Capirotada Mexican Bread Pudding

Mexican Christmas celebrations are always filled with delicious flavors and comforting aromas. One traditional dish that graces the holiday table is Capirotada, a heavenly Mexican bread pudding. This delectable dessert combines sweet bread, warm spices, and creamy textures to create a unique and festive treat that will enchant your taste buds.

**Capirotada Mexican Bread Pudding**

**Ingredients:**

– 8 slices of bolillo bread, cut into cubes
– 1 cup of piloncillo or dark brown sugar
– 1 ½ cups of water
– 1 cinnamon stick
– 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
– ¼ cup of unsalted butter
– ½ cup of dried apricots, chopped
– ¼ cup of raisins
– ¼ cup of slivered almonds
– ¼ cup of shredded coconut
– ¼ cup of chopped pecans
– Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for serving (optional)

**Instructions:**

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a baking dish with butter.

2. In a saucepan, combine the piloncillo or dark brown sugar, water, and the cinnamon stick. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and set aside.

3. In a large skillet, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the bread cubes and toast them until they are golden brown and slightly crispy, about 5-7 minutes.

4. Remove the cinnamon stick from the sugar syrup and pour a small amount of the syrup into the bottom of the greased baking dish.

5. Layer half of the toasted bread cubes on top of the syrup in the baking dish. Sprinkle half of the dried apricots, raisins, almonds, coconut, and pecans over the bread.

6. Drizzle half of the remaining syrup over the first layer of bread and toppings.

7. Layer the remaining bread cubes on top and sprinkle the rest of the dried fruits, nuts, and coconut over the bread.

8. Pour the rest of the syrup over the layers until everything is thoroughly moistened.

9. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.

10. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and crispy.

11. Let the Capirotada cool slightly before serving. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream, if desired.

Enjoy this rich and flavorful Capirotada with your loved ones during the holiday season. The blend of spices, nuts, and sweet syrup will transport you to a cozy Mexican Christmas gathering with every bite. This delightful dessert is sure to become a new favorite in your holiday recipe repertoire. Gather your ingredients, follow the easy steps, and savor the joy of a Mexican Christmas tradition brought right to your table.