40 Lively Recipes to Celebrate Day of the Dead

Dia de los Muertos | Lola's Cocina

Día de los Muertos is a colorful celebration of life and like most Mexican holidays it includes a festive spread of food and drinks. To celebrate, I’ve put together a collection of recipes from a few of my favorite bloggers — some are time-honored and traditional while others are contemporary interpretations of classic recipes. Needless to say, there’s a little something for everyone to join in on the fun this Day of the Dead.

Drinks

Atole de vainilla | Recipe and photo: The Other Side of the Tortilla

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Bloody Fizzy-Rita | Recipe and photo: Muy Bueno

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Café de olla | Recipe and photo: Mexico in My Kitchen

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Champurrado (chocolate atole) | Recipe and photo: Muy Bueno

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Cola morada (Ecuadorian spiced berry and purple corn drink) | Recipe and photo: Laylita

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Marigold Infused Tequila | Recipe and photo: Sweet Life Bake

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Marigold Infused Wine | Recipe and photo: Sweet Life Bake

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Mexican Hot Chocolate, Oaxaca Style | Recipe and photo: Lola’s Cocina

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Pumpkin Champurrado | Recipe and photo: Nibbles and Feasts

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Spicy Mexican Hot Chocolate | Recipe and photo: The Other Side of the Tortilla

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Appetizers

Beef Empanadas | Recipe and photo: Lola’s Cocina

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Calaca Sandwichitos | Recipe and photo: Nibbles and Feasts

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Día de Muertos Empanadas | Recipe and photo: Sweet Life Bake

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Tortillas de Cempazuchitl (marigold flower-pressed tortillas) | Recipe and photo: Spanglish Baby

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Pumpkin Empanadas | Recipe and photo: Muy Bueno

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Spooky Molletes | Recipe and photo: Muy Bueno

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Breads

Chocolate Anise Pan de Muerto | Recipe and photo: Hola Jalapeño

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Guaguas de pan (Ecuadorian bread babies) | Recipe and photo: Laylita

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Marigold Bread | Recipe and photo: Sweet Life Bake

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Pan de muerto | Recipe and photo: Nibbles and Feasts

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Pan de muerto | Recipe and photo: Flan and Apple Pie

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Pan dulce Mexicano: conchas (Mexican Sweet Bread: Shells) | Recipe and photo: Flan and Apple Pie

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Persimmon Bread | Recipe and photo: Lola’s Cocina

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Pumpkin Spice Pan de Muerto | Recipe and photo: Hola Jalapeño

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Main Dishes

Creamy Chicken Enchiladas with Jamaica Mole | Recipe and photo: Hola Jalapeño

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Jalapeño and Cactus Tamales | Recipe and photo: Nibbles and Feasts

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Mole Negro, Oaxaca Style | Recipe and photo: Lola’s Cocina

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Papas en mole | Recipe and photo: Nibbles and Feasts

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Tamales de res (estilo Sinaloa) | Recipe and photo: Mexican Food Memories

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Desserts

Calabazas en tacha | Recipe and photo: Pizca de Sabor

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Caramel Chocolate Almond Rice Crispy Treat | Recipe and photo: Presley’s Pantry

Calavera Rice Crispy Treat

Chocolate Strawberry Peanut Butter Calaveras | Recipe and photo: Hola Jalapeño

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Quince and Cream Cheese Pastry (Pastel de membrillo) | Recipe and photo: Lola’s Cocina

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Sugar Skull Brownies | Recipe and photo: Hungry Happenings

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Sugar Skull Cookie Pops | Recipe and photo: Nibbles and Feasts

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White Chocolate Covered Strawberry Skulls | Recipe and photo: Growing Up Bilingual

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Sugar Skulls

How to Make Calaveras de Azucar | Recipe and photo: Flan and Apple Pie

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How to Make Sugar Skulls for Day of the Dead | Recipe and photo: Spanglish Spoon

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How to Make Sugar Skulls for Day of the Dead + Video| Recipe and photo: Muy Bueno

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How to Make Sugar Skulls for Día de los Muertos | Recipe and photo: The Other Side of the Tortilla

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The Easiest Way to Decorate Sugar Skulls for Day of the Dead | Recipe and photo: Live Colorful

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FOR MORE DAY OF THE DEAD INSPIRATION:
3 Bilingual Books to Teach Children about Day of the Dead | Lola’s Cocina

3 Day of the Dead Altars to Die For | Lola’s Cocina

3 Foods Associated with Day of the Dead | Lola’s Cocina

10 Creative Crafts for Day of the Dead | Lola’s Cocina

Day of the Dead: A Celebration of Life! | Lola’s Cocina

Day of the Dead Altar: Honoring Departed Loved Ones | Muy Bueno

Easy and Budget-Friendly Día de los Muertos Activity | Spanglish Spoon

How to Make a Día de los Muertos Altar | The Mija Chronicles

How to Throw a Día de los Muertos Fiesta | Hola Jalapeño

What are the Traditional Colors of Day of the Dead | Live Colorful

Day of the Dead Recipes | Lola's Cocina

 

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Lola Wiarco Dweck

Lola is a Mexican-American recipe developer, writer, and cooking instructor who loves sharing her culture with the world. Growing up in California and spending summers in Mexico, Lola celebrates her family’s Mexican recipes and vibrant culture through Lola’s Cocina.

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One Comment

  1. The tradition of remembering our loved ones that have gone before us on Día de los Muertos has become quite special as the years pass. As we set up our altar we are remembering different stories about the husband, mother, father, brother, abuela, abuelo, tía, tío, niece, nephew, compadre or special friend that is no longer with us. There are several stories to be remembered but one that stands out in particular is the one about the “Trappeys”. Trappeys are little hot peppers that my mother Lola had to have with her sandwich when my dad would make it for her. Her famous line, “Bob and don’t forget the Trappeys!” always makes us laugh.