EL PAN DE MUERTO

Steps:

• In a saucepan over medium flame, heat the butter, milk and water until very warm but not boiling.
• Meanwhile, measure out 1-1/2 cups flour and set the rest aside.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine the 1-1/2 cups flour, yeast, salt, anise seed and sugar.
• Beat in the warm liquid until well combined.
• Add the eggs and beat in another 1 cup of flour.
• Continue adding more flour until dough is soft but not sticky.
• Knead on lightly floured board for ten minutes until smooth and elastic.
• Lightly grease a bowl and place dough in it, cover with plastic wrap and let rise in warm place until doubled in bulk, about 1-1/2 hours.
• Punch the dough down and shape into loaves resembling skulls, skeletons or round loaves with"bones" placed ornamentally around the top.
• Let these loaves rise for 1 hour.
• Bake in a preheated 350 F degree oven for 40 minutes.
• Remove from oven and paint on glaze.
• Glaze: Bring to a boil for 2 minutes, then apply to bread with a pastry brush.
• If desired, sprinkle on colored sugar while glaze is still damp.