Day of the Dead, or Día de los Muertos, is a sweet celebration in every sense! From sugar-dusted pan de muerto to colorful candy skulls, these desserts are as joyful as they are delicious, honoring our loved ones who have passed on with every bite. Whether you’re whipping up traditional recipes or adding a modern twist, these Day of the Dead desserts are a sweet way to embrace the holiday’s spirit of remembrance and celebration.
Mexican Day of the Dead Bread
This traditional pan de Muerto (Day of the Dead bread) is a sweet, delicious bread like no other! This recipe from Mama Latina Tips is an authentic version of pan de Muerto that will leave your guests asking for seconds – and thirds! Each part of this Mexican bread has its own meaning. The strips down the sides represent tears for the deceased. The ball in the center represents the skull, though some say it represents the heart. The bread is round to represent the cycle of life and death. This one will take a little bit of work in the kitchen, but you’ll be glad you took the time once you bite into this bread!
Sugar Skull Cookies
Sugar skulls are a staple for Day of the Dead celebrations, so why not make sugar skulls you can eat? These sweet cinnamon sugar skull cookies from Not Quite Nigella are colorful, fun and not as hard to make as they look. Once they’re baked and cooled, cut out some white fondant, lay it on top of each cookie, and then use decorating pens to adorn your skull. Add some sugar flowers on top and you’ll look like a pro!
Mexican Buñuelos
Mexican buñuelos (Mexican fritters) are a traditional Mexican dessert popular around the holidays. These fritters from Mama Maggie’s Kitchen are made with simple ingredients starting with a sweet flour dough. They’re fried and then topped with cinnamon and sugar. When mixing up a batch of your own, fry them in canola oil or vegetable oil. Olive oil and coconut oil are not good for frying.
Three-Layer Tricolor Day of the Dead Cake
This striking day of the dead layer cake from H-E-B uses Funfetti Bold Purple Vanilla Frosting for a gorgeous purple frosting that is just, well … to-die-for. You’ll use a regular white cake mix for this, split the batter into thirds, then add green food coloring to one, purple to another, and yellow to the third. Bake it up, layer it, and finish with that beautiful purple frosting. Yum!
Day of the Dead Cocktail
What good is dessert if you don’t have a cocktail to wash it down? This Day of the Dead cocktail from The Cookie Rookie is made with Exotico tequila and absinthe (yes – absinthe)! Those two spirits come together with oranges and chocolate for an out-of-this-world, sweet and tangy cocktail. Bonus: it’s super easy to make – all you need is a shaker!
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