Tamales Dulces (Sweet Tamales) Recipe

Name: Tamales Dulces (Sweet Tamales) Recipe
Prep time: 50 min
Cook time: 90 min
Total time: 140 min
Yield: 20 servings
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 1 cup dried hibiscus flowers; 2 whole cardamom pods, lightly cracked open; 2 whole cloves; 1 cinnamon stick; 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger; 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 1 cup granulated sugar; 2 cups water; 2 1/2 cups (240 grams) masa harina; 3/4 cup granulated sugar; 1/2 teaspoon baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon sea salt; 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom; 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves; 1 cup coconut oil; 1 vanilla bean pod, or 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 1 cup rice milk, or other plant-based milk; 25 to 30 corn husks

Sweet dessert tamales feature a lighter masa dough enrobing a vibrant hibiscus jam.

⭐ 4.5 (6 reviews) Prep: 50 minCook: 90 minTotal: 140 minYields: 20 servings

Category Tags:

Dessert

Cuisine Tags:

Mexican

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Instructions

Start a steamer basket in a large pot, adding water just below the basket, and bring to a simmer.
For the filling, combine hibiscus petals, cardamom pods, cloves, cinnamon stick, ginger, nutmeg, sugar, and water in a saucepan; boil then simmer 35 minutes until reduced. Cool 15 minutes, remove whole spices, then blend until smooth.
For the dough, whisk masa harina, sugar, baking powder, salt, and ground spices in one bowl. In another, whip coconut oil 3 minutes. Fold dry ingredients into whipped oil, add vanilla, then gradually whip in rice milk 2-3 minutes until airy.
Soak corn husks in hot water for 5 minutes until soft; tear some into strips for ties.
Spread 1/4 cup dough onto each husk, forming a 3x3 square. Top with 1 tablespoon of hibiscus jam.
Fold husk sides over the filling, fold up the bottom tip, and tie with a husk strip.
Layer tamales folded-end down in the simmering steamer. Cover and steam for 50 minutes, checking water periodically.
Remove tamales and cool before serving.