Sweet Cinnamon Tamal

A delicious Mexican-inspired sweet corn tamal made with masa harina, fresh corn, and warm cinnamon, topped with a creamy mixture of crème fraîche and queso fresco. This baked version offers a modern twist on the traditional steamed tamale.

8 servings
1 hr 47 min

Ingredients

  • 1 spray Nonstick vegetable oil spray
  • cups masa harina
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 4 ears corn
  • ¾ cup unsalted butter
  • ½ cup raw sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup crème fraîche
  • cup queso fresco
  • to taste garnish

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Preheat oven to 325°F. Lightly coat an 8x8" metal baking pan with nonstick spray. Whisk masa, baking powder, salt, and 1 tsp. cinnamon in a medium bowl.

    5 min

  2. 2.

    Pulse corn kernels in a blender or food processor until very coarsely puréed, just a few seconds should do it.

    2 min

  3. 3.

    Using an electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat butter and raw sugar until pale and slightly fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in corn purée and vanilla. Reduce speed to low and beat in dry ingredients; mix until batter is smooth, about 2 minutes. Scrape into prepared pan and cover tightly with foil. Set baking pan inside a large roasting pan; pour in boiling water to come halfway up sides of baking pan.

    10 min

  4. 4.

    Bake tamal until top springs back when lightly pressed and a tester inserted into the center comes out clean, 75-85 minutes. Let cool slightly in pan before serving.

    85 min

  5. 5.

    Mix crème fraîche and 2/3 cup queso fresco in a small bowl. Scoop tamal onto plates and top with crème fraîche mixture, more queso fresco, and a dusting of cinnamon.

    5 min