November 2nd is the feast of All Souls in the Catholic Church, a day when we remember all of our beloved dead, especially the recently deceased. The feast originated in Benedictine monasteries associated with the abbey of Cluny under St. Odilo in the 11th century and later spread to the entire church.
Every culture has its own traditions regarding the commemoration of the dead, but the Mexican "Day of the Dead" or Dia de Los Muertos is surely among the most colorful and diverse celebrations. You can find more about the traditions associated with this feast HERE. Among them is a sweet bread known as Pan de Muertos, and I highly recommend that you try it, no matter what your ethnic or cultural heritage.
There are dozens of variations for this bread, which is taken to the cemetery along with other foods and flowers for a symbolic meal with those who are buried there. Not a morbid or sorrowful affair, the Day of the Dead is a time for celebrating the memory of beloved family members with special treats like this bread. The decorations on top are mean to suggest a skull and crossed bones. You can use the dough to form 2 – 4 smaller loaves as well. In some parts of Mexico, the bread comes in the shapes of people or animals, and it is often brushed with butter and sprinkled generously with coarse sugar before serving. Pan De Muertos has a cake-like quality to it, and is delicious all by itself, without butter or other toppings.
When I was testing this recipe for my PBS show, I took a batch to one of the Spanish classes in the Academy. I saw one of the students later that day, and she confided to me that “someone brought that ‘dead bread’ last year, but yours was lots better!” This year I have a lecture to give out of town on November 2 and won't be able to bake, but I may just mix some up later in the week. You can find my recipe HERE.
Every culture has its own traditions regarding the commemoration of the dead, but the Mexican "Day of the Dead" or Dia de Los Muertos is surely among the most colorful and diverse celebrations. You can find more about the traditions associated with this feast HERE. Among them is a sweet bread known as Pan de Muertos, and I highly recommend that you try it, no matter what your ethnic or cultural heritage.
There are dozens of variations for this bread, which is taken to the cemetery along with other foods and flowers for a symbolic meal with those who are buried there. Not a morbid or sorrowful affair, the Day of the Dead is a time for celebrating the memory of beloved family members with special treats like this bread. The decorations on top are mean to suggest a skull and crossed bones. You can use the dough to form 2 – 4 smaller loaves as well. In some parts of Mexico, the bread comes in the shapes of people or animals, and it is often brushed with butter and sprinkled generously with coarse sugar before serving. Pan De Muertos has a cake-like quality to it, and is delicious all by itself, without butter or other toppings.
When I was testing this recipe for my PBS show, I took a batch to one of the Spanish classes in the Academy. I saw one of the students later that day, and she confided to me that “someone brought that ‘dead bread’ last year, but yours was lots better!” This year I have a lecture to give out of town on November 2 and won't be able to bake, but I may just mix some up later in the week. You can find my recipe HERE.
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