Name: Capirotada
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 75 min
Ingredients: 3 cups water; 3 cups brown sugar, divided; 2 cinnamon sticks; 2 loaves sliced white bread, toasted; 2 cups butter, softened; 1 pound shredded sharp Cheddar cheese; 2 cups peanuts; 2 cups raisins; 0.25 teaspoon ground cinnamon, or to taste; 0.25 teaspoon ground nutmeg, or to taste; 0.125 teaspoon ground cloves, or to taste

Prep Time:

15 mins

Cook Time:

45 mins

Additional Time:

15 mins

Total Time:

1 hr 15 mins

Servings:

24

Yield:

1 9x13-inch baking dish

Jump to Nutrition Facts

This capirotada recipe features buttered bread layered with cozy spices, brown sugar, raisins, peanuts, and Oaxaca cheese.

What Is Capirotada?

Capirotada is Mexican bread pudding. It’s traditionally served during the Lenten period and served on Good Friday. The basic recipe dates back to the 15th-century.

How to Make Capirotada

You’ll find the full, step-by-step recipe below — but here’s a brief overview of what you can expect when you make homemade capirotada:

Make a syrup with water, brown sugar, and cinnamon sticks.
Butter each slice of bread.
Layer the ingredients according to the detailed instructions in Step 3.
Cover with aluminum foil and bake until cooked through.

How to Store Capirotada

Store the capirotada covered with foil or in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. Reheat in the oven until the dessert is warmed through.

Can You Freeze Capirotada?

Yes, you can freeze capirotada pudding for up to three months. Bake it in a foil pan if you plan to freeze it. Allow it to cool, then wrap the whole thing tightly in a layer of storage wrap and at least one layer of foil. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.

Editorial contributions by Corey Williams

Ingredients

3 cups water
2 ¼ cups packed light brown sugar, divided
2 cinnamon sticks
2 loaves bolillo bread, sliced ½-inch thick, toasted (about 24 ounces)
½ cup butter, softened
3 cups shredded Oaxaca cheese (about 12 ounces)
2 cups peanuts
1 cup raisins
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon, or to taste
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg, or to taste
⅛ teaspoon ground cloves, or to taste

Directions

Gather Ingredients and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
Combine water, 2 cups brown sugar, and cinnamon sticks together in a saucepan; bring to a boil.

Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
Reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until sugar is dissolved and liquid has reduced into a syrup, about 15 minutes. Remove cinnamon sticks from syrup using a slotted spoon.

Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
Spread a thin layer of butter onto one side of each toasted bread slice, and sprinkle with cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.

Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
Shingle bread, butter-side up, to make two rows in a 9x13-inch baking dish.

Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
Sprinkle cheese, raisins, peanuts, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves over bread. Sprinkle remaining remaining 1/4 cup brown sugar over the cheese. Pour cinnamon syrup over entire dish; cover with aluminum foil.

Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
Bake in the preheated oven until cooked through, about 30 minutes. Cool for 15 to 20 minutes before serving.

Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

Editor's Note:

This recipe was tested in our test kitchen in June 2023 and was updated to use bolillo bread and Oaxaca cheese.

Test Kitchen Tips

Look for bolillo bread at your local Mexican market. If you cannot find it, you can substitute 24 ounces French bread or Italian bread, sliced ½-inch thick.

Oaxaca cheese is a semi-hard Mexican-style cheese that is similar to mozzarella cheese in texture. It is made from cow’s milk and has a rich- buttery flavor that is slightly salty. If you can’t find it, you could use shredded Mexican cheese blend, or Monterey Jack cheese.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

271	Calories
11g	Fat
38g	Carbs
7g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 24
Calories 271
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 11g	14%
Saturated Fat 6g	29%
Cholesterol 26mg	9%
Sodium 281mg	12%
Total Carbohydrate 38g	14%
Dietary Fiber 1g	3%
Total Sugars 22g
Protein 7g	14%
Vitamin C 0mg	0%
Calcium 141mg	11%
Iron 1mg	8%
Potassium 122mg	3%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.

Capirotada