CAPIROTADA (MEXICAN LENTEN BREAD PUDDING)
PG tested
This dessert could also be an excellent sweet breakfast or brunch dish. It’s rich and caramelly, with a nice crunch from the nuts.
4 Mexican rolls or 1 pound crusty French bread
4 ounces unsalted butter, melted
1¼ pounds piloncillo (whole cane sugar) chopped or 2½ cups packed dark brown sugar, well packed, plus ¼ cup molasses 3 cups water 1⅓ cups wine, a light sherry or red wine, divided
4 inches Mexican cinnamon stick 6 cloves
⅔ cup raisins 6 ounces crumbled Mexican fresh cheese
1½ cups toasted mixed nuts, plus a little additional unsalted butter if using pine nuts
¾ cup thick cream or commercial sour cream thinned with a little milk (optional)
For bread: Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
Slice bread into chunks (about 4 cups), spread in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake for about 20 minutes, until thoroughly dried and beginning to brown.
Drizzle melted butter evenly over the bread, tossing and turning the pieces to ensure that they are evenly coated. (I removed the bread from oven, and tossed with melted butter in a bowl.) Return to the oven and bake until nicely golden, about 15 minutes, then scoop into a mixing bowl.
For syrup: Combine piloncillo (or brown sugar and molasses), 3 cups water, 1 cup wine, cinnamon and cloves in a large saucepan and bring to a boil, then simmer gently over medium-low for 20 minutes. For pudding: Toss raisins with the remaining ⅓ cup wine and macerate for 15 minutes. Crumble cheese over the bread, then add nuts, soaked raisins and any liquid they have not absorbed.
To finish dessert: Heat the oven to 325 degrees. Strain the syrup onto the bread mixture (I only used about half of what was in the pan), stir thoroughly and let stand 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Scoop the mixture into a decorative 8-inch square baking dish or divide between 6 small gratin dishes. Bake for 30 minutes, until the mixture is bubbling nicely and the bread looks caramel-coated on top.
Remove, cool a little, then serve with a bowl of thick cream passed separately, if you wish.
Serves 6.