Homemade Cinnamon Churros: Your Ultimate Guide to This Sweet Deep-Fried Delight

There are few treats as universally beloved and satisfying as a warm, crispy churro, generously coated in a shimmering mixture of cinnamon and sugar. This iconic deep-fried pastry, with its distinctive ridged exterior and soft, fluffy interior, holds a special place in the hearts of dessert lovers worldwide. Originating from Spain and Portugal, churros have transcended cultural boundaries, becoming a staple at Mexican markets, American theme parks, and family kitchens alike. They represent simple indulgence – a perfectly crunchy bite that melts in your mouth, leaving behind a comforting sweetness and a hint of spice.

A Sweet Trip Down Memory Lane: My Churro Journey

Have you ever experienced the sheer delight of a freshly made churro? For me, it’s a taste sensation that instantly transports me back to cherished moments. I’ve had them perhaps half a dozen times in my life, and each experience has been memorable. A churro is more than just a deep-fried dough; it’s a Spanish pastry, wonderfully crunchy without being greasy, sweet but never cloying. When I lived in South Florida, particularly Miami, these delightful treats were a common sight. You could easily find street vendors or bakeries whipping them up, and the golden rule was always to enjoy them fresh, straight from the fryer. That perfect combination of warmth, crispness, and the fragrant cinnamon sugar was simply unbeatable.

After moving to Georgia some 15 years ago, churros drifted from my immediate thoughts, becoming a fond but distant memory. That is, until a magical family trip two years ago to Disney and Universal Studios. This adventure reignited my love affair with these delectable pastries. Speaking of Universal, if you’re a Harry Potter fan – and our family certainly is, having devoured every book and watched the movies countless times – you absolutely *must* visit Universal in Orlando. Stepping into the Wizarding World, especially Hogsmeade, is an immersive experience unlike any other. You truly feel transported to Hogwarts itself! And let’s not forget the Butterbeer – oh, that glorious Butterbeer! I could easily make myself sick on that delightful concoction. One particularly magical moment during our visit was at Ollivanders Wand Shop. They recreate the iconic scene from the movie where Harry picks out his wand, and to our absolute joy, they chose my son to play Harry. It was a moment in time I know he will never forget, and neither will I.

Apologies, I got wonderfully sidetracked by the magic of wizarding! Anyway, amidst all the excitement at Universal, we naturally indulged in churros. The kids absolutely adored them, and seeing their faces light up as they bit into the warm, sugary goodness instantly sparked a mission within me: I knew I had to find a recipe to recreate that magic at home. Life, as it often does, continued its busy pace, and the churro quest temporarily faded into the background. Then, serendipitously, I stumbled upon a blog called Mowielicious. Her photography, simply put, is fabulous and utterly captivating. I can’t even recall how I found her – perhaps through a Pinterest rabbit hole – but her images drew me in. Her churros, in particular, looked like works of art, often served alongside a rich, decadent chocolate dipping sauce. It was her recipe that truly sealed my fate and brought churros back into my life.

While I did have to perform a few conversions to American standard measurements, Mowielicious’s instructions were remarkably clear and easy to follow. To my delight, my homemade churros turned out just like we all remembered them – perfectly crispy, sweet, and utterly delicious. The joy of recreating that theme park experience in my own kitchen, sharing fresh, warm churros with my family, was truly priceless. It’s a testament to how simple ingredients can create such extraordinary happiness.

Mastering the Art of Homemade Cinnamon Churros

Making churros at home might seem daunting, but it’s a surprisingly straightforward process that yields incredibly rewarding results. The base of a churro is a simple choux pastry, similar to what you’d use for cream puffs or eclairs. This dough is cooked on the stovetop, then enriched with eggs, which gives the churros their characteristic light and airy interior once fried. The key to perfect churros lies in maintaining the right oil temperature and ensuring your dough is properly prepared.

The texture of a well-made churro is truly unique – a delightful contrast between the crunchy, golden-brown exterior and the soft, almost custardy inside. Each ridge catches the cinnamon sugar beautifully, ensuring every bite is a burst of sweet spice. While often enjoyed on their own, churros are also fantastic when paired with a rich chocolate dipping sauce, dulce de leche, or even a simple caramel sauce. They make for an unforgettable dessert, a fun snack for parties, or a special weekend treat.

Let’s dive into the specifics of crafting these delicious cinnamon churros. Below, you’ll find a detailed recipe that has been tried and tested, guaranteeing a delicious outcome that will impress your family and friends. Get ready to fill your kitchen with the irresistible aroma of fried dough and cinnamon!

Cinnamon Churros

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup butter
• 1 cup plus 1 tablespoon water
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cup flour, sifted
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 3 eggs beaten
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• oil for frying
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon

Instructions

1. Prepare Your Workspace: Before you begin, gather all your equipment. You’ll need a heavy medium saucepan for the churro batter and a separate, deep pan for frying. Line a cookie sheet with several layers of paper towels to create a draining station for your freshly fried churros. In a large plastic bag, combine the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon; shake well to mix, then set this aside – this will be your cinnamon sugar coating. Keep a damp cloth or sponge nearby; this dough can be quite sticky! Finally, prepare a pastry bag fitted with a large star tip.
2. Make the Choux Pastry: In your heavy medium saucepan, bring the butter and water to a rolling boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, immediately remove the pan from the heat. Using a sturdy hand mixer or a strong spoon, quickly add the salt, sifted flour, and 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon to the hot liquid. Beat vigorously until the mixture comes together and starts to form a dough. At first, it may appear crumbly, but keep mixing until it forms a cohesive ball. Next, add the beaten eggs and vanilla extract. Continue to beat the dough until it becomes completely smooth, glossy, and well combined. This is a crucial step for achieving the right churro texture.
3. Fry to Golden Perfection: Heat your oil in the second deep pan to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). It’s essential to use a thermometer to maintain this temperature for even cooking and perfectly crispy churros. Carefully transfer the prepared dough into the pastry bag. Once the oil is hot, gently pipe the dough directly into the hot oil, cutting off lengths with a knife or kitchen shears as desired (typically 4-6 inches long). Fry the churros for about 3 minutes, turning them halfway through to ensure even browning. They should turn a beautiful golden-brown color. Carefully remove the fried churros from the oil with a slotted spoon or tongs and place them on the paper towel-lined cookie sheet to drain for a few minutes, allowing any excess oil to drip off.
4. Coat and Serve: While still warm, transfer the drained churros into the plastic bag with the cinnamon sugar mixture. Shake the bag gently but thoroughly to ensure each churro is evenly coated in the sweet, fragrant blend. Repeat this process with the remaining dough, frying and coating in batches. Serve your homemade cinnamon churros immediately for the best experience, perhaps with a side of rich chocolate dipping sauce or dulce de leche!

Notes

If you don’t have a pastry bag or a star tip, don’t let that deter you from trying this fantastic recipe! You can still make delicious churros. Simply use two spoons to drop small balls or irregular shapes of dough into the heated oil. They might not have the traditional ridged shape, but they will still taste absolutely fantastic and bring all the same joy.

For an extra touch of indulgence, consider serving these churros with a homemade chocolate dipping sauce. A simple ganache made with melted chocolate and warm heavy cream works wonders. Or, for a classic Spanish treat, a thick hot chocolate is the perfect companion.

Recipe source: Chocolatechocolateandmore.com

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Adapted from Mowielicious

Explore More Fried Delights!

Want more fried yumminess in your life? There’s something undeniably comforting and utterly delicious about freshly fried foods. From savory to sweet, the possibilities are endless. If you enjoyed making these homemade cinnamon churros, you might love exploring some of these other fantastic deep-fried recipes. Get ready to expand your repertoire of crispy, golden treats!

Buttermilk Beignets – French Donuts

Easy Beer Battered Onion Rings

Easy Gourmet Donuts

Crispy Fried Zucchini

Sweet Fried Candied Pecans