Photo from pinterest.com

Pan de Pascua, or “Easter Bread,” is a beloved Chilean dessert served during the Christmas season. Despite its name, it’s traditionally enjoyed in December and resembles a spiced fruitcake with warm flavors of cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg, complemented by dried fruits and nuts. This dense, rich cake brings together the essence of holiday warmth and festivity.

Ingredients

2 cups (10 oz / 280 g) flour

1 cup (8 oz / 225 g) brown sugar

½ cup (4 oz / 113 g) butter, softened

4 eggs

½ cup (120 ml) milk

1 cup (6 oz / 170 g) dried fruits (raisins, dried apricots, etc.)

½ cup (2.5 oz / 70 g) chopped nuts (walnuts or almonds)

1 tsp cinnamon

½ tsp ground cloves

½ tsp ground nutmeg

1 tsp baking powder

Zest of 1 orange

2 tbsp dark rum (optional)

Instructions

Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch round baking pan or a loaf pan and line it with parchment paper.

Mix the Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.

Add the Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk.

Incorporate Fruits, Nuts, and Zest: Fold in the dried fruits, chopped nuts, orange zest, and rum if using. Mix until all ingredients are well incorporated.

Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 45–55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Optional Decoration: Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with a light glaze before serving.

Serving

Slice Pan de Pascua and serve it at room temperature with a hot cup of coffee or tea. It’s the perfect holiday treat to enjoy with family and friends.

Pan de Pascua brings warmth and festive flavors to the holiday table, filled with spices, dried fruits, and nuts. Its comforting taste and rich texture make it a perfect treat for sharing during the Christmas season.