Ingredients

1/4 cup margarine
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup warm water
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons anise seed
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
Pan de Muertos, or Mexican Bread of the Dead, is a traditional yeast bread that is often associated with the Dia de los Muertos holiday celebrated in Mexico and parts of Central and South America. The bread is typically baked into round or oval shapes, with long strips of dough used to create bone-like shapes on top. It is often served alongside other traditional foods during the holiday season, and is a fun and festive addition to any celebration. While the recipe for Pan de Muertos can vary from region to region, it usually includes a combination of flour, sugar, yeast, eggs, and butter or margarine, as well as spices such as anise seed and orange zest.

Instructions

1.Melt the margarine in a saucepan over medium heat, then stir in the milk and warm water. Set aside to cool.
2.In a large bowl, mix together the all-purpose flour, active dry yeast, salt, anise seed, and 1/4 cup sugar. Then stir in the beaten eggs, orange zest, and the cooled margarine mixture.
3.Knead the dough for about 10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Transfer to a greased bowl, cover with a tea towel, and set aside until the dough has doubled in size (this should take around 1 hour).
4.Preheat your oven to 180C/350F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Then take the risen dough and knead it gently again for a few minutes, then shape into rounds and place on the baking sheet.
5.Mix together 2 tablespoons sugar, orange juice, and 1 tablespoon orange zest. Brush the mixture over the tops of the rounds, then place in the oven.
6.Bake for around 25 minutes until golden brown in colour. Remove from the oven and allow the bread to cool.

PROS

This traditional Mexican bread is perfect for celebrating Dia de los Muertos, and has a soft texture with a slightly sweet, buttery flavour.

It’s perfect for sharing with friends and family during the holiday season.

CONS

The bread is quite high in calories and sugar, so should be enjoyed in moderation.

The recipe takes a bit of time to prepare and bake, so it’s not a quick recipe to make if you’re in a rush.

HEALTH & BENEFITS

While the bread isn’t exactly healthy, it does contain anise seed, which can be beneficial for digestion.
The orange zest in the recipe provides a boost of vitamin C, which can help to support your immune system.

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