Pan de Muertos (Mexican Bread of the Dead) Recipe

This traditional pan de muerto recipe is subtly sweet with an orange-flavored glaze. 

What Is Pan de Muerto? 

Pan de muerto is a type of Mexican sweet bread that is associated with Day of the Dead, a Mexican holiday that is celebrated on November 1 and 2. 

The round bread symbolizes the cycle of life and death because of its circular shape. Extra dough is arranged on top to represent the skull, crossbones, and tears shed for the living. 

It is traditionally flavored with anise seeds and orange zest.  

How to Make Pan de Muerto

You’ll find the full, step-by-step recipe below — but here’s a brief overview of what you can expect when you make homemade pan de muerto: 

1. Make the bread dough. 
2. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic. 
3. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size.
4. Punch the dough down and shape into a large round loaf with a round knob on top. 
5. Place on a baking sheet, loosely cover, and let rise again in a warm place. 
6. Bake until golden brown. 
7. Make the glaze, then glaze the cooled bread. 

How to Store Pan de Muerto

Store the bread (ideally in a bread box or under a cake dome) at room temperature for up to three days. 

Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise

“I love this pan de muerto so much! So soft and so flavorful,” raves KatyaS. “Smells amazing while baking! Super yummy! Super delicious! Super easy to make!”

“This is delicious,” says Paula O’Keefe. “It rose beautifully, is light and airy, and the orange flavor is clear but delicate. I made only two changes: I substituted Splenda for the sugar in the recipe itself (but not in the glaze), and I made it in my bread machine. It also makes great toast the next day.”

“This bread came out great,” according to theresa. “The combination of the anise and the orange zest taste great together!”

Editorial contributions by Corey Williams