floured surface for 8–10 minutes until elastic and smooth.
- Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1–2 hours.
- Punch down the dough and shape into a large round loaf. Pinch off small dough pieces to form crossbones and a top knob, placing them on the loaf.
- Cover the shaped bread and let it rise again for 1 hour.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake for 35–45 minutes, until golden brown and hollow-sounding when tapped.
- While the bread bakes, prepare the glaze: In a small pan, bring orange juice, zest, and ¼ cup sugar to a boil for 2 minutes.
- Brush the glaze over the warm bread immediately after baking. Sprinkle with the remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar or Halloween sprinkles.
Notes
- Use fresh zest for maximum citrus flavor.
- For a softer crust, wrap the bread in a clean towel after glazing.
- Swap the glaze for maple syrup if serving with other fall-themed baked goods.
- Consider using colored Halloween sugar for a festive appearance.
- Store unglazed bread for freezing.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Bread, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 270
- Sugar: 11g
- Sodium: 230mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 43g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Keywords: Halloween Pan de Muertos, Pan de Muerto recipe, Día de los Muertos bread, Mexican Halloween bread, Day of the Dead bread