Foods to celebrate Day of the Dead

Day of the Dead, or Dia de los Muertos, is celebrated in Mexico and certain parts of Central America and the U.S. from November 1st to 2nd. While holiday traditions vary from place to place, food always plays an important role. Learn more about this special tradition and find delicious recipe ideas to help you celebrate Day of the Dead here.

Pan de Muerto

The sweet, rich, glazed egg bread, Pan de Muerto, is always served, though it, too, varies in shape and decoration from region to region. The most common shape is round decorated with small pieces of dough on top that represent bones and skulls. Loaves in the shapes of human beings and animals—particularly rabbits—are also popular. White, colored or powdered sugar is often sprinkled on top of the loaves for a festive touch.

A white dish of chocolate fondue beside skewers of sweet bread.

ABUELITA^™ Chocolate & Orange Fondue

Celebrate Day of the Dead by summoning the souls of past loved ones with this elegant ABUELITA^™ Chocolate & Orange Fondue treat. Served with fresh fruit, pound cake or Mexican sweet bread, you'll be pleasantly surprised by the zesty orange flair found in each chocolaty bite. This is great for entertaining all year long.

Chocolate cookies shaped like skulls with candy faces.

ABUELITA^™ Sugar Skull Cookies

Halloweeners in your family will love these ABUELITA^™ Sugar Skull Cookies.

Baked chimichangas filled with bananas, cinnamon and chocolate.

Chimichangas ABUELITA^™

Try a sweet twist on traditional chimichangas this winter. A lighter, baked version, these one-of-a-kind dessert features sliced bananas coated in cinnamon chocolate syrup, wrapped in a delicate pastry dough.

A white mug filled with chocolate pumpkin atole on an orange table cloth.

Pumpkin and ABUELITA^™ Chocolate Atole

This Pumpkin and ABUELITA^™ Chocolate Atole recipe is quick and easy; you can put it together in 5 minutes. Our granulated version of ABUELITA® chocolate dissolves quickly and adds a wonderful cinnamon aroma and flavor to this soothing winter beverage.

A red mug filled with hot chocolate and a cinnamon stick on a white table cloth.

ABUELITA^™ Chocolate Champurrado

ABUELITA^™ Chocolate Champurrado is a chocolate-based atole, a warm and thick Mexican drink based on masa flour. Try this refreshing and relaxing beverage anytime you're looking for an afternoon pick-me-up.