Alegrías de Amaranto (Mexican Amaranth Bars)

Nov 7, 2026 · By VanillaGoods

Dessert Candy confections Medium

Alegrías de Amaranto (Mexican Amaranth Bars)

Alegrías are crunchy-chewy bars of puffed amaranth bound with a hot syrup of piloncillo and honey and pressed into a pan. The tops are studded with pumpkin seeds, raisins and walnuts, and the toasty grain gives them a light, nutty crunch. Makes 16 pieces in about 2 hr.

Prep 15 min

Cook 15 min

Cooling 1 hr 30 min

Total 2 hr

Yield 16 pieces

Diet Gluten free

Ingredients

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pieces

7 oz (200 g)puffed amaranth, popped, not raw grain
1 cup (200 g)piloncillo, finely chopped or grated
¼ cup (60 ml)water
¼ cup (85 g)honey
1 tsp (5 ml)fresh lime juice
1 pinchfine salt
3 ½ tbsp (30 g)pumpkin seeds, hulled, toasted
3 ½ tbsp (30 g)raisins
¼ cup (30 g)walnuts, chopped
1 tsp (5 ml)vegetable oil, for the pan and spatula

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Instructions

Line the pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides, and brush the parchment and a flat spatula lightly with the vegetable oil. Put the puffed amaranth in a large heatproof bowl.
In a small heavy saucepan, combine the piloncillo, water and fine salt and heat over medium, stirring, until the piloncillo melts completely, 3 to 5 minutes.
Stir in the honey and fresh lime juice, clip on a candy thermometer and boil without stirring until the syrup reaches 250°F (121°C), 6 to 10 minutes. It will be thick and bubbly with large, slow bubbles.
Immediately pour the hot syrup over the puffed amaranth and stir quickly with an oiled spoon until every grain is coated.
Scrape the mixture into the prepared pan and press it very firmly and evenly with the oiled spatula (or a sheet of parchment and the bottom of a glass) into a compact layer.
Scatter the pumpkin seeds, raisins and walnuts over the top and press them in firmly so they stick.
Let cool 15 minutes, then lift out by the parchment and cut into 16 squares with an oiled knife while still slightly warm. Let the pieces cool completely, about 30 minutes, until firm.

Tips

Buy puffed (popped) amaranth, sold in Mexican groceries and health food stores; raw amaranth grain will not work.
Work fast once the syrup is ready: the mixture stiffens within a few minutes. Warm it briefly in a low oven if it sets before you finish pressing.
Press harder than you think; well-compacted alegrías hold together and do not crumble.
Cook the syrup to 250°F (121°C) on a candy thermometer; hot sugar syrup causes serious burns, so keep children away and handle the pan with care.

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Recipe FAQ

How long does it take to make alegrías de amaranto (mexican amaranth bars)?

Plan on 15 minutes of prep and 15 minutes of cooking, plus 1 hour 30 minutes to chill and rest. The recipe makes 16 pieces.

How should I store alegrías de amaranto (mexican amaranth bars)?

Store airtight at room temperature, layered with parchment, up to 1 week. Keep away from humidity, which makes them sticky.

Can I make alegrías de amaranto (mexican amaranth bars) ahead?

It is at its best the day it is made; prepare it a few hours before serving.

Alegrías are made across central Mexico from puffed amaranth bound with piloncillo and honey, and Santiago Tulyehualco in Xochimilco, Mexico City, celebrates them each year at its Feria de la Alegría y el Olivo. Serve it with hot chamomile or green tea.

Variations

Classic plain alegrías: leave off the toppings for the simplest amaranth-and-piloncillo version; time unchanged.
Bite-size rounds: press the warm mixture into a 1 1/2-inch (4 cm) round cutter set on parchment to make about 30 small discs.
Orange-zest version: stir 1 tsp (2 g) finely grated orange zest into the syrup just before pouring it over the amaranth.
Chocolate-dipped: dip the bottoms of the cooled bars in 100 g (3 1/2 oz) melted dark chocolate and let set 20 minutes.

Estimated · per serving

Nutrition

Per serving = 1 of 16 servings this recipe makes.

138 Calories / serving

3.0g Fat

26.7g Carbs

2.7g Protein

16.4g Sugar

Whole recipe (16 servings): ~2208 cal · 48g fat · 427g carbs · 43g protein · 262g sugar

Estimated values per serving, calculated from standard ingredient data. Not verified Nutrition Facts; actual values vary with brands, measurements, and preparation.

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