Mexican Bread of the Dead (Pan de Muerte)

Illustration by Coleen McIntyre

Day of the Dead Bread

Every year on the evening of November 1st, cemeteries all over Mexico are filled to the brim with families celebrating their loved ones that have passed away. Complete with music and food, the celebration feels more like a birthday party than a funeral. There is plenty to eat and drink with everyone contributing something that was meaningful to their loved one.

Bread of the Dead and Day of the Dead go hand-in-hand. Bakeries on every street corner sell the sweet, round bread in the days leading up to November 1^st. Available in many different sizes, there are most often small decorations baked into the bread in the shape of tear drops, hearts, flowers and bone shapes. These rolls are placed amongst the flowers and decorations, afterward eaten in the early morning hours as families prepare to go home. 

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

Directions

1.     Heat the milk and the butter together in a medium saucepan, until the butter melts. Remove from the heat and add them warm water. The mixture should be around 110 degrees F

2.     In a large bowl combine 1 cup of the flour, yeast, salt, 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. This will take about 1 to 2 hours. Punch the dough down and shape it into a large round loaf with a round knob on top. 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 350 degrees F oven for about 35 to 45 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.

Nicholas Beatty is a children's book writer and publisher. His projects explore multicultural themes allowing children to discover the world through whimsical folktales, recipes and activities. You'll find more recipes and writing about world culture in his children's cookbook, The Cultured Chef.

I Love Dia de Los Muertos!

Day of the Dead

Photo by Nicholas Beatty (Patzcuaro, Mexico)

I am absolutely in love with Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos), the Mexican holiday celebrated to remember the dead. Colorful crepe paper banners called Papel Picado flutter in the wind at schools and art galleries, and sugar skulls and dancing skeletons are spotted everywhere. The playful imagery associated with Day of the Dead has become world famous, inspiring artists such as Frida Kahlo and Tim Burton.

I've traveled to Mexico and Guatemala to experience Day of the Dead firsthand on a number of occasions. From Oaxaca, Patzcuaro, Baja and more, each region of Mexico is known for celebrating in their own unique way. This makes for a unique sampling of local flavors and traditions for those of us who keep coming back for more.

The Catrina

A famous Mexican artist named Jose Guadalupe Posada is known for inventing the character Catrina in the early 1900s. She is an elegant skeleton woman of high society dressed in fancy dresses with big scarves and floppy hats. She was designed to remind the people that everyone faces death the same, whether they are rich or poor. Visitors to Mexico can find hundreds of different versions of the Catrina gracing business lobbies, art galleries, individual homes and hotels. She is loved by the people and has come to be among the favored imagery of Day of the Dead.

Frida Kahlo

A Mexican artist, Kahlo began painting after a near fatal bus accident left her severely injured. With ample time on her hands during recovery, she spent many hours producing self-portraits. Though she struggled with the label her entire life, Kahlo is considered one of the most important surrealist painters to date. She eventually became the first Mexican artist to sell a painting for more than a million dollars.

Frida Kahlo imagery has become integrated with Day of the Dead and Mexican pop art symbology. You'll find Catrina's fashioned after Kahlo, as well as altars dedicated to her throughout the country. 

Kahlo's contribution to Mexican art and culture has been profound, and she is one of the most celebrated artists worldwide. Her bold style and unique approach to life has been documented time and time again in theatre productions and feature films.

You'll find as I continue to write about world culture and traditions, I return to Mexican culture time and time again. The color and vibrancy of their traditions are so incredibly lively, and family takes center stage as communities come together to celebrate. It is through celebrations like Day of the Dead that visitors can gain a real understanding of traditions and culture of the beautiful people of Mexico. 

Nicholas Beatty is a children's book writer and publisher. His projects explore multicultural themes allowing children to discover the world through whimsical folktales, recipes and activities.