These easy churros are served with a delicious warm chocolate sauce, for a fun and delicious treat. Super easy to make at home with regular pantry ingredients!
There are many ways and reasons to enjoy food, but for me, one of the most exciting is the opportunity to explore other cultures through their foods. I love discovering new flavours, using different ingredients and seeing common ingredients put together in new and unique ways.
I was familiar with Churros and they may be one of the most widely recognized dishes of Argentina, but I have never eaten one, let alone made them. They've been on my cooking "bucket list" for ages though, so it was long past time to strike that one off.
For some reason, I always assumed that churros were made with a special "churro extruder" type tool. I'm guessing such a thing exists, but all you need is a pastry bag and a medium or large star tip to make the classic churro shape.
The dough mixes up quickly and easily and once the pastry bag is filled, you simply squeeze and then cut the dough so it drops in to the hot oil to cook. Once cooked, the warm churros are sprinkled with cinnamon sugar. I couldn't wait to try one, and I have to say, warm, fresh churros with their sugar coating are absolutely delicious. I could happily eat them plain, but I admit, a dip in the simple chocolate sauce was quite a satisfying bite :)
I absolutely loved the results and am so glad I finally had the chance to try Churros!
Cook's Notes
These are most easily made using a pastry bag fitted with a star tip. That's what makes the ridged shape in the churros. I your don't have these, you can just add the dough to a plastic bag and snip of a corner. You will get a simple tube shape, but they will still be delicious!
Easy Churros with Chocolate Sauce
Ingredients
For the cinnamon sugar:
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
For the chocolate sauce:
- 1 1/4 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup finely chopped semisweet 70% chocolate
For the Churros Dough:
- 1 cup water
- 2 1/2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- Vegetable oil for deep-frying, about 4 cups (1 L)
Instructions
- Cinammon Sugar: In a small bowl, mix the sugar and cinnamon just to combine. Set aside.
- For the chocolate sauce: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, add the cream. Let it come to a gentle simmer, making sure it doesn’t boil. Place the chocolate in a heatproof bowl, then pour the hot cream over the chocolate and cover the bowl with plastic wrap. Allow to sit for 4 minutes, or until the chocolate is melted. Remove the plastic wrap, and whisk or stir to combine. Set aside.
- Churros Dough: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the water, sugar, salt, and vegetable oil. Bring to a boil, then remove the pan from the heat. Using a wooden spoon, beat in the flour until thick paste forms. Return the pan to the heat, and cook for another minute.
- Heat the oil in a heavy-bottomed pot or wok over medium-high heat to 375°F (191°C). Line a baking sheet with paper towels.
- Place the dough into the piping bag. Pipe dough about 2 1/2 inches (6 cm) in length into the oil, use scissors to cut the dough. Do 3 or 4 at a time so as not to overcrowd the pot. Deep-fry until golden brown and crispy, about 4 minutes. Remove using a slotted spoon or spider and let drain on the paper towel–lined baking sheet. Immediately toss with the cinnamon sugar to ensure the coating will stick. Repeat with the remaining batter.
- Serve warm or at room temperature with the chocolate sauce.
Nutrition
Nutritional information provided for general guidance only and should not be relied upon to make personal health decisions.
jessica says
These were absolutely delicious! I substituted the cream for full-fat coconut milk and it turned out delicious. Only thing is, it was pretty much impossible for me to squeeze the dough through the piping bag and star tip. The dough was just too thick and solid that it took all my strength to push a tiny bit out, and the bag split early on. After multiple attempts I ended up having to just use the star tip on its own and manually squeeze bits of dough through it to get the classic churro shape. Any tips on how to get it to squeeze through better??
Jennifer says
Hi Jessica, your substitution of coconut milk probably have made for a thicker batter. You could probably thin with a touch of water stirred into the batter to make it pipe-able.
Kim says
I know it’s been years since this was posted but I figured I’d ask my question and see what happens. Can you make the dough/batter a few hours ahead of time?
Jennifer says
Hi Kim, I haven't tried it with this dough, but just looking at the ingredients, I feel like you could.
Eva says
Is there a way to make these without a piping bag a star shaped thingy? What can I improvise with? Thanks...sounds yummy!
Eva
..
Jennifer says
Hi Eva, You could just use a heavy plastic bag (like a ziploc storage bag) and snip off the corner. Then fill with batter and use it as a piping bag. It won't be star shaped, but will taste just as good.
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
Your churros look just perfect and that chocolate sauce is so tempting!
Jennifer says
Thanks Laura :)
Sarah says
Can we be best friends and you'll bring that over to my house right now? This has to be one of my favorite desserts.. Pinning!!!
Jennifer says
Churros are definitely made for sharing, Sarah! I loved them and will be making again :)
Tricia @ Saving room for dessert says
What an amazing opportunity! Good for you - especially since you get to make amazing recipes like this! They are beautiful and of course the chocolate speaks to me - pinning!
Jennifer says
Thanks Tricia. I'm regretting not trying these sooner ;)
Jen says
I love to experiment with new foods. These churros look perfect and that chocolate sauce is swoon-worthy!
Jennifer says
Thanks so much Jen and that chocolate sauce was perfect!
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar says
Totally with you - making fun new foods is the best. I love this!
Jennifer says
Thanks Katrina :)
Jessica | A Happy Food Dance says
I absolutely love churros- so much so I think I'm going to have them at my wedding! These are beautiful Jennifer, and I must check out this show. It sounds so interesting!
Jennifer says
Thanks Jessica and I think they'd be perfect for your wedding! :)
Jessica | A Happy Food Dance says
I've already been scooping out a churro lady! Unless you're available... ;)
cheri says
Hi Jennifer, what an honor to be asked to cook along with Gusto! your churros look perfect and I bet the chocolate sauce makes them even better.
Jennifer says
Thanks Cheri. The churros were FABULOUS and I can't wait to try some more recipes from the show!
ana @ muy delish says
The show sounds great! I just explored their website and their shows sound very interesting! I'm going to have to check the full episodes. How fun that you got to do this! Congrats!
I grew up eating churros in Mexico and they're one of my favorite things to eat!
Jennifer says
Thanks Ana and I know what you mean. There are a ton of recipes from the show that I'm anxious to try!
Chris Scheuer says
These look totally irresistible! And how fun to cook along with the show!
Jennifer says
Thanks Chris and I'm so looking forward to trying some new things!
Sarah | Broma Bakery says
I completely agree on exploring cultures through food. I get lost in No Reservations and Mind Of A Chef. I have to try out One World Kitchen!!
Jennifer says
There are a lot of great recipes from the show on the Gusto website, Sarah. So many great ones, that you'll have a hard time deciding where to start :)
sue|theviewfromgreatisland says
Our whole family is crazy about churros, we discovered them in a tapas restaurant years ago, and I think they are amazing. Yours look absolutely perfect!
Jennifer says
Thanks Sue. This was my first time making them. But it won't be the last ;)
Toni | BoulderLocavore says
What fun Jennifer! A great way to travel the world in your own kitchen. My kids were just talking about Churros. I made a gluten-free recipe a few years ago after being at Disneyland where churros carts were everywhere but we couldn't eat them. They are definitely a family favorite.
Jennifer says
Thanks Toni. This was my first time trying churros and I'm totally won over. What a nice treat they were :)