I wouldn’t be caught dead without Pan de Muerto during Day of the Dead.
One of the most meaningful, colorful and delicious of Mexican celebrations, Día de Muertos has this bread as one of its trademark treats. It may sound strange to eat fluffy sugared up bread in the shape of bones, but then again, we also eat calaveritas, candies in the shape of skulls. This shows how crucial food is for Mexicans but also how it gets infused with our sarcastic sense of humor, generous spirit and gutsy attitude.
Not that Day of the Dead is such a big occasion here in the United States, but I notice an increased awareness. Teachers are starting to talk about it in schools, sugar skulls and decorations are popping up in stores…It’s becoming trendy. As it happens right on the tail of Halloween, elements from both celebrations seem to cross paths. They both include graveyards and a lot of eating, but they are quite different.
Day of the Dead, which is not one but two days, November 1st and 2nd, is when those departed have a license to come back and visit the ones they’ve left behind. And hey, if they are coming back from another world, it better be a feast worth the trip! Altars are decorated, filled with the visitor’s favorite foods and drinks, candles and flowers placed throughout, to help illuminate for a safe journey back home. There are visits to the cemetery, too, but of a different nature than Halloween: Day of the Dead is a bittersweet, sad and joyous time for gathering, feasting and remembering.
Pan de Muerto, has to be one of the sweetest sides of it, eagerly awaited by all.
Those who have tried it want it, as it is really irresistible. But there are not that many panaderías that make it outside of Mexico.
Well, guess what? Wait no more, you can make your own.
It is simple to do; the only downside is, it takes time. The dough needs to rise…four times, and one of them is overnight in the fridge. So if you want your Pan de Muerto for Friday, start it on Thursday.
First make your starter: a small leavened mix. I make mine by mixing dry yeast (oldest versions of Pan de Muerto use Pulque, a fermented drink) with lukewarm milk, not too hot and not too cold, to make it easy for the yeast to react. Fully dissolve and add a bit of flour, to get the yeast going on stronger. When it puffs up and has bubbled on the surface, about 20 to 30 minutes later, you have your starter.
That’s the first rise.
Then make your dough in the mixer with butter, sugar and eggs. I add orange blossom water, as is traditional in many parts of Mexico and the old fashioned way. It makes it fragrant and light. I also add a bit of orange zest and anise seeds, which perfume it even more. Once mixed, beat in the starter. Cover it and place it in a bowl.
It’s better if you leave it in a warm area of your kitchen where there are no drafts, close to the oven or burners is a good idea, too. Leavened bread likes warmth and moisture, so much so, that I have gotten into the habit of placing a bowl with boiling water right next to the bowl with the dough and then cover it all together (in case you were wondering about the two bowls under the kitchen towel above).
Then leave it to rise.
See how it puffed up in photo above? Almost tripled its volume.
That’s the second rise.
Then punch it back down. Just like that, make some fists and punch it twice.
Cover it with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator so that it will slowly but surely rise again, overnight. While you sleep, that dough will be getting ready for you.
See below?? Look how it rose again!
This time it was even bubblier and a bit stringy.
This is the third rise. Next day, morning sun.
Then as you gather it into a ball, it will deflate in size, but you can see below how the dough has transformed and strands of dough are trying to stick to the bowl.
The dough ends up being shinny, sticky, compact…
Grab two thirds to shape like a ball and place it over a buttered or oiled surface. I like using this pizza stone.
You leave a third of the dough apart, to decorate the ball with a couple of ropes and a ball on top. And then.. you cover it and let it rise again under a towel.
And so it rose, under the towel!
In the oven it goes.
Lastly, when it comes out, it is entirely brushed with melted butter and covered in sugar. Some people add more complex decorations, like colored sugar or make intricate shapes. I like it straightforward with plain granulated white sugar and a round shape.
By mid morning the next day, you will have a Pan de Muerto ready to slice.
So, yes, it takes time, it has to rise many times, but every time it rises again you will feel a huge sense of accomplishment and satisfaction… And as you bake it, maybe you will find like me, that whoever is around in the house will start lurking in the kitchen to eat whatever it is that has such an irresistible aroma.
Maybe you will find, also like me, that it was well worth the wait.
Pan de Muerto
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Ingredients
- 1/2 cup lukewarm whole milk
- 2 packages active dry yeast (1/4 ounce each) or about 4 heaped teaspoons
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour plus 3 1/2 cups for later on
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter at room temp plus more to grease the bowl
- and 2 tablespoons to melt and brush on top
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar plus 1/2 cup for dusting the bread
- 6 large eggs at room temperature
- 2 tablespoons orange blossom water or plain water
- 1 teaspoon anise seeds optional
- 1 teaspoon orange zest optional
- Pinch kosher or coarse sea salt
To Prepare
To make the starter:
- In a small bowl, pour the lukewarm milk - making sure that it is not hot nor cold or the yeast will not react - and stir in the dry yeast granules. Give the yeast a couple minutes to sit in the liquid, and stir with a spatula until it is thoroughly and evenly dissolved. Give it time: stir a little, pressing gently on the yeast that has not yet dissolved with the spatula, give it a bit more time to sit in the milk, stirring again, press again. Once it has completely and evenly dissolved, add ½ cup flour. Mix it combining thoroughly, until it has no lumps. It will be gooey, runny and sticky. Leave it in the warmest area of your kitchen, for about 20 to 30 minutes, until it puffs up (to about doubles or triples its volume) and has bubbled on top. I like to place a sauce pan or cup with boiling hot water right next to it, but it's not necessary.
To make the dough:
- In the bowl of a mixer, over medium low speed, beat the butter until soft. Add the sugar and beat until combined and fluffy. Add one egg at a time. Once eggs are incorporated, add the milk and yeast mixture. Then adding ½ cup at a time, add the rest of the flour (3 ½ cups). Stir in the orange blossom water if using and if not, add plain water. Also add the anise seeds and a pinch of salt. The dough will look wet, runny and sticky, but continue beating anywhere from 7 to 10 minutes, until all the dough comes off the sides of the mixing bowl. It will be elastic and sticky, but it will hold itself together.
- Butter a large mixing bowl that can hold the dough, and will be able to hold it as it doubles or triples its volume. Place the dough in the bowl, cover it with a cloth or clean kitchen towel and leave it in the warmest area of your kitchen, that is draft free, making sure that it is not next to a window or door that gets opened. Leave it to rest and puff up anywhere from 2 to 3 hours, until it doubles its volume at least.
- Punch the dough with your fist, flip it over, cover with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator over night. The next day, remove the plastic wrap, place a cloth or kitchen towel on top and let it to come to room temperature.
- Take off a third of the dough to make the bread decorations: make a 1 to 2-inch ball and use the rest to make 2 ropes. They need not be smooth nor perfect, as the dough is quite sticky, and no need to worry they will look beautiful once the bread is baked (and covered with sugar).
- Butter a baking sheet or a bread or pizza stone, and make a ball with the rest of the dough. Place it in the center of the baking sheet and flatten it a bit on top. Place the dough ropes making a criss-cross -Mexican bakers usually shape the ropes to resemble bones, having thicker and thinner parts- and the ball on the top, right where they cross. Cover the bread with a cloth or kitchen towel, and let it rise and puff up again, for 1 to 2 hours.
- Preheat the oven to 350. Bake the bread for for about 35 minutes. Halfway through baking, after about 20 minutes, cover the loaf with parchment paper or aluminum foil to prevent it from browning too much.
- When they are ready, they sound "huecas", or hollow, if you hit the bottom of the bread.
- Melt the butter and brush all over the bread. Sprinkle sugar all over until completely covered.
Comments
93comments inMake Pan de Muerto at Home!
joya
Oct 27
cooking time 10 hours and 55 mins?!
Pati Jinich
Nov 03
Well, the bread bakes for actually just 35 minutes, but this long time includes many “let the dough rest and rise” times 🙂
Myriam Lagomasino
Oct 27
OMG! Will make over the weekend!
Pati Jinich
Nov 03
Enjoy!
Marina
Dec 11
Hello Pati,
I love everything you share on your show so much, I even have my kids hooked! My youngest wants to make Pan de Muerto and I swear you made it in one of your episodes but I can’t find it anywhere. Am I crazy or is it just not easily found? I would love to watch over again before making this.
Pati Jinich
Jan 08
Hey Marina, I recently made this video of this recipe, hope you’ll like it! https://www.facebook.com/PatiJinich/videos/685470723127871
Inga
Nov 05
Hi, Pati. I’m planning on making this, but I also came across your recipe for pan de muerto on the King Arthur site and that one calls for 16 tablespoons of butter and adding the butter after kneading the dough for about 10 minutes. Which recipe do you prefer? Thanks!
Pati Jinich
Nov 09
To be honest both are yummy if I may say so myself, haha, but the one for King Arthur is updated 🙂
Kristine Bartholdson
Oct 31
I loved making this bread it tastes wonderful
Pati Jinich
Jan 04
Glad you liked it Kristine 🙂
Morgan
Nov 02
This was my first time making this version and the texture and flavor was phenomenal. The multiple rises including the rest in the fridge are key! The combination of organs and anise reminded me a lot of a Gibassier. Compared to other pan de muertos recipes I have used before this dough was a lot trickier to work with which made it harder to get the shape and definition of the huesos right. Still, so yummy, that I will definitely be making again!
Pati Jinich
Nov 03
LOVED to read this, thanks Morgan!
Adrian
Oct 26
Hola Pati. Solo pude encontrar anís estrella (la estrella entera), se puede usar como substituto? Si es así, se parte en pedacitos? Gracias!
Pati Jinich
Oct 27
Saben diferente y el sabor de las semillas es mas potente Adrian. Si no encuentras anise seeds, mejor no utilizarlo. Suerte 😉
Lesley M
Nov 03
I made this yesterday and it was great! However, my bread was enormous to where it split. Do you think I may have let it rest for too long? Or next time should I divide the dough and make smaller pieces?
Pati Jinich
Nov 21
Oh next time divide it, Lesley.
Eric
Oct 14
puedo utilizar leche de almendra u otra que no sea de vaca?
Pati Jinich
Oct 19
Si Eric, puedes tratar 😉 Y me cuentas que tal te queda!
Marcela
Nov 02
Hello Pati,
Can I divide the dough into smaller loaves to share with friends? If so, do I adjust the baking time? Thank you always for your wonderful recipes.
Pati Jinich
Nov 20
For sure! You will want to reduce the time by a few minutes…depending on how big your loafs are. You know they are done when they sound hollow.
Irma L J
Oct 31
The press recipe sounds delicious. I can’t wait to try it. I will bake it on the day of the dead.
I love our traditions. We will keep them alive where ever we live.
Thank you for your recipes.
Cheers.
Pati Jinich
Oct 31
💕
Timothy Wallace
Oct 30
This looks so yummy! I haven’t baked in awhile but Friday might be the day!
Pati Jinich
Oct 31
Have fun making it, Timothy!
Marissa
Nov 02
Dear Pati,
Thank you so much for this simple yet detailed recipe! I made my first pan de Muertos today! I consider myself more of a cook then a baker and am easily intimidated by yeast bread making but I trust you so much with all the other recipes I’ve tried of yours, so gave it a shot. I thoroughly enjoyed the process and would definitely make it again. It came out beautifully! Thank you again for continually providing us with authentic yet very doable recipes ~ Especially those of us Mexican Americans who are using these recipes to build up our Cultural and Heritage presence in our homes. ❤️
Pati
Nov 05
So happy to hear this, Marissa. Thank you so much.
Maira
Nov 02
Pati Pati Pati. No se que hice pero me salió grandísima pieza de pan. Estaba entre la receta y una película que le gustaban a mi papá. Cuando mira la tremenda pieza empecé a reírme tan fuerte que hasta me salieron lagrimas. Me acorde de mi apá y como nos hacía burla porque siempre nos comíamos el pan dulce en tan solo minutos. El pan me salió un poco fodongo pero delicioso. Lol. Seriously though, thank you sharing the recipes of our Mexico querido ya que esas no hacen recordar esos lindos recuerdos de familia. Bravo!
Pati
Nov 07
Gracias por compartir tus recuerdos conmigo, Maira. Yo como mi pan dulce en minutos también.
Helen
Nov 01
Hi Pati!
I made your pan de muertos and followed the recipe as written. However, my bread came out tasting quite sour. Is this how it is supposed to taste? The proofing went very well, the color on the bread is lovely, but, well, the taste … surprised me.
Pati
Nov 07
Oh no, I’m sorry to hear that it came out bitter, Helen. It might have been the yeast you used, sometimes the packages are very old.
Ale
Oct 31
I make bread often. If you rest your dough for too long, it can develop a sour flavor from the over fermentation of the yeast. Next time just wait until the dough has just doubled its size.
Robin
Oct 31
Hola Pati, I love your program on PBS and watch it here in Tijuana every Saturday. I am going to go look for the Orange Blossom water and Anise seeds here at the local market Hidalgo…how do I ask in Spanish for those two items? Thank you!
Pati
Nov 01
Thank you so much, Robin! When you are at the market you can say: Estoy buscando agua de azahar y semillas de anís. Or you can ask ¿Tienes agua de azahar o semillas de anís?
Shashi Alag
Oct 29
What a lovely way to celebrate loved ones.
Pati
Oct 30
Yes, a great way to remember everyone, Shashi.
Anirudh
Oct 29
Any suggestion on how to make this without eggs?
Pati
Nov 01
Oh for this version of pan de muerto you need eggs….
Teran Brondum
Oct 29
Thank you so much for this. I lost my father in 2014 and the funeral home I work at celebrates this. I always bring my dad in and set up an altar for him. I’m proud to celebrate this day with my children and my returning father, grandfather and friend.
Pati
Oct 29
What a wonderful way to celebrate and remember your father Teran. 💙
Maria
Oct 27
Hola Pati, when you say overnight, how many hours does that mean? Is there a minimum hours to leave the dough in the fridge? Also, is there any such thing as being too long in the fridge? This is my first try at baking pan de Muerto!
Pati
Oct 30
Overnight is about 7-8 hours. You want to make sure it gets a nice slow rise in the fridge. You can do it, Maria! Good luck!
Laura Cerda
Nov 09
Pati, por cierto, no recomiendo usar toalla para tapar. Mi masa se hincho tanto que quedó pegada en la toalla y fue difícil de quitar.
Pati
Nov 11
Buen tip!
Laura Cerda
Nov 09
Pati, acabo de hacer la primera tanda de pan y está horneado en este momento. Según yo, seguí tus instrucciones al pie de la letra, pero al final, salió muy pegajoso la masa y tuve que agregarle otra taza de harina para formar los panes. Es esto normal?
Pati
Nov 11
Si Laura, porque depende de donde vives, que tanta humedad hay… a veces hay que ponerle un poco más o un poco menos.
Dulce
Nov 03
Hola Pati,
Puedo utilizar leche condensada? Gracias.
Pati
Nov 11
Not to make the Pan de Muerto…
Leila
Nov 01
Hola Pati!
I started the bread on Monday and baked it last night (Tuesday) just in time for the holiday!
It tastes delicious. I love the recipe, enjoyed all the steps and lessons in patience and science. My bread decorations kind of lost their shape when it baked and the dough expanded. Do you have any tips for getting the dough to keep its shape once in the oven? Love your recipes I cook them often and they have seriously impressed my mexican in-laws.
Gracias!
Pati
Nov 11
The bread is bound to change as it bakes… a bit capricious, I know!
M. Hortensia Sanchez
Oct 26
Pati, estaríamos felices de que publicaras tu blog también en Español. Tus recetas están exquisitas, es nuestra cocina 🙂
Gracias.
M. Hortensia Sanchez
Pati
Nov 08
Vamos a tener todo el sitio en español en un par de semanas!
Laura
Oct 25
Hola Pati – Queria saber si en vez de agua de naranjo, podría usar te de flor de naranjo. Gracias por tu atención.
Laura
Pati
Nov 20
Hola Laura, claro, prueba con te de flor de naranjo, creo que te va a quedar también muy rico!
Ofelia
Oct 22
Do you know if I don’t use mixers will bread taste differently? This will be my first time making the bread. I’ve never had any type of mixers, perfer to manually mix. Love your show
Pati
Oct 27
You can absolutely mix it by hand!
Griselda
Nov 29
Thanks! I think I might have been missing more sugar at the top; I will also add nuts and dried fruits next time. Just received your cookbook today! Yay! Can’t wait to try new recipes.
Griselda
Nov 04
Thanks, great recipe, the bread rised beautifully. However, there is a slight bitter aftertaste… is it possible this is overfermented ? Could this be caused by “too much” rising time ? I let it rise for 3 hours on the second rise, it was probably 3 times the volume… have you had this problem ? Thanks!
Pati
Nov 08
Not really, it may be the Orange Blossom Water. Otherwise, there is a kind of a bitter taste -that I really like_ that is common in yeast based breads.
Laura Exberger
Oct 30
I just finished my bread but I think iit was not baked all the way through, I strictly followed the time and removed from the oven after 38 minutes. It sounded hollow at the bottom but when I served it doesn’t seem to be fluffy, it is somehow plastered. I believe that for the amount of dough ( which it incredibly rises and triple its size) I would increase baking time to at least 40 minutes. I am invited to bake it again next year, but I have already made my notes to adjust the baking time. Would it be a good idea to make two loaves instead of one with the same amount of dough? In that case I believe I would stick to the 35 minutes baking time. Overall it tastes good, kind of plain so I was wondering if I could also add some raisins next time? Thanks for the recipe !
Best regards, Laura
Pati
Nov 01
Yes, of course you can add anything you want, raisins, candied pineapple… You can increase the time a few minutes, or you can make it 2 or 4 loaves. You can also add more sugar to the coating ; )
Debbie Jones
Nov 09
Just saw your program on PBS! Loved all your recipes you prepared. I have a home in Mexico and spend about 6 months of the year there. Love the cuisine of Jalisco and Nayarit where I live. Will be purchasing your cookbook and trying them out on my husband and visitors. Thank you.
Pati
Nov 14
Hola Debbie, I love the food in Jalisco as well! Thank you for watching & for getting my cookbook!! You will have to let me know what your family & friends think of the recipes!
Maria
Nov 01
Hola Pati,
This is the second year I bake your Pan de Muerto. I was never very confident to bake yeast bread but I decided to give it a try after I heard your interview on NPR. It is wonderful to have “Mi pan de muerto” here in the US. My husband loves it too. He is so much looking forward to have it that he asks at every rise if it’s almost ready. My answer is, we are one step closer….
Thank you so much for this recipe!
Pati
Nov 04
Hola Maria, Wow! So happy to hear you both are enjoying this recipe. Thanks for making it!!
Rachel Sierra
Oct 31
Hi Pati
Does this bread need any kneeding at all? I’m afraid my bread will be dense if I don’t kneed it…
I am making this today for my Mexican husband and want to get it right for him 🙂
Thanks
Rachel
Pati
Nov 04
Hola Rachel, I don’t knead it, but you may knead some if you feel it needs it. Let me know how it turns out!
Beatriz
Oct 28
Hola Pati,
Can I use orange oil?
I love everything you make, I am truly enjoying your cookbook and everyone I cook for loves it too.
Thank you,
Pati
Oct 29
Hi Beatriz, If you can’t find orange blossom water, I would just use plain water. Thank you for getting my book!
Martha
Oct 27
Hi Pati,
I have to tell you that my daughter Mia, who is 9 years old, and I love to watch your show ! We have made a few of your recipes and they never disappoint. Can’t wait to try this one ! It will be a treat for my daughter because November 2 is her birthday.
Pati
Oct 29
Hi Martha, Thank you both for watching!! Please say “happy birthday” to Mia for me!
nancy
Oct 24
Hi Pati, can I replace the eggs with chia?
Pati
Oct 27
Hey Nancy, You know I haven’t tried it. If you try it and it works, let me know!
Carey C
Oct 30
Flax seeds can be used. Chia? Haven’t heard of that?
Chandra
Oct 20
Hola Pati, Could you recommend a source (website on online shop) for the little skeleton that one can bake inside the bread?
Gracias,
Chandra
Pati
Oct 22
Hola Chandra, I would try your local party store, or maybe on MexGrocer: http://www.mexgrocer.com/
Olivia
Jul 23
The recipe says to add the milk and yeast mixture and then later says to as the starter aren’t those the same thing? I’m confused.
Pati
Jul 30
Hola Olivia, Thank you for your message! Yes, they are the same. We corrected the recipe.
Francisca
Mar 29
What kind of yeast do you use?
Pati
Mar 30
Hi Francisca, active dry yeast, found at your grocery store in the baking section…
Judy
Oct 30
The wonderful recipes just keep coming. I am excited about your new season of Pati’s Mexican Table. I cherish my Pati’s cookbook. I have tried so many recipes and they are all wonderful. Thank you for sharing. I love visiting Mexico, the people and I love knowing more about your culture. I appreciate you.
Pati
Oct 31
Thank you so much, Judy! I hope you like the new season!!
Linda
Oct 29
Hi Pati:
I am going to make your Pan de Muerto and have a question. I have some Orange Flower Essence on hand. How much would I use to equal the 2 TBSP of Orange Flower Water? I understand that the essence is much stronger than the water. Thanks so much for your great recipes!
Pati
Nov 11
Sorry I may have not gotten to your comment on time! If you don´t have orange blossom water you can sub for rose petal water though it tends to be stronger. If you don´t have either, just add water instead. It will be delicious as well.
Victoria
Apr 15
I fell in love with your TV show.. although the local channel I watched your TV show on was taken out of the TV, I still come to look for your recipes. Everything is so yummy. Can’t resist getting into the kitchen without making something that you posted. Thanks so much for all these great recipes.
Pati
Apr 15
And thank YOU for writing!
Audre' Becker
Mar 10
Pati:
Thank you so much for all your wonderful recipes. They’re wonderful. Keep them coming.
Pati
Mar 12
Thank you so much, Audre!!
Roberto
Dec 14
Gracias Pati for sharing this us. I just started to watch your program in PBS Create and it really a treat and mouth watering how you prepare thiose wonderful Mexican Dishes.
Pati Jinich
Dec 19
Roberto, Thank you so much for watching!
Anel Carrera
Nov 05
A penas lo horneé hoy, en la noche haremosun chocolatito caliente para acompañarlo. Muy rica la receta, gracias por la explicación tan detallada, fue de mucha ayuda! No sabes la que pasé pues mi horno no prendió, tuve que cocinarlo en el horno tostador!! Jaja pero salió muy bien. Saludos!!
Jocelyn Marte
Oct 26
Hola como esta me encantan tu receta pero dime la tiene tambien en
espanol si la tiene por favor enviamela te lo agradeceres gracias
Pati Jinich
Nov 05
Gracias Jocelyn, Pronto lo pondre en español.
ReTeri Aldred
Oct 26
Hello Pati. You are an inspiration! I would.love a cevieche recipe with fish as I cannot eat scallops. Thx for all you do. Teri