Tsokolate de Batirol is the ultimate treat! This Filipino hot chocolate drink, made of tablea cacao, milk, and peanut butter, is creamy, decadent, and like a warm hug in a mug.
My childhood was filled with delicious memories of this rich and creamy Filipino beverage. My Mamang Vi, my mom's eldest sister, is one of the most selfless people I know. She would always prepare a massive pot on Christmas for the nieces and nephews to enjoy throughout the day.
I remember us, then little ones, gathered around her in the kitchen, watching and waiting earnestly while she vigorously twirled the batidor between her hands to introduce inviting froth into the hot drink. We could hardly wait to take our first taste of the rich chocolate!
Her tsokolate de batirol was special, with a couple of tablespoons of peanut butter added for extra indulgence. Yes, PB! Folks, peanut butter and chocolate = the best combo ever. To this day, this decadent drink remains one of my favorite comforts. Rain or shine, holiday or not, I enjoy a cup or two every night before tucking myself in bed. Every sip is like a warm hug that makes everything better.
Ingredient notes
- Milk- You can use water for a more intense chocolate flavor or dairy milk for a creamier taste. You can swap part of the milk with heavy cream for a richer flavor. Use coconut, soy, or any nut milk for a vegan option.
- Tablea de Cacao- roasted, ground cacao beans shaped into disks. They're available in pure chocolate, with added milk and sugar, or sugar only. The recipe below uses Antonio Pueo tablea with sugar. If using unsweetened pure cacao, add your choice of sweetener according to taste.
- Peanut Butter- use a creamy variety for a smooth drink
How to Make Tsokolate de Batirol
- Simmer- Heat milk in a saucepan over medium heat until bubbles form around the edge and steam rises from the milk. Do not boil the milk, lest it separate and curdle. Stir regularly to prevent a film layer from forming.
- Stir in chocolate- Add the tablea and continue to cook, whisking with the batidor, until completely dissolved. I use 7 ounces of tablea for every 4 cups of milk; feel free to use more or less depending on the brand you use or how strong you want the drink.
- Add peanut butter and whisk until well blended.
- Whisk- Remove from heat and twirl the batidor in the chocolate mixture until frothy. If using a mechanical frother, insert the frother whisk into the serving pot, holding it at a slight angle. Turn it on and move it up and down until the drink is frothy. Pour into individual mugs and serve immediately.
Quick tips
- Batidor is the traditional tool for whipping the tsokalate, but you can also use a wooden spoon, whisk, mechanical frother, or immersion blender.
- Traditional tsokolate can be a little gritty. For a smoother texture, strain using a fine-mesh sieve.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Cacao Tablea last?
Tablea lasts two years when stored unopened in a cool, dry place.
Due to changes in storage temperature or humidity, a white, powdery, or streaky substance may form on the surface of the chocolate. Although this whitish coating or "bloom" can affect the appearance and texture of the chocolate, it is perfectly safe to eat.
How to serve and store
- I usually enjoy my steaming mug of tsokolateng tablea with cheese cupcakes or coconut macaroons for merienda. I also love to dip pandesal in hot chocolate instead of coffee for breakfast. And during the Christmas season? The ultimate pairing, of course, is freshly-baked bibingka and tsokolate!
- You can make the chocolate drink extra fancy by adding a dollop of whipped cream and garnishes such as chocolate shavings, cinnamon powder, or mini marshmallows.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container and refrigerated for up to 3 days. Reheat in a saucepan over medium heat.
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Instructions
- In a saucepan over medium heat, heat milk just until bubbles begin to form around the edge and steam begins to rise from the milk. Stir regularly to prevent a film layer from forming.
- Add the tablea and continue to cook, whisking with the batidor, until completely dissolved.
- Add peanut butter and whisk until dissolved.
- Remove from heat and twirl the batidor in the chocolate mixture for about 1 to 2 minutes or until frothy.
- If using a mechanical frother, insert frother whisk into the serving pot and holding at a slight angle, turn on and move up and down for about 30 to 40 seconds or until frothy.
- Pour into individual mugs and serve immediately.
Notes
- I used Antonio Pueo tablea cacao brand, which contains sugar. If you are using pure tablea, sweeten the drink with sugar to taste.
- Traditional tsokolate can be a little gritty. For a smoother texture, strain using a fine-mesh sieve.
Video
Nutrition Information
โThis website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.โ
wilhem acorin says
gud day maam.na try ko today ang tsokolate ,ang sarap,mas lalo syang masarap pag may peanut butter.naka dalawang tasa ako.maraming salamat sa recipe.i used choco condense milk instead of sugar
Lalaine Manalo says
Thank you sa feedback. I am glad you enjoyed it ๐
Ramon says
Great recipe! Just like my Lola used to make. Lalaine, do you have a Recipe for CHOCOLATE SAUCE -- the kind used for "Churros con Chocolate. " My Lola used to make that chocolate sauce too, It was almost too thick to drink. We used it as dipping sauce for hard pan de sal (which we could buy at the sari-sari store at 3 for 5 centavos). This was way back in 1953 when Coca-Cola cost 10 centavos only. So -- no need for Lola to make churros from scratch.
Lalaine Manalo says
I don't have a chocolate sauce recipe yet but have it on my list ๐ I love churros!
JE says
Thanks for sharing this recipe, Lalaine. I too, use the battery operated frother. Mine has lasted a while. It's the Aerolatte frother & the $5 coupon from Bed Bath & Beyond helped a lot when I bought it, lol!
This said, I think this, & other items like the rice cooker, pressure cooker, slow cooker, etc., are such a big help in saving time nowadays.
Lalaine says
Hello JE
Yes, these kitchen gadgets make cooking more fun ๐
Mia says
For a long time I wanted to buy pure tableya and batidor here in the US. Thanks for sharing your tsokolate recipe with peanut butter and also the links where I can buy them. I'll sure try this one. The link to the electric batidor doesn't work though.
Lalaine says
Thanks, Mia. Fixed the links ๐