Capirotada -- Mexican Bread Pudding

Total Time: 1 hr 5 mins Preparation Time: 35 mins Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 14
• 2 loaves french bread (or 5-6 bolillos)
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 8 ounces piloncillo (mexican brown sugar)
• 4 cups water, boiling
• 3 -4 whole cloves
• 1 cup raisins
• 1 cup peanuts
• 1 cup queso fresco or 1 cup american cheese, grated
• oil, for frying

Recipe

• 1 cut bread in slices and let it dry for at least one day before preparing.
• 2 fry the sliced bread, break into 2" pieces.
• 3 make a syrup of water, sugar, spices and salt.
• 4 bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes.
• 5 butter an oblong baking pan.
• 6 layer bread, cheese, raisins and peanuts.
• 7 pour syrup over bread mixture and bake at 350f for 20 minutes or until syrup is absorbed.
• 8 may be served warm or cold. if served warm, top with whipped cream.