Pan de Muertos (Mexican Bread of the Dead)

Name: Pan de Muertos (Mexican Bread of the Dead)
Total time: 190
Yield: 12
Ingredients: 0.25 cup milk; 0.25 cup margarine; 0.25 cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C); 3 cups all-purpose flour; 0.25 cup white sugar; 2 teaspoons anise seed; 1.25 teaspoons active dry yeast; 0.5 teaspoon salt; 2 eggs, beaten; 1 tablespoon orange zest; 0.25 cup white sugar; 0.25 cup orange juice; 2 teaspoons orange zest; 2 tablespoons white sugar

Recipe by Lorna from allrecipes.com

Breakfast 3 Hr. 10 Mins.

Ingredients

12 servings

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0.25 cup milk
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0.25 cup margarine
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0.25 cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
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3 cups all-purpose flour
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0.25 cup white sugar
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2 teaspoons anise seed
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1.25 teaspoons active dry yeast

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0.5 teaspoon salt
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2 eggs, beaten
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1 tablespoon orange zest
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0.25 cup white sugar
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0.25 cup orange juice
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2 teaspoons orange zest
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2 tablespoons white sugar

Instructions

To make the bread: Heat milk and butter in a medium saucepan over low heat until butter melts. Remove from heat and add warm water. Mixture should be around 110 degrees F (43 degrees C).
Combine 1 cup flour, sugar, anise seed, yeast, and salt in a large bowl. Beat in warm milk mixture, then add eggs and orange zest; beat until well combined. Stir in 1/2 cup flour and continue adding more flour until dough is soft.
Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic. Place dough into a lightly greased bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, 1 to 2 hours.
Punch dough down and shape into a large round loaf with a round knob on top. Place dough onto a baking sheet; loosely cover with plastic wrap. Let rise in a warm place until just about doubled in size, about 1 hour.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, 35 to 45 minutes. Cool slightly before brushing with glaze.
To make the glaze: Combine 1/4 cup sugar, orange juice, and orange zest in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat and boil for 2 minutes. Brush glaze over top of warm bread. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons sugar.