MEXICAN CAPIROTADA CUPCAKES WITH COFFEE LIQUOR CREMA

WHAT YOU NEED

Crema Mexicana

Queso Fresco

1 cup Cacique® Crema Mexicana
1 package (10 oz.) Cacique® Queso Fresco, crumbled
10 cups cubed (½ -inch) day old French bread or bolillos (about 4 bolillos)
12 oz. evaporated milk
3 eggs
1 tsp. pure vanilla bean paste (or extract)
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
¼ tsp. ground cloves
½ tsp. ground nutmeg
Pinch of kosher salt
1 ¼ cups packed dark brown sugar or piloncillo, plus 3tbs
½ cup raisins, can use golden raisins
¼ cup shredded coconut
½ cup pecans, rough chop
Sprinkles, for garnish
2- 12-cup muffin pan or 4-6 cup pans 24 cupcake liners, you can also use silicone
Coffee Liquor Crema:
½ lb. unsalted butter (2 sticks)
½ cup Cacique® Crema Mexicana
½ cup packed dark brown sugar
½ tsp. pure vanilla extract
¼ cup coffee-flavored liquor
Pinch of kosher salt

Preheat oven to 350°F. Place cupcake liners in the cupcake pan.
In a medium-sized bowl, combine crema, evaporated milk, eggs, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt and whisk until blended well. Add brown sugar (reserving 3 tablespoons for later) and blend until well incorporated. Set aside.
In a large bowl place bread cubes, raisins, nuts, and Queso Fresco and gently mix with a large spoon until blended. Add evaporated milk/crema mixture, gently stir. Let the bread soak for 10 minutes.
Spoon the bread mixture evenly into each cup of the cupcake pan.
Sprinkle the remaining 3 tablespoons of brown sugar over the tops of each, then the shredded coconut and place in the oven for 30 minutes until the tops are golden brown. Remove from oven and garnish with coffee crema and sprinkles.
For the Coffee Liqueur Crema: Melt butter in small saucepan. Add Crema and brown sugar. Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Add vanilla and coffee liqueur. Stir until well blended and allow it to thicken for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat and drizzle lightly over the capirotada cupcakes. Serve immediately.
Note: To breakdown piloncillo, use a sharp, serrated knife in a slicing motion to scrape and chop it. Some larger chunks may break off during this process; chop them further if necessary.