Churros Recipe
Churros, the beloved Spanish delicacy, have become a global sensation, captivating hearts and taste buds worldwide. These golden, crispy treats, often dusted with cinnamon sugar and served with a luscious chocolate dipping sauce, offer a delightful combination of flavors and textures. Making churros at home can transform your kitchen into a charming café, allowing you to indulge in a freshly made batch of these delightful pastries.
The perfect homemade churros experience is within reach, and this recipe will guide you through each step, ensuring that your churros are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and utterly irresistible.
Ingredients Breakdown
To create the perfect churros, you’ll need a selection of simple yet essential ingredients.
Essential Ingredients for Churros
The base of our churros consists of all-purpose flour, unsalted butter, pure vanilla extract, kosher salt, and eggs. Each component plays a crucial role in achieving the ideal texture and flavor.
All-purpose flour (1 cup / 120 g.): Provides the structure for the dough.
Unsalted butter (6 Tbsp. / 85 g.): Adds richness and flavor.
Pure vanilla extract (1 tsp.): Infuses the dough with a subtle sweetness.
Kosher salt (1 tsp.): Enhances the overall flavor.
Eggs (2 large): Bind the dough and contribute to the airy texture.
Granulated sugar (1 cup, divided): Sweetens the dough and creates a delightful cinnamon sugar coating.
Ground cinnamon (1/4 cup): Adds a warm, spicy note to the coating.
Vegetable oil: Necessary for frying, ensuring a crispy exterior.
Ingredients for the Chocolate Dipping Sauce
The chocolate dipping sauce elevates churros to a whole new level, providing a rich, velvety complement to the crunchy pastries.
Dark chocolate chips (3/4 cup): Choose high-quality chocolate for the best flavor.
Heavy cream (3/4 cup): Creates a smooth, luxurious texture.
Ground cinnamon (1 tsp.): Adds depth and warmth to the sauce.
Kosher salt (1/4 tsp.): Balances the sweetness and enhances the chocolate’s richness.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Creating churros at home involves several key steps to ensure a delicious outcome.
Preparing the Churro Dough
In a sizable saucepan over medium heat, combine the butter, 2 tablespoons of sugar, and 1 cup of water. Bring this mixture to a boil, then stir in the vanilla extract. Once boiling, remove from the heat and add the flour and kosher salt. Stir vigorously with a wooden spoon until the mixture thickens, approximately 30 seconds. Allow it to cool for about 10 minutes.
Adding Vanilla and Incorporating Flour
After cooling, the dough is ready for the next step. Using a handheld mixer on medium speed, incorporate the eggs one at a time, beating thoroughly after each addition. This step ensures the dough is smooth and well combined.
Piping and Frying the Churros
Fill a large pot halfway with vegetable oil and heat it over medium-high heat until the oil reaches 375°F, as indicated by a deep-fry thermometer. Holding the piping bag a few inches above the oil, carefully pipe the churro dough into 6-inch ropes, cutting the dough with kitchen scissors as needed. Fry the churros in batches, turning them occasionally, until they are golden brown, which should take about 4 to 5 minutes. Ensure the oil temperature remains at 375°F between batches.
Rolling in Cinnamon Sugar
Immediately after frying, use a slotted spoon or tongs to roll the hot churros in the cinnamon sugar mixture. This step ensures an even coating, adding a delightful crunch and sweetness to each bite.
Making the Chocolate Dipping Sauce
The chocolate dipping sauce is a simple yet decadent accompaniment to churros.
Melting the Chocolate Chips with Hot Cream
Place the dark chocolate chips in a medium heatproof bowl. In a small saucepan, heat the heavy cream over medium heat until it begins to simmer. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate chips and let it sit for 2 minutes.
Adding Cinnamon and Salt for Extra Depth
Add the ground cinnamon and kosher salt to the melted chocolate and cream, then whisk until the mixture is smooth and well combined. The cinnamon adds warmth, while the salt balances the sweetness, creating a well-rounded flavor.
Recipe Tips & Frequently Asked Questions
Best Practices for Making Churros
Maintaining Oil Temperature: Consistent oil temperature ensures even frying and prevents soggy churros.
Achieving the Right Dough Consistency: Ensure the dough is thick and smooth for easy piping.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Preventing Soggy or Burnt Churros: Monitor oil temperature and frying time to achieve perfect churros.
How to Store Leftover Churros
Tips for Reheating: Reheat churros in the oven to maintain their crispy texture.
Can the Dough Be Made Ahead of Time?
Storage and Preparation Tips: Store the dough in the refrigerator and bring it to room temperature before frying.
Alternative Dipping Sauces
Creative Variations to Try: Experiment with caramel, fruit sauces, or flavored whipped creams.
What to Serve With This Recipe
Churros pair wonderfully with various beverages and additional dipping sauces.
Pairing Suggestions for Churros
Enjoy churros with a hot cup of coffee, a creamy hot chocolate, or even a glass of chilled milk.
Complementary Beverages
Hot beverages like espresso or spiced tea enhance the experience of enjoying freshly made churros.
Additional Dipping Sauces
Explore other dipping options such as caramel sauce, vanilla custard, or berry compote to add variety and excitement to your churro experience.
In summary, making churros at home is a rewarding culinary adventure. With a crisp exterior and a tender, airy interior, these delightful pastries are sure to impress. The rich chocolate dipping sauce adds a luxurious touch, making every bite a moment of pure indulgence. Try this recipe and bring the magic of churros into your kitchen. Share your creations with friends and family, and enjoy the irresistible charm of homemade churros.
Ingredients:
CHURROS
1 c. (120 g.) all-purpose flour
6 Tbsp. (85 g.) unsalted butter
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1 tsp. kosher salt
2 large eggs
1 c. granulated sugar, divided
2 Tbsp. granulated sugar
1/4 c. ground cinnamon
Vegetable oil, for frying
CHOCOLATE DIPPING SAUCE
3/4 c. dark chocolate chips
3/4 c. heavy cream
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. kosher salt
Instructions:
CHURROS
- In a sizable saucepan set over medium heat, combine the butter, 2 tablespoons of sugar, and 1 cup of water. Bring this mixture to a boil, then stir in the vanilla extract. Once boiling, remove from the heat and add the flour and kosher salt. Stir the mixture vigorously with a wooden spoon until it thickens, approximately 30 seconds. Allow it to cool for about 10 minutes.
- As the dough cools, combine the remaining 1 cup of sugar with the ground cinnamon on a rimmed baking sheet or a large plate.
- Using a handheld mixer on medium speed, incorporate the eggs one at a time into the dough, beating thoroughly after each addition. Transfer this mixture into a piping bag fitted with a large open star tip.
- Fill a large pot halfway with vegetable oil and heat it over medium-high heat until the oil reaches 375°F, as indicated by a deep-fry thermometer. Holding the piping bag a few inches above the oil, carefully pipe the churro dough into 6-inch ropes, cutting the dough with kitchen scissors as needed.
- Fry the churros in batches, turning them occasionally, until they are golden brown, which should take about 4 to 5 minutes. Ensure the oil temperature remains at 375°F between batches. Using a slotted spoon or tongs, immediately roll the fried churros in the cinnamon sugar mixture, then place them on a wire rack to cool slightly.
CHOCOLATE DIPPING SAUCE
- Place the dark chocolate chips in a medium heatproof bowl. In a small saucepan, heat the heavy cream over medium heat until it begins to simmer. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate chips and let it sit for 2 minutes. Add the ground cinnamon and kosher salt, then whisk until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Arrange the churros on a serving platter and present them with the chocolate dipping sauce on the side for a delightful treat.
Churros Recipe
Ingredients
CHURROS
- 1 c. 120 g. all-purpose flour
- 6 Tbsp. 85 g. unsalted butter
- 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
- 1 tsp. kosher salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 c. granulated sugar divided
- 2 Tbsp. granulated sugar
- 1/4 c. ground cinnamon
- Vegetable oil for frying
CHOCOLATE DIPPING SAUCE
- 3/4 c. dark chocolate chips
- 3/4 c. heavy cream
- 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp. kosher salt
Instructions
CHURROS
- In a sizable saucepan set over medium heat, combine the butter, 2 tablespoons of sugar, and 1 cup of water. Bring this mixture to a boil, then stir in the vanilla extract. Once boiling, remove from the heat and add the flour and kosher salt. Stir the mixture vigorously with a wooden spoon until it thickens, approximately 30 seconds. Allow it to cool for about 10 minutes.
- As the dough cools, combine the remaining 1 cup of sugar with the ground cinnamon on a rimmed baking sheet or a large plate.
- Using a handheld mixer on medium speed, incorporate the eggs one at a time into the dough, beating thoroughly after each addition. Transfer this mixture into a piping bag fitted with a large open star tip.
- Fill a large pot halfway with vegetable oil and heat it over medium-high heat until the oil reaches 375°F, as indicated by a deep-fry thermometer. Holding the piping bag a few inches above the oil, carefully pipe the churro dough into 6-inch ropes, cutting the dough with kitchen scissors as needed.
- Fry the churros in batches, turning them occasionally, until they are golden brown, which should take about 4 to 5 minutes. Ensure the oil temperature remains at 375°F between batches. Using a slotted spoon or tongs, immediately roll the fried churros in the cinnamon sugar mixture, then place them on a wire rack to cool slightly.
CHOCOLATE DIPPING SAUCE
- Place the dark chocolate chips in a medium heatproof bowl. In a small saucepan, heat the heavy cream over medium heat until it begins to simmer. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate chips and let it sit for 2 minutes. Add the ground cinnamon and kosher salt, then whisk until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Arrange the churros on a serving platter and present them with the chocolate dipping sauce on the side for a delightful treat.