The bakery inside Ranch Market in Redlands will be busy this week.
It makes pan de muerto, a traditional bread for Dia de los Muertos, during the weeks leading up to the holiday, and expects demand to rise as it approaches. It will be celebrated on All Saints Day and All Souls Day. The dates are Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 1-2.
Dia de los Muertos is celebrated throughout Latin America. Businesses such as Ranch Market follow Mexican customs. It has set up an ofrenda near its panaderia with sugar skulls, candles and orange marigolds as well as bread. Photos honor famous departed people, including comedian Cantinflas, Dodger great Fernando Valenzuela, Elvis and Lisa Marie Presley.
The grocery store regularly sells baked goods such as conchas, empanadas, and tres leches cake, and after Christmas, it will offer rosca de reyes, or three kings bread, for Epiphany on Jan. 6.
Pan de muerto is different from other sweet breads, according to Ellie Magallano, a buyer for the store, which is located at 800 E Lugonia Ave.
It is made with sugar, flour, eggs and butter and flavored with orange zest, anise or cinnamon. Loaves are dusted with sugar or topped with sesame seeds. They are round and shaped like skulls and bones.
It is among foods, beverages and other objects placed on ofrendas to welcome back the spirits of loved ones.
Chains such as Vallarta Supermarkets and Cardenas Markets also go big for Dia de los Muertos with decorations like La Catrina balloons throughout their stores.
ALSO SEE: 10 ways to celebrate Día de los Muertos in Southern California
In grocery stores, pan de muertos costs about $4-5 for a large loaf, 14 or 15 ounces, or four 3-ounce loaves.
Customers may find lower prices at independent panaderias throughout Riverside and San Bernardino counties. These stores are often mom-and-pop places that don’t have websites.
Here are some of the highly rated panaderias on Yelp, the crowd-sourced review site.
Camacho’s Bakery: 939 W Mission Blvd., Ontario. 909, 391-6696, camachosbakery.shop
La Colimense Bakery: 117 E. Fourth St. Suite A, Corona. 951-898-3665.
La Favorita Ranch Market: 28266 Old Town Front St., Temecula.
La Panaderia Bakery: 1616 E. Washington St., Colton.
La Yaquesita Bakery: 35041 Avenue D, Yucaipa
Lesley Bakery: 8145 Cypress Ave., Fontana.
Nosotros Cafe: 3505 W. Ramsey St., Banning. 626-354-7060, nosotroscafe.com
Panaderia Jalisco Bakery: 4955 Felspar St., Suite F, Riverside.
Panaderia La Rosa Bakery: 15974 Perris Blvd., Suite C, Moreno Valley.
San Antonio Bakery: 10252 Central Ave., Montclair.