10/09/2026
October begins my month-long All Saints Day breads of Europe, but it's also the start of the greater baking year which includes Christmas, Easter, Ramadan, and the ancient Saints' day feasts. This week my locals enjoyed Pain des Morts, a French brioche-like bread with blood orange soaked raisins, walnuts, and a double egg yolk wash to give its distinctive dark top.
This selection pairs beautifully with soft cheeses and is wonderful toasted with jam. In a few days, once it's a bit drier, it'll soak up a rich cinnamon vanilla batter and become French toast. Perhaps what I enjoy most about these ancient feast day foods, is that people from many backgrounds get to enjoy them while learning - and tasting - a bit of history too.