PAN DE MUERTOS

Prep Time: 4 Hours
Yields: 2 Large Loaves

Comment:
While we have pumpkin just about everything for Halloween, Dia de Muertos, a Mexican holiday similar to Halloween has its own food associations such as this recipe, pan de muertos which means bread of the dead.

Ingredients for Bread:
5 cups flour, divided
½ cup granulated sugar
2 packets yeast
1 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
½ cup milk
½ cup butter
½ cup water
4 eggs

Ingredients for Glaze:
½ cup granulated sugar
⅓ cup fresh orange juice
2 tbsps grated orange zest

Method:
In a large bowl, mix together 1½ cups flour, ½ cup granulated sugar, yeast, salt and cinnamon. Set aside. In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, combine milk, butter and water then cook until butter is melted. Pour butter mixture into dry mixture and mix until well combined. Using an electric mixer, beat in eggs and continue to blend while slowly adding remaining flour. Transfer dough to floured surface and knead 10 minutes or until smooth and stretchy. Place dough in a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap and allow to rise in a warm place until doubled in size, approximately 90 minutes. After dough has risen, place on floured surface and punch it down. Divide and shape dough into 2 large loaves then let it rise 1 hour. Place dough on baking sheet and cook 30-40 minutes. While bread is baking, prepare glaze. In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, combine ½ cup granulated sugar, orange juice and orange zest. Bring mixture to a boil and cook 2 minutes. Set aside and keep warm. When bread is done and golden brown, remove bread from oven and brush with glaze.