40 Lively Recipes to Celebrate Day of the Dead
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
Bloody Fizzy-Rita | Recipe and photo: Muy Bueno
Café de olla | Recipe and photo: Mexico in My Kitchen
Champurrado (chocolate atole) | Recipe and photo: Muy Bueno
Cola morada (Ecuadorian spiced berry and purple corn drink) | Recipe and photo: Laylita
Marigold Infused Tequila | Recipe and photo: Sweet Life Bake
Marigold Infused Wine | Recipe and photo: Sweet Life Bake
Mexican Hot Chocolate, Oaxaca Style | Recipe and photo: Lola’s Cocina
Pumpkin Champurrado | Recipe and photo: Nibbles and Feasts
Spicy Mexican Hot Chocolate | Recipe and photo: The Other Side of the Tortilla
Appetizers
Beef Empanadas | Recipe and photo: Lola’s Cocina
Calaca Sandwichitos | Recipe and photo: Nibbles and Feasts
Día de Muertos Empanadas | Recipe and photo: Sweet Life Bake
Tortillas de Cempazuchitl (marigold flower-pressed tortillas) | Recipe and photo: Spanglish Baby
Pumpkin Empanadas | Recipe and photo: Muy Bueno
Spooky Molletes | Recipe and photo: Muy Bueno
Breads
Chocolate Anise Pan de Muerto | Recipe and photo: Hola Jalapeño
Guaguas de pan (Ecuadorian bread babies) | Recipe and photo: Laylita
Marigold Bread | Recipe and photo: Sweet Life Bake
Pan de muerto | Recipe and photo: Nibbles and Feasts
Pan de muerto | Recipe and photo: Flan and Apple Pie
Pan dulce Mexicano: conchas (Mexican Sweet Bread: Shells) | Recipe and photo: Flan and Apple Pie
Persimmon Bread | Recipe and photo: Lola’s Cocina
Pumpkin Spice Pan de Muerto | Recipe and photo: Hola Jalapeño
Main Dishes
Creamy Chicken Enchiladas with Jamaica Mole | Recipe and photo: Hola Jalapeño
Jalapeño and Cactus Tamales | Recipe and photo: Nibbles and Feasts
Mole Negro, Oaxaca Style | Recipe and photo: Lola’s Cocina
Papas en mole | Recipe and photo: Nibbles and Feasts
Tamales de res (estilo Sinaloa) | Recipe and photo: Mexican Food Memories
Desserts
Calabazas en tacha | Recipe and photo: Pizca de Sabor
Caramel Chocolate Almond Rice Crispy Treat | Recipe and photo: Presley’s Pantry
Chocolate Strawberry Peanut Butter Calaveras | Recipe and photo: Hola Jalapeño
Quince and Cream Cheese Pastry (Pastel de membrillo) | Recipe and photo: Lola’s Cocina
Sugar Skull Brownies | Recipe and photo: Hungry Happenings
Sugar Skull Cookie Pops | Recipe and photo: Nibbles and Feasts
White Chocolate Covered Strawberry Skulls | Recipe and photo: Growing Up Bilingual
Sugar Skulls
How to Make Calaveras de Azucar | Recipe and photo: Flan and Apple Pie
How to Make Sugar Skulls for Day of the Dead | Recipe and photo: Spanglish Spoon
How to Make Sugar Skulls for Day of the Dead + Video| Recipe and photo: Muy Bueno
How to Make Sugar Skulls for Día de los Muertos | Recipe and photo: The Other Side of the Tortilla
The Easiest Way to Decorate Sugar Skulls for Day of the Dead | Recipe and photo: Live Colorful
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
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.