what is pan de muerto?

Pan de muerto is a traditional Mexican sweet bread (pan dulce) baked and eaten during the weeks leading up to and on Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead, November 1-2). It is a soft, sweet, round bread often decorated with bone- shaped dough pieces, symbolizing the bones of the deceased. The bread typically has a domed top representing a grave and is topped with sugar, sometimes dyed, with flavors like anise, orange flower water, or orange zest. Pan de muerto serves both as a festive food and as an offering on altars to honor deceased loved ones, where it is believed that spirits absorb its essence. Its origins combine indigenous and Spanish traditions, making it a cultural symbol of Mexican heritage. Different regions in Mexico have variations in shape and decoration, but the most recognized type is a round bun with dough shaped like crossed bones and a small ball on top representing a skull or the circle of life.