VeganMoFo #10: El Pan de Muerto

I’ve long wanted to visit Mexico to celebrate Dia de los Muertos. And this year I am! I will be heading to Guadalajara and staying with friends before heading to Guanajuato to take part in the sacred festival of the departed. Though I am only slightly disappointed that we won’t be able to make it out to Oaxaca, which is most festive, Guanajuato promises a less tourist-trotted holiday. In preparation I have began working on my own Dia de los Muertos craft…
…and veganizing Dia de los Muertos staple, el pan de muerto (or “dead bread”). Yes, vegan dead bread! I used this recipe and substituted the eggs with Ener-g and Earth Balance for butter. The dough was easy to make and smelled delish, thanks to the anise and orange.
But, my active yeast was expired and it rose at a sloth’s pace. Instead of the 3 hours or so of rising the recipe called for, I let it sit overnight and the entirety of the next day.
Finally it is all ready for the oven!
And out it comes 40 minutes later looking quite yum.
But dead bread needs more sugar! After applying the sugar and orange glaze the sticky skin was sprinkled with even more sugar. Enough sugar to call to the wandering souls of my kitchen.
Success! Veganized el pan de muerto.