Pan De Muertos: Mexican Bread of the Dead Recipe

Celebrate tradition with a delicious twist by baking Pan de Muerto using Chosen Foods Avocado Oil Shortening! Made from 100% Pure Avocado Oil, it helps create a soft and tender texture in every bite. Whether for Día de los Muertos or just a special treat, this recipe brings warmth and flavor to your table!

INGREDIENTS FOR PAN DE MUERTOS RECIPE

½ cup Chosen Foods Avocado Oil Shortening 
3 ½ cups all-purpose flour plus more for dusting 
3 tbsp rapid rise yeast 
2 tbsp warm water  
½ cup milk of choice 
3 eggs 
1 ½ cup granulated sugar, divided 
2 tbsp orange zest 
1 tsp vanilla extract 

DIRECTIONS FOR PAN DE MUERTOS RECIPE

1. In a large bowl whisk together flour and yeast and set aside. 
2. In another large bowl combine water, milk, eggs, ½ cup sugar, water, orange zest and vanilla. Whisk together until smooth 
3. Start to add in the dry ingredients, ½ cup at a time. Continue to mix until a dough forms.  
4. Add in Chosen Foods Avocado Oil Shortening and mix again. If using a stand up mixer continue mixing for 20 minutes until a smooth dough is formed. If not using a mixer, add dough to a floured surface and knead for 20 minutes. 
5. Using Chosen Foods Avocado Spray, grease a large bowl. Add your dough and cover. Place bowl in a warm area of your kitchen and let dough rise for 1 hour. 
6. Deflate the dough and start cutting it into balls: make 8 large (90 gram) balls, 8 medium (30 gram) balls and 8 small (10 gram) balls.  
7. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper. Lightly grease parchment paper with Chosen Foods Avocado Oil Shortening.  
8. Add the large dough pieces on the greased baking sheet and lightly press around the edges. Set aside. 
9. Cut each medium ball in half. Roll each piece on working surface between your fingers, forming “bones.” Continue until you made 16 pieces.   
10. Round the small 10-gram balls. Set aside. Cover and let rise for 15 minutes.  
11. Place a strip of “bones” over the large dough pieces, stretching down the sides. Add the second strip, forming a cross. Lightly place the small 10-gram dough ball in the middle of each cross, pressing lightly. Repeat with remaining dough pieces.  
12. Place assembled dough pieces in a warm area of your kitchen. Let rest for 30 minutes. 
13. Preheat oven to 350° F. 
14. Bake for 20 minutes on middle oven rack, turning the baking sheets halfway through.  Remove from oven and let cool completely on baking sheet. Bread should be golden brown. 
15. Brush each bread with shortening. Place remaining sugar in a shallow bowl. 
16. Dip each bread into the sugar ensuring its fully coated.  
17. Enjoy!