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Ring In Navidad With The Holiday Treat 'Tamales Dulces'

ST. PAUL, Minn. (WCCO)- For as long as anyone can remember, Mexican families have been gathering around at Christmas time to make "tamales dulces."

Milissa Silva-Diaz and her mother Maria are keeping the tradition alive at El Burrito Mercado in St Paul.

"Tamales go back from the Aztecan, Mayan civilizations," Milissa said. "And because it's such a great comfort food and it travels well."

These dessert tamales are the sweet treat version of meat-filled tamales you'd have at dinner time.

"It depends on the region that you come from. Like if you come from the state of Monterrey, you're going to get little tamales," Maria said. 'And then the bigger ones are more like from the central part of Mexico."

Wrapped in cornhusks, these steam-cooked goodies are quite filling and usually served with atole - a thick, corn dough or starch-based hot drink.

You can either enjoy them at El Burrito Mercado, or you can buy the ready-made kits to make them at home this Christmas.

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