Pan de los muertos

En ingles: Bread of the dead

This is a seasonal sweet bread made in Mexico that I faintly recall my high school Espanol teacher talking about one day. I cannot recall but I vaguely remember something about a piece of hard candy being put in the middle… hmm…

Ingredients:

1/4 cup butter or margarine

1/4 cup milk

1/4 cup warm water (110-115 degrees Fahrenheit)

3 cups flour

5/4 tsp yeast

1/2 tsp salt

2 tsp anise seeds

1/2 cup + 2 tbsp sugar

2 eggs

2 tsp + 1 tbsp orange zest (top of the rind)

1/4 cup orange juice

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Making it:

In a bowl mix 1 cup of flour, the yeast, salt, anise, and 1/4 cup sugar

In sauce pan bring to a simmer the milk and butter on low heat, then add the warm water

Mix in milk mixture to the bowl while adding eggs, zest, and 1/2 cup of flour (add more flour as needed)

Knead until smooth and elastic

Cover and let sit in a warm place for about 2 hours to rise

Shape into a round loaf or desired shape on a pan (baking sheet or greased if desired) (can sit for another hour if you want more to rise)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and bake for 35-45 minutes

Prepare glaze by adding in sauce pan the 1/4 cup sugar, orange juice, and remaining zest;bring to boil for 2 minutes

Brush top of bread with glaze after baking and still hot

Sprinkle sugar if desired