On Saturday - 2nd November it is the Mexican celebration of Day of the Dead, or Día de los Muertos – a colourful Mexican festival dedicated to honouring loved ones who have passed on. It’s a time when families gather to share stories, laughter, and, of course, lovingly prepared food
In the spirit of this lively tradition I make a Pan de Muerto, a sweet, subtly spiced bread adorned with bone-like decorations, symbolising the cycle of life. Paired with a warming cup of hot chocolate or coffee (if can chose hot chocolate choose this for this bread), it has become a cherished part of our Day of the Dead festivities.
Let us take you on a culinary journey to Mexico, where we invite you to bake this beautifully simple bread, honouring tradition and celebrating life, love, and flavour - Recipe below
Que tengas un día lleno de recuerdos y amor. Feliz Día de los Muertos!
Steve and the Team
This weeks discount code is
MexicanSpices25
Good for 1 use per customer, expires Monday 4th November
Prepare the Dough
In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, yeast, and salt. Make a well in the centre and add eggs, warm milk, orange zest, and orange blossom water if using. Mix until a soft dough forms.
Knead and Incorporate Butter
Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface or with a stand mixer. Gradually add the softened butter, kneading until the dough is smooth and elastic (about 10 minutes).
First Rise
Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a cloth, and let it rise in a warm area for 1-1.5 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
Shape the Bread
Punch down the dough and divide it into two parts. Take a small portion of each and shape “bone” decorations on top of the loaves, forming a round ball in the centre.
Second Rise
Place the shaped loaves on a baking sheet, cover, and let rise again for 30-45 minutes.
Bake
Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Bake the loaves for 25-30 minutes, until golden brown and fully baked.
Topping
While the bread is warm, brush it with melted butter and sprinkle generously with sugar for a sweet finish.