BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — Pan De Muerto is a traditional Mexican sweet-bread, often made during the weeks leading up to Dia De Los Muertos.

Ingredients:

• 3 pounds of flour
• 1.5 cups of sugar
• ¾ cup orange juice or 3 fresh oranges
• 1 cup of butter or 1.5 cups of margarine
• 8 eggs
• 3 spoon-fulls of yeast
• 3 spoon-fulls of orange zest
• 2 spoon-fulls of salt

Steps:

• First mix all the dry ingredients
• Add in eggs and butter and knead the dough
• Add in orange juice and zest
• Knead dough until it is all mixed but still retains a good elasticity; make sure not to add too much flour during kneading
• Place dough in a bowl and cover, let rise for 20-30 minutes
• Separate dough into balls about the size of an orange and add "bones"; cross rolls of dough on top
• Bake for about 30 minutes
• let cool for about 10 minutes then add butter and toppings.

Traditional toppings include sugar, sprinkles, or sesame seeds. Enjoy your Pan De Muerto with a side of Chocolate De Abuelita.