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20-Min Pan de Muerto Sugar Bread

A shortcut version of Mexico's iconic Day of the Dead bread—enriched dough studded with anise and orange, finished with cinnamon sugar. Baked until golden in one pan and ready in 20 minutes.

Total time
20 min
Servings
4
Calories
385
Protein
6g
20-Min Pan de Muerto Sugar Bread
comfortrusticmexicanvegetarianfluffysoftcrustyweeknight

Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup sugar, divided
  • 6 tbsp butter, softened
  • 2 whole eggs
  • 1 orange orange zest + 2 tbsp juice
  • 1 tsp anise seeds

Instructions

  1. 1

    Preheat oven to 375°F and line a sheet pan with parchment paper.

  2. 2

    Whisk flour, 0.25 cup sugar, baking powder, salt, anise, and orange zest in a bowl.

  3. 3

    Cream butter and 0.25 cup sugar until pale, then beat in eggs and orange juice until smooth.

  4. 4

    Fold wet ingredients into dry until a soft dough forms—don't overmix.

  5. 5

    Spoon dough into 8 mounds on the pan, spacing them 2 inches apart.

  6. 6

    Bake 12–14 minutes until golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean.

  7. 7

    Brush warm bread with melted butter, then coat generously with cinnamon sugar.

  8. 8

    Serve warm.

Tools you’ll need

  • oven
  • sheet pan
  • parchment paper
  • mixing bowl
  • whisk
  • electric mixer or hand mixer
  • spoon
  • toothpick
  • pastry brush

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