Prepare the bread: Slow method - Cut the bread into slices about an inch thick. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and leave them out, uncovered, for a couple of days, until the bread is dry and hard. / Fast method - Place bread slices on a baking sheet and toast them in the oven (low heat) until dry and hard.
Place the raisins into a small cup and cover with ½ cup very hot water. Allow the raisins to soak while you prepare the syrup.
Place the piloncillo (or dark brown sugar) into a large pan: add the cinnamon, cloves, and 2 cups water. Put the pan on the burner over medium-low heat; heat mixture, stirring frequently, until all the sugar has dissolved. (This will take only a few minutes if you are using brown sugar, longer if you have piloncillo.) Once sugar is dissolved, turn the heat off. Add 4 tablespoons of the butter (keeping 1 tablespoon of it for later) and allow it to melt in the syrup. Let syrup cool for at least 10 or 15 minutes so that it will be easier and safer to work with.
With your hands, add the dry or toasted bread to the syrup in the pan, breaking up the bread into pieces as you go. Stir gently so that all the bread will be covered with syrup and most or all the liquid is absorbed.
Use the other tablespoonful of butter to grease the bottom and sides of an 8- or 9-inch square (20-23 centimeters) glass or metal baking pan (or another shape of similar volume). Place about half of the bread chunks into the dish, distributed evenly. Sprinkle the bread with half of the soaked raisins and half of the peanuts or almonds; lay the apple slices over this.
Place the rest of the bread pieces over the apples, then sprinkle on the other half of the raisins and nuts. If any liquid remains in the pan, pour it over the elements in the dish.
*For tastiest results, choose a mild Mexican cheese such as melty Mexican Manchego or queso fresco. Sharp, aged cheeses have too strong a flavor for this recipe, and processed cheese products don’t mesh well with the rustic nature of this dish.
Basic Capirotada Bread Pudding https://comboplate.net/basic-capirotada-bread-pudding/