Honoring loved ones with Pan de Muerto: A family tradition

Provided.

Ricky Peregrina, at age 8, placing bread on the ofrenda.

Every year on Nov. 1 and 2, Mexicans around the world honor their dearly departed during Día de los Muertos, a beautiful Mexican tradition. It is a time to remember family members who have passed, to celebrate their lives and to keep their memories alive. In our home, we prepare an ofrenda (offering), adorned with their favorite foods and drinks, inviting their memory and their many stories to be with us once again.

My son Ricky has grown up celebrating this day, hearing stories about his grandparents, great-grandparents, aunts and uncles, some he never met, and others he was too young to remember. Through this celebration, their memory lives on. Ricky and I have baked Pan de Muerto together many times. It is a traditional sweet bread placed on the ofrenda and shared with friends and family who visit our home. The smell of the orange-infused dough filling the house is a reminder that it is that time of year again, when we are invited to reflect and honor those who came before us.

In recent years, Disney's "Coco" helped explain the significance of Día de los Muertos in a beautiful way. It's not a day of fear or sadness, but one of love and remembrance. As we bake this delicious sweet bread, and prepare all the typical dishes year after year, we are reminded of the love our ancestors provided, and how their legacy continues in us.

Pan de Muerto can be made year-round, in our home, when we make it, we are reminded that it is time to pause, reflect and cherish the memories of those who are no longer here to celebrate with us.

To connect with Daniela on social media where she shares fun food facts, recipes and upcoming events and classes. You can find her on Instagram and TikTok at @thedanielaperegrina, and on Facebook under Daniela Peregrina.

Provided.

Pan de Muerto.

• 5.5 cups all-purpose flour

• 1/2 cup butter (softened)

• 3 large eggs

• 1/4 cup milk

• 2.25 teaspoons active dry yeast (1.5 packets)

• Zest from 2 oranges

• 3/4 cup sugar

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 1 egg yolk

• 1/2 cup turbinado sugar (for sprinkling)

• 1/4 cup butter (melted, for brushing)

1. Activate the yeast:

• Hydrate the yeast in 8 tablespoons of warm water. Once hydrated, stir in 1 tablespoon of flour and 1 tablespoon of sugar to make a paste.

Let sit in a warm place until it doubles in size (about 10-15 minutes).

2. Prepare the dough:

• In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, orange zest, sugar and salt.

• Create a well in the center of the flour mixture and add the eggs, milk and the doubled yeast mixture.

• Begin kneading the ingredients together by hand or use a mixer with the dough hook attachment.

• Once combined, slowly incorporate the softened butter, a little at a time, while continuing to knead.

• Knead the dough for about 20 minutes, until smooth and elastic. If the dough is sticky, add a tablespoon of flour at a time until it forms a cohesive ball that doesn't stick to your hands.

3. First rise:

• Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it rest in a warm place for about 3 hours, until it doubles in size.

4. Shape the dough:

• Once the dough has doubled, punch it down to release the air and give it a quick 2-3 minute knead.

• Divide the dough into 12 ball-shaped portions. Set aside 4 of these portions for decoration of the remaining 8.

• Place the remaining 8 balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet and gently flatten them.

• For the decoration on top of each: take the 4 reserved balls, divide each in half, and roll them into thin "bone" shapes. Crisscross two "bones" on each dough ball and place a small ball of dough in the center (see above photo).

5. Second rise:

• Let the formed breads rest for another hour to double in size.

6. Bake:

• Preheat your oven to 360°F.

• Once the breads have risen, brush them with the beaten egg yolk.

• Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the tops are a light golden brown.

7. Finishing touches:

• Once baked and slightly cooled, brush the breads with melted butter and sprinkle generously with sugar (turbinado or raw sugar works best).

Enjoy your Pan de Muerto with family and friends!