Pan de Muertos (Mexican Bread of the Dead)

Description

This is a version of the bread that is made for the November 2 celebration known as the Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) in Mexico. You can also mold the bread into different shapes like angels and animals.

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup margarine
  • ¼ cup milk
  • ¼ cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons anise seed
  • ¼ cup white sugar
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 2 teaspoons orange zest
  • ¼ cup white sugar
  • ¼ cup orange juice
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest
  • 2 tablespoons white sugar

Instructions

  1. Make bread: Heat milk and margarine in a medium saucepan over low heat until margarine melts. Remove from heat and add warm water. Mixture should be around 110 degrees F (43 degrees C).
  2. Combine 1 cup flour
  3. sugar
  4. anise seed
  5. yeast
  6. and salt in a large bowl. Beat in warm milk mixture
  7. 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.
  8. 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
  9. 1 to 2 hours.
  10. 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
  11. about 1 hour.
  12. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  13. Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown
  14. 35 to 45 minutes. Cool slightly before brushing with glaze.
  15. Make glaze: Combine 1/4 cup sugar
  16. orange juice
  17. and orange zest in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat and boil for 2 minutes. Brush glaze over top of warm bread. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons sugar.

Servings: 12

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