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This Mexican Champurrado blends deep chocolate flavors with masa harina and aromatic spices in a thick, velvety beverage. It's just what you need on frosty mornings or quiet evenings, making a heartier and more robust drink than standard hot chocolate. Using authentic Mexican chocolate and unrefined piloncillo creates genuine flavors with every gulp.
Why You'll Love It
What makes this drink stand out is how it uses corn-based masa harina with chocolate for that distinctively thick and velvety consistency. The combination of unrefined piloncillo and Mexican chocolate delivers a richness you won't find in ordinary hot cocoa. It's comforting, satisfying, and wonderful whether you're sharing with loved ones or sipping solo when it's cold outside.
What You'll Need
- Milk: 4 cups whole milk for that luscious, creamy foundation.
- Cinnamon: 2 sticks to add comforting spice notes throughout.
- Masa Harina: 1/2 cup to create that signature thick texture.
- Water: 1 cup warm water to blend with your masa harina.
- Mexican Chocolate: 2 disks, cut into pieces, available at Latin grocery stores for that true taste.
- Piloncillo: 1 small cone or 1/2 cup packed brown sugar for its earthy sweetness.
- Vanilla: 1 teaspoon extract to round out and boost the flavor profile.
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How to Make It
- Warm the Liquid
- Bring milk with cinnamon sticks to a gentle bubble. Watch it carefully since milk can quickly overflow.
- Prepare the Thickener
- Mix masa harina with warm water until completely smooth. Make sure there aren't any lumps. Strain if necessary.
- Mix and Thicken
- Add the strained masa mixture to your hot milk. Keep stirring until it thickens up, roughly 5 minutes.
- Finish with Sweetness
- Stir in chocolate and piloncillo until they've melted completely. Add vanilla. For ultra-smoothness, strain once more before serving.
Champurrado History
This warming drink has roots going back centuries in Mexican cuisine. Thickened with corn masa (the same ingredient used for making tortillas), it's more like drinking a warm, thin porridge than your typical hot chocolate. Many folks enjoy it for breakfast alongside tamales or as a nighttime treat. Thanks to its corn base, it's filling enough to keep hunger away all morning.
Ways to Change It Up
After you've got the basic version down, try some tasty tweaks. Toss in a bit of orange zest while it cooks for a fresh twist. Try adding a dash of ground cloves or nutmeg for more warmth. Need it sweeter? Just put in extra piloncillo. Want it runnier? Cut back on masa or pour in more milk. Some folks even like throwing in a tiny bit of salt to make the chocolate pop more.
Tips for Perfect Texture
The ideal thickness doesn't happen by accident. Blend your masa and water completely before adding it to milk—you can't easily fix lumps later. Stir constantly during cooking for smoothness. If it gets too thick, slowly add warm milk. Too runny? Mix a bit more masa with water and stir it in. For the silkiest result, strain before drinking.
Common Problems and Fixes
Got lumps? Run an immersion blender through it to smooth things out. Too thick? Just add a splash of warm milk. Too thin? Let it cook a bit longer. Chocolate not melting right? Chop it smaller next time. For a grainy drink, try pouring it through a fine strainer. Your finished drink should lightly coat a spoon but still flow easily.
Storing and Reheating
You can keep leftover champurrado in your fridge for up to 3 days. Don't worry when it thickens in the cold—that's supposed to happen. When reheating, put it in a pot and warm it slowly on low heat. Stir frequently and add a bit of milk to loosen it up. Skip the microwave—it'll heat unevenly and might get lumpy. Serve it hot right away for the best experience.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → How do I make it lump-free?
Work the masa until silky smooth first, then pass it through a fine strainer. Some people blend it for extra smoothness. Stir often when cooking, breaking up lumps quickly. Still clumpy? Run the whole thing through a sieve before drinking.
- → What can I use instead of piloncillo?
Tightly-packed dark brown sugar does the job well. Mixing regular sugar with a splash of molasses works too. Honey makes it taste different but is still tasty. Add slowly, tasting as you go. Mexican brown sugar cones, if available, are perfect.
- → What pairs with it?
It’s amazing with tamales or churros. Dunk any sweet bread for a treat. Some enjoy it as a morning drink. Even plain cookies get an upgrade when dipped in this. Traditional pan dulce (Mexican sweet bread) is a classic choice.
- → Can it be made early?
Prep up to 30 minutes ahead. Keep on low heat and stir so a skin doesn’t form. If it thickens, add a splash of milk. Don’t boil again once ready—it’ll change the texture. For parties, some folks keep it warm in a slow cooker.
- → How should I store leftovers?
Refrigerate in a sealed container for up to 3 days. Reheat slowly on the stove with constant whisking. Add milk if it’s too thick. Skip the microwave—it can turn grainy. If lumps show up after storing, strain it again. It’s best the same day but still hits the spot later.
Conclusion
Fan of warm sips? Give strawberry atole with fresh fruits a go. Or spice up your day with a sweet corn atole. Even a toasty oat drink gives that comforting vibe.