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–+ servings

Atole de Calabaza (Pumpkin Atole)

by Gemma Aguayo-Murphy
Atole de Calabaza is a warm, creamy Mexican pumpkin drink made with homemade pumpkin purée, piloncillo, and warming spices. Thickened with masa harina or cornstarch, this traditional atole is comforting, nourishing, and easy to make dairy-free.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Drinks
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 6
Calories 190 kcal

Equipment

  • Medium Pot
  • Blender
  • whisk or molinillo

Ingredients
  

  • 5 cups water, divided
  • 1 Ceylon cinnamon stick
  • ¼ cup masa harina or cornstarch
  • 3 cups homemade pumpkin puree
  • 3.5 cups whole milk or almond milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 2-4 tablespoon granulated piloncillo or brown sugar only If needed for extra sweetness

Instructions
 

  • If using masa harina, heat a medium saucepan over low heat. Add the masa harina and toast, stirring constantly, until lightly golden and fragrant, about 2–3 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.(If using cornstarch, do not toast.)
  • In a medium pot, combine 4 cups of water and cinnamon stick. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat until the water is a deep caramel color and fragrant.
  • Transfer the toasted masa harina to a blender and add 1 cup of warm water. Blend until completely smooth, scraping down the sides as needed.
  • Add the homemade pumpkin purée to the blender and blend again until fully combined.
  • Reduce the heat on the cinnamon mixture to low. Slowly pour in the blended pumpkin-masa mixture, whisking constantly to prevent lumps.
  • Stir in the milk and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Do not let it boil. Simmer on low for about 10 minutes, stirring frequently with a whisk or molinillo to prevent sticking.
  • Remove the cinnamon stick. Turn off the heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Taste before adding extra sweetener, as the pumpkin purée already contains piloncillo. If needed, adjust sweetness with granulated piloncillo or brown sugar.
  • Serve warm.

Notes

  • For extra creaminess, you can substitute 1½ cups of the milk with 12 oz evaporated milk.

Nutrition

Serving: 240gCalories: 190kcalCarbohydrates: 27gProtein: 7gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 12mgSodium: 85mgPotassium: 480mgFiber: 4gSugar: 12gVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 160mgIron: 1.5mg
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