Mole Mo Lay Sauce

Discover the rich, complex flavors of authentic Mexican cuisine with this vibrant Mole Mo Lay Sauce recipe, a decadent blend of dried chiles, earthy spices, and velvety dark chocolate. This traditional recipe starts with toasting ancho, guajillo, and pasilla chiles to unlock their deep, smoky flavors, which are then paired with fragrant cinnamon, cumin, and cloves. A unique mix of ingredients like peanuts, raisins, and even a torn corn tortilla adds depth to this silky sauce, while finely chopped dark chocolate lends a luxurious finish. Perfect served over chicken, pork, or roasted vegetables, this hearty sauce comes together in under an hour and makes six servings. Whether you’re new to mole or a seasoned fan, this recipe is your gateway to one of Mexico’s most celebrated dishes.

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 3 whole dried ancho chiles
• 3 whole dried guajillo chiles
• 2 whole dried pasilla chiles
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 medium, diced white onion
• 4 whole, peeled garlic cloves
• 2 medium, chopped roma tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons unsalted peanuts
• 2 tablespoons raisins
• 1 small, torn into pieces corn tortilla
• 0.5 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 0.5 teaspoons ground cumin
• 0.25 teaspoons ground cloves
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 2 ounces, finely chopped dark chocolate
• 1 teaspoon (or to taste) salt
• 1 teaspoon (optional, to taste) sugar

Directions

Step 1

Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Toast the ancho, guajillo, and pasilla chiles for 2 minutes on each side or until fragrant. Remove from the skillet, allow to cool slightly, and then remove the stems and seeds.

Step 2

Put the toasted chiles in a bowl and cover them with 2 cups of hot water. Let them soak for 15 minutes until softened. Reserve the soaking liquid.

Step 3

In the same skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil over medium heat. Sauté the onion and garlic until softened and golden, about 4 minutes.

Step 4

Add the chopped tomatoes, peanuts, raisins, and torn pieces of tortilla to the skillet. Cook for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the ingredients soften.

Step 5

Add the cinnamon, cumin, and cloves to the skillet. Stir well to distribute the spices evenly.

Step 6

Combine the softened chiles, their soaking liquid, and the skillet ingredients in a blender or food processor. Purée until you have a smooth mixture. If the mixture is too thick, add additional chicken broth, a little at a time, to achieve a smooth consistency.

Step 7

Return the blended mixture to the skillet over medium heat. Add the remaining chicken broth gradually while stirring. Let the mixture simmer for 20 minutes, stirring frequently.

Step 8

Stir in the dark chocolate and let it melt completely into the sauce. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and, if needed, sugar.

Step 9

Allow the mole sauce to simmer gently for another 5 minutes. Remove from heat and serve warm over your choice of protein or vegetables.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1483.1 grams (1483.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1347

Total Fat 79.40g	102%
Saturated Fat 18.80g	94%
Polyunsaturated Fat 25.60g
Cholesterol 4mg	1%
Sodium 4681mg	204%
Total Carbohydrate 145.20g	53%
Dietary Fiber 33.30g	119%
Total Sugars 65.90g
Protein 38.80g	78%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 317mg	24%
Iron 18mg	101%
Potassium 3631mg	77%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 49.3%

Protein: 10.7%

Carbs: 40.0%