Description
Experience the heart of Mexican cuisine with this delightful Traditional Mexican Capirotada, a sweet bread pudding filled with rich flavors and textures. Perfect for family gatherings and holiday celebrations, this dish is sure to bring warmth and joy to your home.
Ingredients
- Bolillo or any crusty bread (stale works best)
- Brown sugar (1 cup)
- Ground cinnamon (1 stick)
- Whole cloves (a handful)
- Pecans or walnuts (or sunflower seeds as an alternative)
- Raisins
- Dried apricots (or cranberries or figs as alternatives)
- Queso fresco or cotija cheese (crumbled, or crumbled tofu mixed with nutritional yeast as a non-dairy option)
- Whole milk (1 to 2 cups, or almond or oat milk for a dairy-free version)
- Water (2 cups)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This step ensures that your capirotada bakes evenly.
- In a medium saucepan, combine 2 cups of water, 1 cup of brown sugar, 1 stick of cinnamon, and a handful of cloves. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and let it simmer for about 10 minutes until it thickens slightly. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Slice your bread into thick pieces (about 1-inch). Place them on a baking sheet and toast in the oven for about 10 minutes, or until they are golden and slightly crispy.
- In a greased baking dish, start layering your toasted bread. Begin with a layer of bread, followed by a sprinkle of nuts, a handful of dried fruits, and a layer of cheese. Repeat the layers until you run out of ingredients, finishing with a layer of bread on top.
- Pour the syrup you prepared earlier evenly over the layered ingredients, ensuring everything is well-coated.
- Pour 1 to 2 cups of milk over the top of the dish to help moisten the layers during baking.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 to 20 minutes until the top is golden and crispy.
- Once done, let the capirotada cool for about 10 minutes before serving. This dish can be served warm or at room temperature.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 45 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
Keywords: Experiment with flavors by adding other spices like anise or vanilla extract to the syrup. Capirotada can be prepared a day in advance; just cover it with plastic wrap and refrigerate. For a fully vegan version, substitute the cheese with a plant-based alternative and use plant-based milk.