Pan de Muertos (Bread of the Dead)
 

what you need

1/2 c. butter 
1/2 c. milk 
1/2 c. water
5 to 5-1/2 c. flour 
2 pk dry yeast 
1 tsp salt 
1 tbls ground anise seed OR cinnamon 
1/2 c. sugar 
4 eggs
GLAZE
1/2 c. sugar 
1/3 c. orange juice 
2 tbls grated orange zest

what you do

In a saucepan over medium flame, heat the butter, milk and water until very warm but 
not boiling.
Meanwhile, measure out 1-1/2 cups flour and set the rest aside. In a large mixing bowl, 
combine the 1-1/2 cups flour, yeast, salt, anise seed and sugar. Beat in the warm liquid 
until well combined. Add the eggs and beat in another 1 cup of flour. Continue adding more flour 
until dough is soft but not sticky. Knead on lightly floured board for ten minutes until 
smooth and elastic.
Lightly grease a bowl and place dough in it, cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a 
warm place until doubled in bulk, about 1-1/2 hours. Punch the dough down and shape into 
loaves resembling skulls, skeletons or round loaves with "bones" placed ornamentally 
around the top. Place them on a greased baking tray.
Let them rise for 1 hour.

Bake at 180oC degree for 40 minutes. Remove from oven.
Bring glaze ingredients to a boil for 2 minutes, then apply to bread with a pastry brush.

If desired, sprinkle on colored sugar while glaze is still damp.

or...

* Add currants to the dough.
* Form the dough into one large round or plaited loaf.



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