Indulge in the Holiday Spirit: Chocolate Cherry Tamales with Pecans for Your Christmas Posadas
As the festive season approaches and the joyous traditions of Posadas draw near, our thoughts invariably turn to the delicious culinary delights that define this special time of year. Among the most cherished and quintessential Mexican holiday foods are tamales. While savory varieties often take center stage, a sweet tamale offering is an absolute must, adding a delightful counterpoint to any celebratory feast throughout the month-long festivities.
I confess to being an ardent admirer of sweet tamales. Their versatility is truly remarkable, allowing for an endless array of flavors using fresh fruits, dried fruits, nuts, and spices. This year, in the spirit of holiday innovation and personal indulgence, I set out to create a sweet tamale recipe that perfectly captures the essence of winter celebrations. My choice gravitated towards a flavor trinity that rarely disappoints: chocolate, cherry, and pecans. This combination promises not only a rich and satisfying taste but also a beautiful, festive presentation that will undoubtedly charm your guests.
Crafting the Perfect Holiday Tamale: A Simple Yet Exquisite Treat
The beauty of these chocolate cherry tamales with pecans lies not only in their exquisite flavor but also in their surprisingly straightforward preparation. Unlike some tamale recipes that involve complex fillings, this particular sweet variation incorporates the delightful fruit and nuts directly into the masa dough itself. This method simplifies the process significantly, making it accessible even for those new to tamale making, allowing you to focus on enjoying the holiday spirit rather than being overwhelmed in the kitchen.
Once steamed to perfection, these tamales emerge from their corn husk wrappers with a tender, aromatic sweetness. To elevate their festive appeal and add layers of flavor and texture, I love to garnish them with a dollop of luscious whipped cream (or sweet cream for a more traditional touch), a vibrant maraschino cherry for a pop of color, a sprinkle of crunchy pecans, and a fresh sprig of mint. The result is a dessert that is not merely tasty but also visually stunning, making it a perfect centerpiece for your holiday dessert spread. They embody the warmth and joy of the season, making every bite a celebration.
The Secret to Sweetness: High-Quality Ingredients Make All the Difference
To ensure these delectable chocolate cherry tamales with pecans achieve their ideal balance of sweetness, I rely on high-quality ingredients, specifically Imperial Sugar Extra Fine Granulated Sugar. The extra-fine consistency of this sugar ensures it blends seamlessly into the masa, creating a smooth, consistently sweet dough without any grittiness. This attention to detail in ingredient selection is paramount for achieving a truly exceptional dessert tamale. When combined with the deep, earthy notes of chocolate, the tartness of cherries, and the buttery crunch of pecans, the sweetness provided by Imperial Sugar is truly the perfect complement, transforming a simple tamale into an unforgettable holiday treat that will be remembered long after the Posadas have concluded.
Understanding the Tradition: The Role of Tamales in Mexican Posadas
Posadas, a deeply cherished Mexican tradition observed from December 16th to 24th, re-enacts the journey of Mary and Joseph seeking lodging. These festive evenings are filled with carols, piñatas, and, most importantly, communal feasting. Tamales are a cornerstone of these celebrations, symbolizing warmth, togetherness, and the abundance of the season. They are often made in large batches, a communal effort that brings families and friends together in the kitchen, sharing stories and laughter while preparing these delicious bundles of joy. Offering sweet tamales like these Chocolate Cherry Tamales with Pecans provides a wonderful opportunity to introduce a new, exciting flavor profile while honoring centuries of tradition.
Why Sweet Tamales Are a Holiday Essential
While savory tamales, often filled with pork, chicken, or cheese, are undeniably popular, sweet tamales carve out their own special place in the hearts of many during the holidays. They serve as a delightful dessert, a rich snack, or even a unique breakfast item paired with a warm cup of coffee or traditional Mexican hot chocolate (champurrado). Their comforting sweetness, often infused with cinnamon, raisins, pineapple, or in this case, chocolate and cherries, provides a different kind of satisfaction, rounding out the holiday meal experience with a touch of elegance and whimsy. These dessert tamales offer a refreshing change of pace and demonstrate the incredible versatility of this ancient dish.
Crafting the Masa: The Heart of Your Chocolate Cherry Tamales
The foundation of any great tamale is its masa. For these sweet tamales, the masa needs to be light, fluffy, and perfectly balanced in flavor. We begin by creaming vegetable shortening and butter until incredibly airy. This step is crucial for achieving the desired tender texture. The addition of Imperial Sugar Extra Fine Granulated Sugar, vanilla extract, and baking powder works harmoniously to create a sweet, fragrant base. Cocoa powder is then folded in, giving the masa its deep chocolate hue and rich flavor. Finally, masa harina, specifically designed for tamales, is incorporated along with evaporated milk infused with cinnamon. The evaporated milk not only adds a creamy richness but also helps to create a moist masa. The chopped pecans and dried cherries are mixed directly into this glorious dough, ensuring every bite of the steamed tamale is bursting with flavor and delightful texture. This method guarantees a cohesive and incredibly flavorful tamale, where the sweet dough itself is a star.
Related Recipe: Coricos – A Taste of Tradition
If you’re looking for other traditional Mexican sweets to complement your holiday spread, consider making Coricos. These delicate corn cookies, often shaped into rings, offer a unique texture and subtle sweetness that is distinctly Mexican. They are a wonderful accompaniment to coffee or a light dessert, perfect for diversifying your holiday offerings alongside these rich Chocolate Cherry Tamales. Exploring different regional recipes like Coricos enhances the overall experience of Mexican holiday cuisine, demonstrating the rich tapestry of flavors and traditions available.
Chocolate Cherry Tamales with Pecans Recipe
No reviews
Author: Ericka Sanchez
Description
Tamales are incredibly versatile, spanning a spectrum of flavors from savory to sweet. They are a beloved culinary tradition, particularly prominent in Mexico where they are ceremonially served starting December 16th for the Posadas and continue to be a staple throughout the holiday season, culminating on Candlemas Day in February. These particular dessert tamales offer a delightful sweet twist, infused with the subtle tang of cherry and the satisfying crunch of chopped pecans, creating a rich and complex texture. For an extra touch of indulgence and visual appeal, serve them warm with a generous dollop of whipped cream or sweet cream, and pair them with a steaming cup of traditional champurrado for the ultimate cozy holiday experience. They are a perfect sweet ending to any festive gathering, offering both tradition and innovation in every bite.
Ingredients for Chocolate Cherry Pecan Tamales
Scale
- 50 large corn husks, for wrapping tamales
- ½ cup vegetable shortening, at room temperature
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 2 (12 ounce) cans evaporated milk
- 1 4-inch cinnamon stick, for infusing milk
- 1 3/4 cups Imperial Sugar Extra Fine Granulated Sugar, or your preferred brand
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder, to ensure fluffy tamales
- 5 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder, for rich chocolate flavor
- 4 cups masa harina for tamales, specifically for preparing tamale dough
- ½ cup finely chopped pecans, for texture and nutty flavor
- ½ cup dried cherries, finely chopped (cranberries can be used as a substitute)
- Sweet cream or freshly whipped cream, for a luxurious topping
- Whole maraschino cherries, for a festive garnish
- Fresh mint sprigs, for a touch of color and refreshing aroma
Step-by-Step Instructions for Making Sweet Tamales
- Prepare the Corn Husks: Begin by placing all 50 corn husks into a very large bowl or clean basin. Pour enough warm water over them to ensure they are completely submerged. Use your hands to press them down, ensuring every husk gets wet. This crucial step softens the husks, making them pliable and easy to work with when spreading the masa and folding the tamales. Allow them to soak for a minimum of 1 hour, or even overnight for best results. Once softened, drain the water and separate the husks, discarding any torn or unusable ones.
- Cream the Fats: In a generously sized mixing bowl, combine the vegetable shortening and the softened unsalted butter. Using an electric mixer, beat the mixture on medium-high speed for at least 8 minutes. This lengthy creaming process is vital; it incorporates air into the fats, which will result in an incredibly light and fluffy masa dough, a hallmark of excellent tamales. The mixture should become noticeably pale and creamy, almost whipped in consistency.
- Infuse the Milk: While the fats are creaming, turn your attention to the evaporated milk. Pour both cans of evaporated milk into a small saucepan and add the 4-inch cinnamon stick. Place the saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the milk just begins to simmer gently. Do not allow it to boil vigorously. Once it simmers, remove the saucepan from the heat and set it aside to cool completely to room temperature. This step allows the cinnamon to infuse its warm, aromatic flavor into the milk, which will later enrich the tamale dough. Once cooled, remove and discard the cinnamon stick.
- Combine Wet Ingredients and Dry: With the creamy fat mixture ready, gradually add the granulated sugar to the bowl, mixing on low speed until it is fully incorporated and the mixture is smooth and creamy. Next, add the vanilla extract, baking powder, and unsweetened cocoa powder. Mix on medium speed for about 3 minutes until all ingredients are thoroughly combined and the mixture is uniformly chocolate-colored. Now, begin adding the masa harina for tamales, one cup at a time, ensuring it is well mixed after each addition. Continue until all 4 cups of masa harina are incorporated and the dough has a consistent texture. Finally, gently fold in the finely chopped pecans and dried cherries. Be careful not to overmix at this stage; simply ensure the nuts and fruit are evenly distributed throughout the dough. The masa should be light and fluffy, passing the “float test” if you drop a small piece into cold water (it should float).
- Assemble the Tamales: Take a softened corn husk and pat it dry. Hold the husk with the wider end at the top. Spread approximately 2-3 tablespoons of the chocolate cherry masa evenly over the wider part of the husk, leaving a border of about 1 inch at the top and sides, and a larger border at the narrow bottom. You can use the back of a spoon or a masa spreader tool for this.
- Fold and Fill: Once the masa is spread, fold one side of the husk over the masa, then fold the other side to overlap, forming a neat packet. Fold the narrow bottom end of the husk up towards the center. Leave the top open. Repeat this process for all the remaining masa and corn husks.
- Steam the Tamales: Arrange the folded tamales vertically, open-end up, in a large steamer pot. You can use a tamale steamer or a large pot with a steamer insert. Add water to the bottom of the pot, ensuring it doesn’t touch the tamales. Cover the pot tightly with a lid and steam for approximately 1 to 1.5 hours. To check for doneness, carefully remove one tamale. If the husk peels away easily from the masa, they are ready. If not, continue steaming and check every 15 minutes.
- Serve and Garnish: Once cooked, allow the tamales to rest in the turned-off steamer for about 10-15 minutes before serving. This helps them firm up slightly. Serve these warm Chocolate Cherry Tamales with Pecans with a dollop of sweet cream or whipped cream. Garnish each tamale with a maraschino cherry and a fresh mint sprig, along with an extra sprinkle of chopped pecans for an irresistible presentation. Enjoy them with a hot cup of champurrado or coffee for a truly traditional Mexican holiday experience!