Spiced Chocolate Tamales
A sweet twist on traditional tamales, infused with cinnamon, chili, and a hint of cocoa for a rich, complex flavor. This Mexican recipe, ready in about 45 minutes, pairs corn masa, diced onion, minced garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 100 calories and feeds 12, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 cups corn masa
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 tsp finely grated lime zest
- 1 tsp coarse salt
- 1/2 cup dark chocolate chunks
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp chili powder
- 1/4 cup warm water
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Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, mix 2 cups corn masa with 1/2 cup diced onion, 1 tbsp minced garlic, 1/4 cup cilantro, 1 tsp lime zest, 1 tsp coarse salt, 1/2 cup dark chocolate chunks, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, and 1/4 tsp chili powder. Add 1/4 cup warm water to form a dough.
- Step 2: Shape into 12 small tamales using corn husks. Steam for 15-20 minutes until tender. Serve with a sprinkle of cinnamon for a warm, spiced finish.
