In Mexico,  beautiful ofrendas (alters) are made in each home. They are decorated with candles, flowers (marigolds) and mounds of fruit, peanuts, mole and stacks of tortillas. La ofrenda will traditioanally include pictures of loved ones, and their favoirte items, to include there favorite foods. The alter provides a feast for the returning spirits. Decorated sugar skulls are amongst the favorite items. Pan de Muerto is an essential food item that is placed on the alter.

 

 

Pan de Muerto   7 1/2 cups flour, sifted 2 cups sugar, plus additional for dusting 1 cup of shortening or butter 2 packages of active dry yeast, dissolved in 5 Tbl of warm milk 12 small eggs 1 Tbl lard 2 tsp ground cinnamon 2 tsp vanilla extract ½ cup milk . Directions Mound the flour on the counter or in a bowl and make a well in the center. Place the sugar shortening, yeast , eggs, lard cinnamon, vanilla and milk in the well. Work into a dough and knead until the dough pulls away from the counter. If the dough is to soft, knead in more flour. Shape into a ball, grease and flour it lightly, and place in a greased bowl. Let stand in a warm place. For 2/12 hours or until doubled. Cover with a towel and refrigerate overnight.   Shape the dough into balls the size of a peach. Decorate the tops with strips of dough to look like bones. Place the rolls on a greased baking sheet and let rise in a warm place for 1 ½ hours, or until double in bulk. Dust with sugar and bake in a preheated 350 degrees oven for 30 minutes, or until the bottoms sound hollow when tapped.    Source: Fridas Fiesta