Cozy Creamy Champurrado Mexican Hot Chocolate – Easy Homemade Recipe
This thick, warm, and chocolatey champurrado is the ultimate comfort drink. Made with simple ingredients like masa harina, dark chocolate, and cinnamon, it’s a soul-soothing treat that comes together in under 30 minutes.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups whole milk (or oat milk for dairy-free)
- 1/2 cup masa harina (e.g., Maseca)
- 1/2 cup dark brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 4 ounces dark chocolate (70% cacao), roughly chopped
- 1 cinnamon stick (Mexican canela preferred)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Whipped cream or marshmallows (optional, for serving)
- Ground cinnamon or nutmeg (optional, for garnish)
- Honey or agave (optional, for extra sweetness)
Instructions
- Mix the Masa Slurry: In a small bowl, whisk together the masa harina and 1 cup of the cold milk until smooth (like thin pancake batter).
- Infuse the Milk: In a medium saucepan, combine the remaining 3 cups of milk, brown sugar, cocoa powder, chopped dark chocolate, cinnamon stick, and salt. Place over medium heat and whisk occasionally until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is steaming (about 5-7 minutes). Do not let it boil.
- Combine and Thicken: Slowly pour the masa slurry into the hot milk mixture while whisking constantly. Continue whisking over medium heat until the champurrado thickens to a creamy, pudding-like consistency (about 5-8 minutes). It should coat the back of a spoon and leave a clear trail when you run your finger through it.
- Finish and Serve: Remove from heat. Stir in the vanilla extract. Remove the cinnamon stick (or leave it in for extra flavor if serving immediately). Give it one last whisk.
- Pour and Enjoy: Ladle into mugs. Top with whipped cream, a dusting of cinnamon, or enjoy as is.
Notes
Always mix masa harina with cold milk first to avoid lumps. If champurrado gets too thick as it sits, whisk in a splash of warm milk. For a thinner consistency, add more milk; for thicker, simmer longer. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently with a splash of milk.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 30
- Sodium: 200
- Fat: 14
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 8
Keywords: champurrado, Mexican hot chocolate, creamy hot chocolate, masa harina, dark chocolate, cinnamon, cozy drink, winter beverage