Grandma’s Capirotada Recipe

### Instructions: How to Make Grandma’s Capirotada

#### 1. **Prepare the Bread**
Start by slicing the loaf of French bread into 1-inch thick slices. If your bread is fresh, you can toast the slices lightly in the oven to dry them out a bit, but if the bread is already a few days old, you can skip this step. Stale bread is traditionally used in this recipe as it absorbs the syrupy mixture better.

#### 2. **Make the Syrup**
In a medium saucepan, combine the **piloncillo**, **water**, **cinnamon stick**, and **ground cinnamon** over medium heat. Stir occasionally to dissolve the piloncillo and create a syrup. Once the piloncillo has completely dissolved and the syrup has thickened slightly (about 10 minutes), remove the cinnamon stick and set the syrup aside to cool slightly.

#### 3. **Assemble the Capirotada**
Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray. Begin layering the bread slices in the dish, slightly overlapping them. After laying down a layer of bread, drizzle some of the syrup over the slices, making sure to coat them evenly.

Next, sprinkle a handful of **raisins**, **chopped nuts**, and **shredded coconut** (if using) over the bread. Add some of the **banana slices** if you’re using them. Repeat the layers of bread, syrup, and toppings until you’ve used up all the ingredients, making sure the final layer is topped with a generous amount of syrup.

#### 4. **Add the Cheese**
Once you’ve assembled the layers, sprinkle the **shredded cheese** evenly over the top. This is the element that makes capirotada so special—this combination of sweet and savory ingredients creates a unique, comforting flavor profile that’s irresistible.

#### 5. **Bake the Capirotada**
Preheat your oven to **350°F (175°C)**. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake the capirotada for about **30-40 minutes**. The bread should soak up the syrup and soften, while the cheese should melt and become bubbly. About halfway through, you can remove the foil to allow the top to get slightly golden and crisp.

#### 6. **Serve and Enjoy**
Once the capirotada is baked and the top is golden and bubbly, remove it from the oven and let it cool slightly. You can serve it warm, at room temperature, or chilled—though it’s often best enjoyed while still warm.

To serve, scoop out portions and enjoy as is, or drizzle with a little extra syrup or cream if you like. Capirotada is a versatile dish that can be served as a dessert, breakfast, or even a sweet snack.

### Why You’ll Love Grandma’s Capirotada Recipe

– **A Perfect Balance of Flavors**: The combination of sweet piloncillo syrup, raisins, nuts, bananas, and melty cheese creates a delightful balance of flavors in every bite. The crispy bread absorbs all the syrup, creating a soft, pudding-like texture that’s absolutely delicious.

– **Comforting and Nostalgic**: This dish is packed with nostalgia and tradition. Every bite of capirotada takes you back to family gatherings, where generations of cooks have passed down their knowledge and love for the dish.

– **Great for Leftover Bread**: Capirotada is an ideal recipe to use up leftover bread, especially if it’s starting to get stale. Instead of wasting it, you can turn it into a delicious, comforting dessert that the whole family will enjoy.

– **Versatile and Customizable**: The beauty of capirotada is that you can customize it based on your preferences. Want to add more fruit? Go for it! Prefer a different type of nut? Feel free to swap it out. You can make this recipe your own while staying true to its traditional roots.

### Tips for the Perfect Capirotada

– **Use day-old bread**: Fresh bread may not absorb the syrup as well as slightly stale bread, so let your bread sit for a day or two before using it. Alternatively, you can toast fresh bread slices in the oven to dry them out slightly.

– **Experiment with fruits and nuts**: While raisins and bananas are classic ingredients, feel free to experiment with other dried fruits like apricots or figs, or swap the nuts for almonds or hazelnuts.

– **Don’t skimp on the cheese**: The cheese is what sets capirotada apart from other bread puddings, so make sure to use a good amount of mild cheese to balance the sweet and savory flavors.

### Conclusion

Grandma’s Capirotada recipe is a timeless, comforting dish that’s perfect for sharing with family and friends. Its combination of bread, syrup, cheese, and fruit creates a beautiful blend of textures and flavors that will warm your heart and your stomach. Whether you’re celebrating a holiday, gathering with family, or simply craving something sweet, this Mexican bread pudding is sure to be a crowd-pleaser that brings everyone to the table.

Give this recipe a try, and let the sweet aroma of capirotada fill your home with warmth and tradition.