Extra Credit Project -  This bread is sold in Bakeries during this celebration in Mexico.

PAN DE MUERTO

(makes one large loaf and requires about 3 hours to make)

Ingredients

¼ cup milk

¼ cup butter, cut into small pieces

¼ cup sugar

½ teaspoon salt

one package active dry yeast

¼ cup warm water (about 110)

2 eggs

3 cups of flour

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

2 teaspoons sugar

• Bring milk to scalding (right before boil); remove from heat and stir in the butter, ¼ cup of sugar and the salt.  Let cool.

• In a mixing bowl, combine the yeast and water (be sure to use fresh yeast), let  stand about 5 minutes then add the milk mixture.  Separate one egg.  Add only the yolk to the yeast mixture (set aside the egg white to be used later).  Add the second whole egg and 2 & 1/3 cups of the flour.  Blend well.

• Place the dough on a well-floured board and knead until smooth and velvety (about 5 minutes).  Place in a bowl, cover with a cloth and let rise in a warm place until double in size (about 1 to 1 ½ hours).   Then knead again on a floured board to expel air bubbles.

• Cut off a 1/3 cup size piece of  dough and set aside.  Shape the remaining dough into a mound.  Place on a greased baking sheet.  Divide the reserved dough in half; shape each portion into a “bone.”  Lay the bones in a crossed position and place them across the top of the loaf. 

• Cover with a light cloth and allow to rise again in a warm place for about 30 minutes or until “puffy looking”.

• Brush gently with reserved egg white (gently beaten).  Mix together the cinnamon and the 2 teaspoons of sugar, sprinkle onto loaf, avoiding the bones.

• Bake in a pre-heated 350 degree oven for about 35 minutes or until richly browned.

• Serve warm with butter.

      Bring wrapped in plastic wrap so it can be warmed in the microwave oven.  Butter

      and a plastic knife to cut with too.