Capirotada

French bread pieces are layered with raisins, chopped nuts and cheese, then baked with a brown sugar and cinnamon syrup to make a traditional Mexican bread pudding. For extra flavor, sprinkle Mexican anise candies over the top before baking.

• Preparation Time: 25 mins
• Cooking Time: 25 mins
• Total Time: 50 mins
• Calories: 621 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 cup chopped walnuts
• 1 ½ cups water
• 1 ½ cups packed brown sugar
• ½ cup raisins
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 8 slices French bread
• 8 slices Cheddar cheese
• 2 ounces colaciones (Mexican anise candies) (Optional)

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).

Step 2

Toast the French bread and break it into 2 inch pieces.

Step 3

In a lightly greased 8x8 inch baking dish, spread about half of bread pieces on the bottom of the dish; sprinkle with half of the raisins, nuts and cheese.

Step 4

Repeat with a second and final layer of bread, raisins, nuts and cheese. Put anise candies on top of mixture, if desired.

Step 5

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, cook and stir brown sugar, cinnamon and water until it forms a syrup; pour half of the syrup over bread.

Step 6

Bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes and remove from oven; pour remaining syrup over bread and bake for another 15 minutes. Serve warm or cold.