Champurrado Recipe (Express Version) (2024)

This Champurrado recipe is the perfect way to get familiar with atoles. Wait, what?

Atoles are a class of hearty Mexican drinksthat use corn as the flavor base. Yes, corn!

There are loads of atole recipes that you can add to your kitchen arsenal, but today we're focusing on the chocolate atole (Champurrado). It's the official Atole Ambassador and the one you'll come across most often outside of Mexico -- it's also the quickest way to get familiar with these delicious concoctions.

Champurrado Recipe (Express Version) (1)

How To Make A Champurrado

Generations ago you would use fresh masa for your atole, but today it's more common to use Masa Harina.(What is Masa Harina?)

That fits well with this Express recipe as it lets you make this drink in a matter of minutes. There's a longer option that relies on some extended steeping and I'll put up a recipe for that version in the future.

For the Masa Harina I've been using Bob's lately, but Maseca is an equally good option for this recipe. (See here for a Masa Harina comparison.)

Champurrado Recipe (Express Version) (2)

You can usually find Masa Harina in the Latin goods section of major supermarkets. You can also get Bob's on Amazonbut it's usually cheaper if you buy it in a grocery store.

The other way to accelerate the Champurrado process is to use one of these:

Champurrado Recipe (Express Version) (3)

These chocolate discs are wildly popular in Mexico and you can find them quite easily in the States these days.

Abuelita and Ibarra are the two most common brands you'll come across -- we're using Abuelita today.

Champurrado Recipe (Express Version) (4)

These are flavored chocolate discs that are loaded with plenty of sugar -- you'll get six 3 oz. disks in a box like the one above. The exact ingredient list is a bit of a mystery, but dark chocolate, sugar, and cinnamon would be a good starting point if you want to mimic them.

And speaking of sugar, it's also worth mentioning that you'll frequently see Piloncillo associated with atoles.

Champurrado Recipe (Express Version) (5)

Piloncillo is raw sugar cane that's frequently sold in cones like the one above.

Yes, maybe it has a more concentrated flavor than refined sugars, but don't worry about seeking out Piloncillo for this Champurrado recipe. Brown sugar is a worthy substitute and will work equally well here.

Okay, enough chatting, let's make something!

Add 1/3 cup Masa Harina to a saucepan along with 1 cup warm water and a pinch of salt.

Champurrado Recipe (Express Version) (6)

Give it a good whisk to prevent any lumps from forming.

Now we'll add:

2.5 cups milk
1 Mexican chocolate disc (3 oz.)
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
2 tablespoons brown sugar

Bring this to a simmer and whisk frequently to keep it smooth.

Champurrado Recipe (Express Version) (7)

Once it's simmering you can lower the heat to medium-low and let it reduce until you're happy with the consistency.

I like atoles best when they are thick and hearty, so feel free to let it simmer a little longer if you want a thicker consistency.

And be sure to take a final taste for sweetness. The recipe calls for 2 tablespoons but I know some of you will want them even sweeter.

Champurrado Recipe (Express Version) (8)

Once you have a consistency you like you can serve it up!

Ideally you've got a warm, hearty drink with a surprisingly harmonious blend of corn, chocolate, and cinnamon.

Champurrado Recipe (Express Version) (9)

Nice!

The flavor combo will send you back in time a few hundred years and you might not want to come back to the present.

Champurrado Recipe (Express Version) (10)

It's a great way to find out if you want more of these atoles in your life so consider giving them a try.

Don't forget that you have control over the consistency of these Champurrados. Simply let them simmer a bit longer if you want a thicker version. And if you forget about it for a few minutes and it gets too thick you can always add a splash of water to thin it out.

Buen Provecho!

Champurrado Recipe (Express Version) (11)

Champurrado Recipe (Express Version)

Here's an easy recipe for a delicious Champurrado -- a warm, hearty Mexican chocolate drink that is becoming more and more popular North of the border.

4.88 from 16 votes

Print Pin Rate

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes minutes

Servings: 3 (3 cups)

Calories: 371kcal

Author: Mexican Please

Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup Masa Harina
  • 1 disc Mexican chocolate (3 oz.)
  • 1 cup warm water
  • 2.5 cups milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • pinch of salt

Instructions

  • Add 1/3 cup Masa Harina to a saucepan along with 1 cup warm water and a pinch of salt. Whisk vigorously to prevent lumps from forming.

  • Over medium heat, add 2.5 cups of milk, 1 disc Mexican chocolate, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and 2 tablespoons brown sugar. I usually chop up the chocolate into smaller pieces so it melts faster.

  • Bring to a simmer and reduce heat to maintain a quiet simmer, whisking frequently. Once the chocolate has melted take a final taste for seasoning, adding more sugar if you want.

  • Keep simmering until you are happy with the consistency. Serve immediately.

Notes

It's easy to adjust the consistency of Champurrados. Simmer them longer to thicken them up, or add a splash of water to thin them out.

Abuelita and Ibarra are the two most common brands of Mexican chocolate discs. (More on Mexican Chocolate.)

Like this recipe?Click the stars above to rate it or leave a comment down below! @mexplease

Still hungry?!

Want to receive Mexican Please recipes via email when they are posted? Sign up below to subscribe. All recipes are spam free.

And don't worry, we hate spam too! You can unsubscribe at any time.

Thank You For Subscribing!

Champurrado Recipe (Express Version) (2024)

FAQs

What is champurrado called in English? ›

masculine noun. 1. ( hot beverage made with corn flour and chocolate) (Central America) (Mexico) chocolate atole.

Is champurrado Mexican or Filipino? ›

Mexican champurrado (note the spelling difference) is a velvety smooth and thick chocolate drink made from masa harina, piloncillo, Mexican chocolate, cinnamon, vanilla extract and milk. I first tried it when traveling to Mexico City with my partner and have craved it every day since.

What is the difference between hot chocolate and champurrado? ›

Champurrado is a type of atole (corn masa drink) with its main characteristic consisting of chocolate. The difference between traditional hot chocolate and champurrado is the use of masa harina (corn flour). Atole is made by toasting masa on a griddle, then adding water that has been boiled with cinnamon sticks.

How long does champurrado last in the fridge? ›

To store, keep the finished and cooled champurrado in the fridge for up to 4 days. The longer it sits, the thicker it will become. To reheat, mix in a little more water or milk into the drink first. Give it a good stir, then heat it up in the microwave or on the stovetop.

What is English in champorado? ›

Filipino champorado in English loosely translates to Filipino chocolate rice porridge, Filipino chocolate rice pudding, sweet rice porridge, cocoa rice recipe or simply, and quite literally, chocolate rice.

What is champurrado in Spanish mean? ›

masculine noun (Latin America) 1. [ de bebidas] mixture of alcoholic drinks ⧫ co*cktail.

Is champorado Mexican or Filipino? ›

History. Its history can be traced back from the Spanish colonial period of the Philippines. During the galleon trade between Mexico and the Philippines, Mexican traders brought the knowledge of making champurrado to the Philippines (on the way back, they introduced tuba in Mexico pampanga).

Is Abuelita chocolate Mexican? ›

Abuelita is a Mexican-style hot chocolate also known as chocolate para mesa (English: "table chocolate") owned by the Nestlé company. It was originally invented and commercialized in Mexico in 1939, by Fábrica de Chocolates La Azteca.

Who invented champorado? ›

It was a surprise even for me to learn that champorado, according to a 1950s Department of Education textbook, was invented by Jose Rizal! As the story goes, when our national hero was just a small boy, he accidentally tipped a steaming cup of hot chocolate into his plate of rice and dried fish.

Why is my champurrado grainy? ›

Instead of tasting like a Choco Taco, though, the masa lends a delicately sweet corn flavor and gives the champurrado a delightful richness. You do need to take the time to cook it down to allow the granules to absorb the liquid; otherwise, your champurrado could turn out grainy.

How old is champurrado? ›

Champurrado, according to Gray, has been part of the lexicon of Mexican food since Aztec times. She traces the first writings on atole or champurrado to Francisco Hernandez, a Spanish botanist reporting back to Spain on his findings in Mexico in 1651. There are many different styles of making champurrado and atole.

What to pair with champorado? ›

It is commonly paired with savory tuyo, a salty dried fish. For the sweet tooths out there, champorado can also be topped with condensed milk, evaporated milk, or cream. Personally, we love pairing warm champorado with a splash of cold milk to get a temperature contrast.

Why is my Champorado watery? ›

Adding milk to your champorado will give it a watery consistency. Add more milk if you think the texture is too thick. Using condensed canned milk is the traditional way to make it, but you can substitute it with whatever milk you prefer.

What do you eat with champurrado? ›

Champurrado is the marriage of these two—an atole flavored with Mexican chocolate. Imagine a sweet chocolate tamale made liquid and you have yourself a cup of champurrado. It's traditional for Mexicans to make tamales at Christmastime and often these tamales are served with a cup of champurrado.

Is atole and champurrado the same? ›

Champurrado is a hot beverage found mostly in Mexico that consists of milk or water, corn, sugar, and chocolate. Most people refer to it as atole, which is a thickened corn based drink, but the correct name, when it includes chocolate, is Champurrado.

What is another name for champurrado? ›

Champurrado is a winter-time creamy chocolatey drink thickened with masa harina and cooked over low heat with cinnamon, piloncillo, and Mexican chocolate. This authentic hot drink would be known as atole, another name for a thick hot beverage in Mexico.

What is an atole in English? ›

noun. ato·​le. əˈtō(ˌ)lā plural -s. : corn meal that is cooked and eaten as mush or that is drunk as a thin gruel.

What is the Spanish name for atole? ›

Atole (Spanish: [aˈtole], believed to come from Nahuatl ātōlli [aːˈtoːlːi] or from Mayan), also known as atolli, atol and atol de elote, is a traditional hot masa-based beverage of Mexican origin.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Laurine Ryan

Last Updated:

Views: 6072

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (57 voted)

Reviews: 80% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Laurine Ryan

Birthday: 1994-12-23

Address: Suite 751 871 Lissette Throughway, West Kittie, NH 41603

Phone: +2366831109631

Job: Sales Producer

Hobby: Creative writing, Motor sports, Do it yourself, Skateboarding, Coffee roasting, Calligraphy, Stand-up comedy

Introduction: My name is Laurine Ryan, I am a adorable, fair, graceful, spotless, gorgeous, homely, cooperative person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.