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Mexican Day Of The Dead Bread (pan De Muertos)
 
recipe image
Prep Time: 0 Minutes
Cook Time: 122 Minutes
Ready In: 122 Minutes
Servings: 4
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. It is a sweetened soft bread shaped like a bun, often decorated with bone-like pieces. Read more . Pan de muertos is eaten on Día de los Muertos, at the gravesite or altar of the deceased.
Ingredients:
1/4 cup margarine
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup warm water (110 degrees f/45 degrees c)
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 package yeast, follow directions on package to prepare
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons anise seed
1/2 teaspoon mexican vanilla
1/4 cup white sugar
2 eggs, beaten
2 teaspoons orange zest
1/4 cup white sugar
1/4 cup orange juice
1 tablespoon orange zest
2 tablespoons white sugar
Directions:
1. Heat the milk and the butter together in a medium saucepan, until the butter melts. Remove from the heat and add the warm water. The mixture should be around 110 degrees F (43 degrees C).
2. In a large bowl combine 1 cup of the flour, yeast, salt, vanilla, anise seed and 1/4 cup of the sugar. Beat in the warm milk mixture then add the eggs and orange zest and beat until well combined. Stir in 1/2 cup of flour and continue adding more flour until the dough is soft.
3. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic.
4. Place the dough into a lightly greased bowl cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size (I turn my oven light on and set it inside to rise, DONT TURN OVEN ON). This will take about 1 to 2 hours (typically 1-1/2 for me). Punch the dough down and shape it into a large round loaf with a round knob on top (You may shape your bread however you like at this time). Place dough onto a baking sheet, loosely cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until just about doubled in size.
5. Bake in a preheated oven 350 degrees F for about 30 to 40 minutes. Remove from oven let cool slightly then brush with glaze.
6. To make glaze: In a small saucepan combine the 1/4 cup sugar, orange juice and orange zest. Bring to a boil over medium heat and boil for 2 minutes. Brush over top of bread while still warm. Sprinkle glazed bread with white sugar.
By RecipeOfHealth.com