Make a Mexican Chocolate Substitute Using Ingredients From Your Pantry (2024)

Chocolate has a deep-rooted history in Mexico; it's believed to have originated with the ancient Olmecs in the southern part of the country. Although it began as a bitter-tasting beverage, Mexican chocolate evolved into its own style and is a popular ingredient in many food and drink recipes. Mexican chocolate is made from cacao nibs, sugar, and cinnamon, as well as other flavorings like nutmeg, almond, and vanilla. It has the texture of a granular paste, making it quite different from the chocolate familiar in the U.S.

Mexican Chocolate Is Unique

Mexican chocolate has a grainier texture than the smooth and soft chocolates that are common in baking. This means that it can be grated and melted down quite easily.The spices also give the chocolate a little kickbehind the sweetness. This extra spice works well in two of its most popular uses: Mexican hot chocolate and mole poblano. Other flavors of Mexican chocolate are available, but cinnamon is a traditional ingredient. It is often sold as a hard disc or in tablet shape.

Mexican chocolate can be hard to find at times. If you cannot locate it or need a replacement because you ran out, a simple substitute can be made, and it only requires two (or three) common ingredients.

Mexican Chocolate Substitute

To make a replacement for Mexican chocolate, you will need semisweet chocolate or cocoa powder and cinnamon; for an added hint of flavor, include a drop of almond extract. If you do not have almond extract, you can either skip it or use a drop of vanilla extract instead. If your recipe already uses vanilla, there should be no need to add more.

The type of chocolate you use is going to depend on the recipe you are making. If your recipe calls for melted or chunks of Mexican chocolate, then semisweet chocolate may be the better choice. If you are making hot chocolate or something similar that requires grated or powdered Mexican chocolate, begin with cocoa powder.

Replace the Mexican chocolate called for in your recipe with an equal amount of semisweet chocolate or cocoa powder. Add 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon and, if you like, a drop of almond extract for every ounce of chocolate.

Mexican Chocolate Substitute for Mole Sauces

Mole sauces feature a small amount of chocolate, and many recipes call for Mexican chocolate. In this instance, a little cocoapowder and cinnamon make a quick substitute and should not significantly alter the taste or texture of the overall recipe.

Swap in 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder for every ounce of Mexican chocolate used. Add 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon for each tablespoon of cocoa used.

Mexican Chocolate at the Store

You'll find Mexican chocolate in the Mexican food aisle at many grocery stores. It's typically sold in a hexagonal cardboard box and is often labeled as "drinking chocolate."Abuelita, Ibarra, and Tazaare common brands to look for.If it is not shelved in the international section, check the coffee or hot cocoa aisle. You may also have luck at your local international food market or coffee shop.

Make a Mexican Chocolate Substitute Using Ingredients From Your Pantry (2024)

FAQs

Make a Mexican Chocolate Substitute Using Ingredients From Your Pantry? ›

In this instance, a little cocoa powder and cinnamon make a quick substitute and should not significantly alter the taste or texture of the overall recipe. Swap in 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder for every ounce of Mexican chocolate used. Add 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon for each tablespoon of cocoa used.

What can I use in place of Mexican chocolate for cooking? ›

Substitute an equal amount of semisweet chocolate or cocoa powder for the Mexican chocolate called for in your recipe. Add 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon and a drop of almond extract for each ounce of chocolate.

What is the difference between Mexican chocolate and regular chocolate? ›

Mexican chocolate is made with cacao, sugar, and cinnamon. It boasts a grainier texture than other types of chocolate thanks to all of the extra added sugar. While cacao nibs, sugar, and cinnamon form the base of traditional Mexican chocolate, you may also see it made with almonds, vanilla, or even chiles.

What is Mexican chocolate made of? ›

Mexican chocolate is a paste made from cacao nibs, sugar and cinnamon. Its texture is very grainy compared to normal baking or milk chocolate due to the high sugar content. Very often, other flavors are mixed in to create an even more complex flavor.

What makes Mexican hot chocolate different? ›

Mexican hot chocolate contains spices like cinnamon and chili and chopped bittersweet chocolate to create a very rich but less sweet flavor. Whereas traditional American hot chocolate is usually made with a combination of cocoa powder and/or chocolate and tends to be more on the sweet side.

What is the best substitute for chocolate? ›

Try switching out chips and candy for healthier options like nuts, seeds, fruit, and yogurt. These snacks are packed with nutrients that can help keep you feeling full and energized. These alternatives provide delicious flavors without all the excess calories and sugar of traditional chocolate treats.

Why does Mexican chocolate taste different? ›

Mexican chocolate should taste intense and have a rustic texture. Its flavor is due to the fact that the cacao beans are simply roasted and ground into a liquor, whereas a lot of European-style chocolate takes things a step further, using a conching machine to aerate the chocolate liquor and mellow out its flavor.

Why does Mexican chocolate have cinnamon? ›

When the Spanish invaders took cocoa back to Europe, they added sugar and, because they could not find vanilla in Europe, replaced it with cinnamon. “We are a mix of traditions from Spain and from here​,” Alarcon said. According to Alarcon, Mexican cocoa has floral notes, which appeals to high-end chocolatiers.

What kind of chocolate is Abuelita? ›

For generations, Nestlé Abuelita Authentic Mexican Style Hot Chocolate Mix has been an essential part of the Hispanic kitchen. Its perfect balance of cocoa, sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon gives it a distinctively delicious “calor de hogar” taste.

Why is Mexican chocolate gritty? ›

The ancient recipes are made with ground cacao that has not been refined for longer than a few minutes. Remember, this used to be done by hand, no machines. Actually, this style of unrefined chocolate is still largely hand-processed. This is why the texture of a true Mexican chocolate will always be gritty and grainy.

Does Mexican chocolate go bad? ›

Chocolate does not get old in the sense that it has expired – it just turns ugly, grayish, powdery, dry, or grainy. The cocoa butter and cocoa powder can shift into many crystals over time and make your chocolate look different but it will not affect flavor. If sealed tightly, it will stay edible forever.

Is Mexican chocolate healthier? ›

As a bar, chocolate in Mexico is minimally processed to retain the health benefits and integrity of cacao, which results in a more gritty, rustic texture than European chocolate.

Does abuelita chocolate go bad? ›

For optimum quality, all ABUELITA™ products should be consumed by the printed "Best if Used By" date. For optimum shelf life: Store all ABUELITA™ products in a cool, dry, odorless place. Tablets and Marqueta: Once opened, store unused portion in a tightly sealed container for 15-18 months as printed on package.

What is a Champurrado in English? ›

Champurrado is a warm Mexican drink made by heating milk, Mexican chocolate, piloncillo, and Mexican cinnamon together. It's then thickened with a mixture of water and masa harina. When it's ready, champurrado is smooth, thick, chocolatey, and creamy!

Why is my abuelita hot chocolate grainy? ›

It has a noticeably grainy texture because it's processed only to the “liquor” stage, before it's poured into the disk-shaped molds to cool and harden. Classically, it's flavored with cinnamon and vanilla. To make the drink, this solid chocolate is broken into pieces, then just melted into a pot of hot milk.

What is the best chocolate to melt for cooking? ›

The best chocolate for melting and hardening is couverture chocolate. Couverture chocolate contains a higher cocoa butter content, which makes it ideal for tempering—a crucial process for achieving a glossy finish and hardness. This type of chocolate ensures a smooth texture and excellent flavor.

Can you use normal chocolate as cooking chocolate? ›

Yes, normal eating chocolate can widely be used as a substitute for baking chocolate in almost any recipe. However, due to the fact that eating chocolate already has quite a bit of sugar added to it, you may want to reduce the sugar in your recipe accordingly.

What is a substitute for pre melted chocolate? ›

If you can't find it in your area, you can substitute 3 tablespoons baking cocoa and 1 tablespoon shortening for each packet of pre-melted unsweetened chocolate called for in a recipe. Or, substitute 1 square (1 ounce) of unsweetened chocolate that's been melted and cooled.

Which chocolate to use for cooking? ›

Bittersweet chocolate.

Has the strongest chocolate flavor and contains at least 35% chocolate liquor. Some premium brands contain 70% or more cocoa butter and cocoa solids. Best for cooking, baking, and eating.

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