For Día de Muertos 2026 (November 1 and 2), Azul Poblano in Newton is baking traditional pan de muerto to order, and Laura’s Coffee in Dover has hojaldras on the counter now. Melissa’s Bakery in Bound Brook has baked pan de muerto in past years; check before you go.
Families set an ofrenda, an altar for loved ones who have died, with their photos, marigolds, candles and the foods they loved. Pan de muerto, a soft, orange-scented sweet bread topped with “bones” of dough and dusted with sugar, goes on the altar and on the table.
Bakeries make it for only a few weeks each fall, so ask early. Hojaldras are the sugar-topped version many Mexican bakeries call by that name.
Pan de muerto and hojaldras
Soft sweet bread scented with orange blossom or orange zest, crossed with dough “bones,” finished with sugar or sesame.
Posted this seasonHome bakery · Newton, Sussex
Azul Poblano
Traditional pan de muerto, baked to order. Rosca de reyes in January.
“Realizamos Pan de muerto tradicional!”
“We make traditional pan de muerto!”
How to get it: Order through their website or send them a message.
Posted this seasonBakery café · Dover, Morris
Laura’s Coffee & Restaurant
Hojaldras, the sugar-topped pan de muerto, on the counter now. They have baked pan de muerto and rosca de reyes in past seasons.
“Ya está disponible nuestras deliciosas ojaldras”
“Our delicious hojaldras are available now”
How to get it: Walk in, or message them on Facebook to set some aside.
Last seasonMexican bakery · Bound Brook, Somerset
Melissa’s Bakery
Pan de muerto in two styles, with sesame and with sugar. Rosca de reyes for Three Kings Day.
“Ya tenemos el pan de muerto recién salido del horno de ajonjolí y de azúcar!!”
“Our pan de muerto is fresh out of the oven, with sesame and with sugar!!”
How to get it: Call or message before you go to check this year’s bake. 203 East Main Street, Bound Brook.
Still looking: know who makes these?
- Ecuadorian colada morada and guaguas de pan. Ecuador’s Día de los Difuntos (November 2): a spiced purple corn drink with bread “babies.”
- Champurrado and tamales for the ofrenda. Many families make these at home. Know a bakery or tamalera taking orders?
Questions
When is Día de Muertos in 2026?
Sunday, November 1 and Monday, November 2, 2026. Bakeries usually start selling pan de muerto in mid-October.
Where can I buy pan de muerto in northwest New Jersey?
Azul Poblano in Newton (Sussex County) bakes it to order, and Laura’s Coffee in Dover (Morris County) has hojaldras now. Melissa’s Bakery in Bound Brook (Somerset County) has made it in past years.
What is the difference between pan de muerto and hojaldras?
Hojaldras are the sugar-topped pan de muerto many bakeries sell under that name. Pan de muerto can also come topped with sesame seeds.
Every listing quotes the business or organization’s own post or page, with its date; we checked them on . Holiday plans change, so confirm before you go. Spot a mistake, or make one of these foods? Tell us.