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Cozy Capirotada Recipe Easy Homemade Mexican Bread Pudding with Warm Piloncillo Syrup

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A comforting Mexican bread pudding made with bolillo bread soaked in warm piloncillo syrup, layered with nuts, cheese, and dried fruit for a cozy, flavorful dessert.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups bolillo bread, cut into 1-inch cubes (day-old or slightly stale)
  • 1 cup toasted pecans or walnuts
  • 1/2 cup shredded mild white cheese like queso fresco or mozzarella
  • 1/2 cup golden raisins or chopped dried apricots (optional)
  • 1 cup piloncillo, chopped (or dark brown sugar as substitute)
  • 1 1/2 cups water
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • 3 whole cloves
  • 1 tablespoon fresh orange zest
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • A pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread bolillo cubes on a baking sheet and toast for 10 minutes until slightly crispy but not browned.
  2. In a medium saucepan, combine piloncillo, water, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and orange zest. Simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally until piloncillo dissolves (8–10 minutes). Remove from heat and strain out spices and zest.
  3. Lightly brush the bottom and sides of a 9×9-inch baking dish with melted butter.
  4. Layer toasted bread cubes in the dish. Sprinkle toasted nuts, raisins, and cheese evenly over the bread. Repeat layers, finishing with a layer of bread on top.
  5. Slowly drizzle warm piloncillo syrup over the layered bread mixture, pressing down gently with a spatula to help absorption.
  6. Bake in preheated oven for 30-35 minutes until the top is golden and slightly crisp and the inside is soft and soaked with syrup.
  7. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving. Serve warm.

Notes

Toast the bread cubes before assembling to prevent sogginess. Strain the syrup to keep it smooth and avoid clumps. Toast nuts separately for deeper flavor. Avoid overbaking to prevent burning; tent with foil if browning too fast. Serve warm, and leftovers reheat well. For dairy-free, omit cheese and use coconut oil instead of butter. Gluten-free bread can be used for gluten-free option.

Nutrition

Keywords: capirotada, Mexican bread pudding, piloncillo syrup, bolillo bread, warm dessert, traditional Mexican dessert, easy bread pudding

Find it online: https://tastytuck.com/cozy-capirotada-recipe-easy-homemade-mexican-bread-pudding-with-warm-piloncillo-syrup/