These fried dough pastries are a staple in Spanish cuisine and for good reason. Let's dive into the delicious world of churros.
So, what exactly are churros?
Well, my friends, they are essentially long, skinny doughnuts that are crispy on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside. They're usually served with a side of chocolate dipping sauce or sprinkled with cinnamon sugar.
What makes churros so special, you ask?
Well, for starters, they're just plain delicious. But what really sets them apart is their versatility. You can have them for breakfast, as a snack, or even as a dessert. And if you're feeling fancy, you can even pipe them into different shapes and sizes.
Here's what you'll need to make a batch of churros:
- 1 cup water
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 quarts vegetable oil for frying
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Here's how you make churros step-by-step:
- In a medium saucepan, combine the water, 2 tablespoons of sugar, salt, and 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Once boiling, remove the pan from the heat and stir in the flour until it forms a ball.
- Heat the 2 quarts of vegetable oil in a deep fryer or heavy skillet over medium-high heat.
- Transfer the dough to a pastry bag fitted with a large star tip. Pipe the dough into 6-inch strips directly into the hot oil. You can also pipe them into whatever shapes you desire.
- Fry the churros until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes per side.
- Remove the churros from the oil with a slotted spoon and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to cool.
- In a separate bowl, mix together the 1/2 cup of sugar and 1 tablespoon of ground cinnamon.
- Once the churros have cooled slightly, roll them in the cinnamon sugar mixture until coated.
How long does it take to make these golden sticks of goodness?
Well, my friend, it should take you around 45 minutes to an hour to make a batch of churros. But don't worry, it's totally worth it.
Now, onto the tips to make your churros the best they can be:
- Use a star nozzle to pipe the churros. This will give them that classic ridged look and crispy texture.
- Don't overwork the dough. Churro dough should be mixed until it just comes together, overmixing can result in tough churros.
- Make sure your oil is hot enough. The ideal temperature for frying churros is around 375°F.
- Roll your churros in cinnamon sugar while they're still warm. This will ensure the sugar sticks to the churros and gives them that signature flavor.
- Serve with a warm chocolate sauce for dipping. Trust me, it's a game-changer.
Churros go great with a variety of flavors and drinks, including:
- A cup of hot chocolate
- A scoop of vanilla ice cream
- A sprinkle of sea salt
- A drizzle of caramel sauce
- A mug of coffee or tea
Now, I'm not going to sugarcoat it (pun intended), churros are not the healthiest snack. However, in moderation, they can definitely be enjoyed guilt-free.
Here are the nutritional facts for a 1-ounce churro:
- Calories: 84
- Fat: 4.5g
- Carbohydrates: 10.5g
- Protein: 1g
All of these fried and sugary treats will satisfy your sweet tooth and leave you feeling oh so happy.