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Cozy Champurrado – Best Kid-Approved Mexican Hot Chocolate

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This thick, creamy champurrado is a warm cinnamon-spiced Mexican hot chocolate made with masa harina for a velvety body. Sweetened with piloncillo and finished with vanilla, it’s the perfect cozy drink for cold mornings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups whole milk
  • 1/2 cup masa harina
  • 1/2 cup cold water
  • 1 tablet Mexican chocolate (about 3 ounces), such as Ibarra or Abuelita
  • 1/4 cup piloncillo or dark brown sugar, packed
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder (optional)
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream (optional)

Instructions

  1. In a small bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup masa harina and 1/2 cup cold water until smooth. Set aside.
  2. Pour 4 cups whole milk into a medium saucepan. Add the cinnamon stick. Heat over medium heat until warm but not boiling (small bubbles around the edges), about 4-5 minutes. Stir occasionally.
  3. Pour the dissolved masa harina into the warm milk, whisking constantly. Continue whisking for about 2 minutes as it thickens.
  4. Break the Mexican chocolate tablet into pieces and add to the pot. Add the piloncillo or brown sugar. Whisk until fully dissolved, about 2-3 minutes.
  5. Reduce heat to low. Simmer for 10-12 minutes, stirring every minute, until thick enough to coat the back of a spoon but still pourable. Add a splash of milk if too thick; simmer longer if too thin.
  6. Remove from heat. Discard the cinnamon stick. Stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and a pinch of salt. Whisk to combine.
  7. Serve immediately in mugs. Champurrado will continue to thicken as it cools.

Notes

Dissolve masa harina in cold water first to prevent lumps. Watch heat to avoid scorching. Champurrado tastes even better the next day. For dairy-free, use oat milk or canned coconut milk. For a thinner version, use 3 cups milk and 1/3 cup masa harina.

Nutrition

Keywords: champurrado, Mexican hot chocolate, atole, masa harina, piloncillo, cinnamon, warm drink, cold morning, kid-friendly

Find it online: https://willarecipes.com/cozy-champurrado-best-kid-approved-mexican-hot-chocolate/