Easy Homemade Churros with Chocolate Sauce
My love affair with churros began at the age of 8, when I visited Disneyland with my best friend Jenny. I ate six churros that day and didn’t share a single bite of the foot-long magical wands of dough. But inch by inch they’d shrink in size until all that remained was the sugar-dusted tissue paper—a welcome reminder that the only thing left to do when you reach the end of a churro is cry.
I never could’ve imagined that 19 years later I’d be making churros 3,000 miles away in my kitchen in New York City. But last weekend I found myself perched in front of my stove, squeezing dough into a pot of boiling oil, and fishing out each golden brown churro as it bobbed up and down in a dangerous game of Whac-A-Mole.
Of course a churro isn’t a churro without a cinnamon-sugar shower. But I couldn’t stop there. The crispy batons beg to be dipped and dunked, so I’ve included a quick-fix recipe for warm chocolate dipping sauce. Dip once, dip twice, or dip three times with additional recipes for butterscotch sauce and raspberry sauce.
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Homemade Churros with Chocolate Sauce
Yield: About 10 (4-inch) churros
Prep Time: 20 min
Cook Time: 10 min
Ingredients:
For the churros:
1/2 cup plus 1 1/2 Tablespoons sugar, divided
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 cup water
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 Tablespoons plus 2 quarts vegetable oil, divided
1 cup all-purpose flourFor the chocolate sauce:
3 1/2 ounces dark chocolate, chopped
1/2 cup heavy creamEquipment: a cloth pastry bag or heavy-duty plastic pastry bag; a large star pastry tip (such as Wilton #2110)
Directions:
Make the churros:
Combine 1/2 cup sugar with the cinnamon in a shallow bowl. Set aside. Line a plate with paper towels.
In a small saucepan over medium heat, whisk together the water, 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar, salt and 2 tablespoons vegetable oil. Bring the mixture to a boil then remove it from the heat. Stir in the flour, mixing until it forms a ball.
Heat 3 to 4 inches of vegetable oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot set over medium-high heat until it reaches 375ºF. (There should be a minimum of 3 inches above the oil to prevent it from bubbling over.)
Transfer the dough to a cloth pastry bag or heavy-duty plastic bag fitted with a large star tip.
Pipe the dough over the pot of oil to a length of about 4 inches, then using scissors or a sharp knife, cut it so it releases into the oil. (Stand back to avoid any splatters.) Pipe two to three churros into the oil at a time, frying them until they're golden brown and cooked through. Transfer the churros to the paper towel-lined plate to drain for 2 minutes, then roll them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Repeat the frying and coating process with the remaining dough.
Serve the churros with the warm chocolate sauce (recipe below).
Make the chocolate sauce:
Place the chopped chocolate in a small bowl.
Warm the heavy cream in small saucepan. (Do not let it boil.) Pour the heavy cream over the chopped chocolate. Let it sit for 1 minute then stir to combine.
Kelly's Notes:
It's important to use a cloth or heavy-duty plastic pastry bag, as a regular resealable plastic bag is not thick enough and will split open if you try to pipe the churro dough through it.The chocolate sauce will thicken as it cools, so it's best to make it right before you're ready to serve it with the churros.
A pastry tip isn't essential, however using the large star-shaped tip will give the churros the textured lines you see in the photos.
This churro recipe can be easily doubled.
Churro dough inspired by AllRecipes.com.
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar — March 6, 2013 @ 6:56 am
I am so into these it’s not even funny! LOVE this recipe. What a gorgeous snack!!
Heather || Heather's Dish — March 6, 2013 @ 10:34 am
Oh dear, there’s no way this ISN’T happening!
carmen — March 6, 2013 @ 10:49 am
Delicius!! did you know churros with chocolate are tipical from spain? we love churros for breakfast, specialy on weekends, so you must come to spain and try the real ones. Congratulations for your blog!
sarah k @ the pajama chef — March 6, 2013 @ 11:04 am
these are super impressive girl!! i can’t even imagine making them myself. wow!
Alison @ Ingredients, Inc. — March 6, 2013 @ 11:12 am
love this Kelley! Hope you’re well! Miss you
Abby @ The Frosted Vegan — March 6, 2013 @ 11:52 am
Oh. My. Goodness. I need these for lunch, stat!
Jen @ Jen's Favorite Cookies — March 6, 2013 @ 11:56 am
I’ve never made homemade churros before. This is a must-try!
NJMarge — March 6, 2013 @ 12:19 pm
I had my first churros con chocolate in Spain during college (when your mom was in England Jr. year abroad). Then had them again in Baja Mexico because I could not resist them. Thanks for bringing back one of my favorite food memories. Can’t wait to try them.
Rachel @ Bakerita — March 6, 2013 @ 12:41 pm
I’ve been wanting to make churros forever, especially since I got back from Barcelona where I had some incredible ones with a chocolate dipping sauce! Totally need to try these, they look soo good.
Blair @ BlairSays.com — March 6, 2013 @ 12:48 pm
Oh my goodness. I love love LOVE churros. My current favorites are from Rick Bayless’ restaurant Xoco in Chicago. I have never tried to make them at home though. That will have to change soon.
Kelly Senyei replied: — March 6th, 2013 @ 7:06 pm
Been dying to try Xoco, Blair!
Rachel @ Baked by Rachel — March 6, 2013 @ 2:32 pm
I freaking love churros! And they’re SO easy. Beautiful pictures!
shelly (cookies and cups) — March 6, 2013 @ 4:06 pm
Love this! I adore churros but have always been too scared to make them myself!
Meghan — March 6, 2013 @ 5:12 pm
These look amazing! Haven’t had churros in so long – must remedy that asap!
Marian (Sweetopia) — March 6, 2013 @ 5:41 pm
Oh my gosh, these look SO delicious! Love your photography btw.
Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious — March 6, 2013 @ 5:45 pm
My love for churros began when I went to my first amusement park. It’s so overpriced at these parks but hey, they really are amazing. But I bet these homemade ones are 100000x better! Can’t wait to try them out myself. I’ll double the batch so I don’t cry when I reach the end of the churro
Megan {Country Cleaver} — March 6, 2013 @ 5:49 pm
I remember my first Churro too! I think it was Knott’s Berry Farm. Had one every day of my vacation in CA. Never eve nthought of making them at home – awesome!!
Jackie @ The Beeroness — March 6, 2013 @ 7:00 pm
I actually missed my flight out of Madrid Spain because I stopped for Churros and Chocolate sauce. Although it was an accident (and I initially freaked out a tad bit) I maintain that it was totally worth it. These look incredible.
Kelly Senyei replied: — March 6th, 2013 @ 7:05 pm
This is one of the greatest churro stories ever. I’d also freak out, then look at the fried dough in my hand and realize it was all worth it
vanillasugarblog — March 6, 2013 @ 7:08 pm
well my 1st love of churros isn’t all glamorous, but I have, I think, a bucket of them from a local food truck in cali.
and this was back when food trucks were not the norm as they are now, but rather a pimped out 80′s style camper, and no one serving spoke a lick of english, but sure made a pretty incredible churro!
Kelly Senyei replied: — March 6th, 2013 @ 8:05 pm
Love this!
Paige — March 6, 2013 @ 7:42 pm
I just started following you today! These churros look so delicious!
Paige
http://thehappyflammily.blogpost.com
Kelly Senyei replied: — March 6th, 2013 @ 8:06 pm
Welcome, Paige!
Carrie @ Bakeaholic Mama — March 6, 2013 @ 7:52 pm
I have never had a churro…. which is such a shame since all good things are deep fried. These look amazing.
Jackie l FoodWineFashion.com — March 6, 2013 @ 8:14 pm
Hey Kelly – you have another new follower here! I am OBSESSED with churros – every since I was young – just like you. Can’t wait to try this recipe.
xo Jackie
Julie @ Table for Two — March 6, 2013 @ 8:30 pm
i’m so hopelessly in love with churros!! i always got the churros at costco – the HUGE ones – for 99 cents. i almost got one the other day, too, but luckily i didn’t ’cause now i can make it at home
yours looks so perfect!
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl — March 6, 2013 @ 9:13 pm
Ohh geez! You have got my sweet tooth going BAD with these!
Stephanie @ Eat. Drink. Love. — March 6, 2013 @ 10:01 pm
Oh my gahhhhhhh!! These are perfection!
Heidi @ Bits of Sunshine — March 7, 2013 @ 1:06 am
These look perfect! And amazing! Made me laugh that the only thing to do its cry when all that is left is the sugary tissue! SO so true!
Jess — March 7, 2013 @ 3:42 am
Strangely, I had never even tasted a churro until I was in Beijing last year. (Save to say that they have international appeal!) I couldn’t believe I’d gone so long without them. I’d love to try making them – looking forward to trying this out!
Katie — March 7, 2013 @ 7:15 am
I have very similar childhood memories of chomping down on churros although I don’t think my parents ever let me eat 8! That is like a chid’s dream come true! Beautiful photos and recipe!
claire @ the realistic nutritionist — March 7, 2013 @ 9:35 am
I just LOVE churros!! Delicious cinnamon fried dough sticks. What is not to love?
Angie @ Big Bear's Wife — March 7, 2013 @ 10:35 am
ooo look at that chocolate dripping from the churros! I think I’m in love with these photos!
Sydney @ Crepes of Wrath — March 7, 2013 @ 11:30 am
I miss churros so much! We used to get ‘em all the time when I lived in Phoenix. We’d dip ours in dulce de leche, but the chocolate looks finger lickin’ good, too!
Nicole @ youngbrokeandhungry — March 7, 2013 @ 2:42 pm
I absolutely love Churros! However, I had no idea how easy they were to make. Can’t wait to try this recipe.
Rhonda Sittig — March 7, 2013 @ 9:37 pm
These look perfect! We lived in Spain for 12 years when our kids were young and we bought a kilo of churros, hot from the oil, wrapped in a paper cone every Sunday morning for breakfast! Dipped in that thick hot chocolate–incredible. I’ve tried making them back here in California– with little success. So I’m glad to see yours– Hope I can do it just the same! thanks!
Elizabeth - SugarHero! — March 8, 2013 @ 2:12 am
Yes please! These churros need to be happening, in my mouth, this instant. Thanks for giving me churro cravings at midnight…
Kristi @ Cherry Jasmine — March 8, 2013 @ 10:53 am
Oh my gosh – I must have and bake these today. They look amazing!
fabiola@notjustbaked — March 8, 2013 @ 2:55 pm
Homemade churros are so rewarding!
Miss Kim — March 10, 2013 @ 5:26 am
The churros look so yummy. Your pictures are making me salivate. I think the only times I’ve had churros were when I went to amusement parks or fairs, so they are definitely connected to memories of carefree fun times of childhood. Munching on warm, freshly made churros while waiting in line for the rides or while walking around at the Happiest Place on Earth, has always made my visits to the Magic Kingdom enjoyable. Even now when I visit, I can’t resist having one. The Disney parks always smell of popcorn, kettle corn, baked treats, caramel apples, and of course, churros! And the temptation is too irresistible. I just can’t help myself.
Rosie @ Blueberry Kitchen — March 11, 2013 @ 5:55 am
Oh wow yum, these look so good!
Sues — March 11, 2013 @ 11:18 am
Wow, I’m crazy impressed! I love churros, but have never made my own. These are PERFECT!!
Emelina Brooks — March 11, 2013 @ 2:03 pm
I just made them and they were great
Amanda — March 11, 2013 @ 2:55 pm
So fun, Kelly! Love these!!
Paula - bell'alimento — March 11, 2013 @ 3:57 pm
I’m going to need you to turn around so you don’t see me INHALE all of them ; )
Gloria @ Simply Gloria — March 12, 2013 @ 1:13 pm
I’m such a dipper! AND a churro lover…but never thought of dipping these amazing cinnamon delectables into chocolate! Brilliant! (=
Jen L | Tartine and Apron Strings — March 12, 2013 @ 11:16 pm
I am so glad you came over to my blog, and now I’m here at your beautiful site! And churros? Reminds me of Espana! And also the Philippines (where I grew up)…these take me back to a fine time in my life…I adore churros con chocolate!
Christine @ 24 Carrot Kitchen — March 13, 2013 @ 7:43 am
My daughter will absolutely want me to make these! I love that the recipe is simple and the beautiful photos.
Laura Dembowski — March 18, 2013 @ 3:28 pm
I have never had a churro! I will have to try making my own, as they seem so easy. Love anything coated with cinnamon sugar!
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Michelle — March 20, 2013 @ 3:51 pm
We are from the border, and my daughter LOVES churros. We haven’t been able to find any where we live now that are very tasty. Will definitely be making these! Thank you~
~RED
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Melissa @ Freeing Imperfections — April 5, 2013 @ 4:12 pm
Love your story behind these. I lived in LA as a kid and went to Disney Land for every one of my birthday’s until I was about 8. Churros have a place in my heart that, unless you’ve had those churros at DL, no one can understand.
Can’t wait to make these someday!
Tia — April 8, 2013 @ 1:01 am
i never made or eat churros before, and there are just a few resto sells churros here in my country…
i just made churros based on this recipe..oh boy, it is sooo GOOD..
i ended not rolling them on sugar, but only dipping them on dark chocolate sauce..so GREAT..
Thanks for the recipe!!
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jennifer — May 10, 2013 @ 10:28 pm
While up googling “pregnancy insomnia” at 4am, I came across a website saying my 28 week old baby is now the length of an amusement park churro. So now, of course, I HAVE to have one this second, and am now still up, searching for homemade churro recipes!! Ahh! Im not sure if I love you or hate you for posting this amazing and delicious looking recipe…but im seriously considering climbing out of bed and heating up a pan of oil right now. Lol
Kelly Senyei replied: — May 10th, 2013 @ 10:33 pm
Jennifer – I just have to tell you that I think this may be the greatest comment ever posted on Just a Taste in its nearly 5-year existence. THANK YOU for absolutely making my day with a much-needed roaring laugh! Get some rest and make these tasty churros in the a.m.
eliana Vivas — May 15, 2013 @ 1:06 pm
I’ve just made the recipe fir a Spanish breakfast here I’m Venezuela. It couldn’thave beenmore easy. Almost burned a few but theyall taste delicious thanks!