Description
Atole de Chocolate is a traditional Mexican warm beverage made from milk, cornstarch, evaporated milk, and rich Mexican hot chocolate. This comforting drink is thickened to a creamy consistency and sweetened with dark brown sugar, then garnished with ground cinnamon for a cozy, spiced finish. Perfect for chilly mornings or festive occasions, this recipe serves 8 and can be prepared in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 7 1/2 cups whole milk
- 15 tablespoons cornstarch
- 3 cups evaporated milk
- 1 disk/tablet Mexican hot chocolate
- Dark brown sugar (to taste)
- Ground cinnamon (for garnish)
- Ground nutmeg (optional garnish alternative)
Instructions
- Prepare Cornstarch Slurry: Whisk 1/2 cup of the whole milk together with the 15 tablespoons of cornstarch until smooth and free of lumps to create a slurry. Set this aside for later mixing.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large pot over medium-low heat, add the evaporated milk, the Mexican hot chocolate tablet, the remaining whole milk, and the cornstarch slurry. Whisk continuously to ensure all ingredients blend smoothly.
- Cook the Atole: Increase the heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, immediately reduce heat to low. Allow the atole to simmer gently for 15-20 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent sticking and to help thicken the mixture to your desired consistency. Scrape the bottom and sides of the pot regularly.
- Sweeten and Serve: Remove the pot from heat. Taste the atole and add dark brown sugar as needed, stirring well to dissolve. Pour the hot atole into mugs and garnish with a sprinkle of ground cinnamon or nutmeg according to your preference. Serve warm.
Notes
- Constant stirring during simmering is key to prevent lumps and burning at the bottom of the pot.
- Adjust the amount of dark brown sugar depending on how sweet you like your atole.
- Mexican hot chocolate disks often contain cinnamon and other spices, enhancing the flavor naturally.
- You may substitute whole milk with low-fat milk to reduce fat content, but the texture may be slightly less creamy.
- For a dairy-free version, use plant-based milk alternatives, though it will alter the traditional flavor and texture.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican