How to Create Buttery Cinnamon Sugar Churros: A Simple Recipe for Everybody
Who doesn’t love churros? These golden, crispy treats coated in cinnamon sugar are like tiny bites of heaven! Whether you’re at a fair, a theme park, or sitting at home craving something sweet, churros are always a crowd pleaser. The best part? You can make them from scratch with just a few simple ingredients. In this post, I’ll walk you through an easy recipe to create buttery cinnamon sugar churros that taste amazing. Let’s get started!
What Are Churros?
Churros are fried dough pastries that traditionally come from Spain and Latin America. Think of them as a cousin to doughnuts, but in a stick-like shape. They’re crispy on the outside, soft and fluffy on the inside, and coated with a delightful mix of cinnamon and sugar. Many people dip churros in chocolate or caramel sauce, but they’re just as delicious on their own.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Before you start, gather these simple ingredients, most of which you probably already have in your kitchen:
For the Dough:
- 1 cup water
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons white sugar
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Coating:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
For Frying:
- Vegetable oil (or any neutral-tasting oil)
Equipment You’ll Need
Here’s what you’ll need to make churros:
1. A medium-sized saucepan.
2. A wooden spoon or spatula for stirring.
3. A piping bag with a star-shaped tip for shaping the churros.
4. A deep frying pan or pot for frying.
5. Paper towels for draining excess oil.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
Start by making the churro dough. In a medium saucepan, combine water, butter, white sugar, and salt. Place it over medium heat and stir until the butter melts and the mixture comes to a boil.
Next, reduce the heat to low and add the flour all at once. Stir quickly with a wooden spoon until the dough comes together and forms a ball. It should pull away from the sides of the pan and look smooth. Cook for about a minute, stirring constantly, then remove the pan from the heat.
Let the dough cool for 5 minutes. This is important because you don’t want the eggs to scramble when you add them!
After the dough has cooled slightly, mix in the eggs one at a time. It may look like the dough is breaking apart at first, but keep mixing—it will come back together into a thick, shiny batter. Stir in the vanilla extract for flavor.
Step 2: Heat the Oil
Pour about 2–3 inches of vegetable oil into a deep frying pan or pot. Heat the oil over medium heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C). If you don’t have a thermometer, you can test the oil by dropping in a small piece of dough—it should sizzle and float to the top.
Step 3: Shape and Fry the Churros
Fill a piping bag fitted with a star-shaped tip with the churro dough. Squeeze out dough into the hot oil, about 4–6 inches long per churro. Use scissors or a knife to cut the dough from the piping bag as it comes out.
Fry the churros in batches so you don’t overcrowd the pan. Cook them for about 2–3 minutes on each side, or until they’re golden brown. Carefully use tongs or a slotted spoon to transfer them to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
Step 4: Add Cinnamon Sugar Coating
While the churros are still warm, mix your granulated sugar and ground cinnamon in a large bowl. Toss the churros in the mixture until they’re fully coated. This step gives them their signature sweet and spicy flavor!
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy
Your buttery cinnamon sugar churros are ready! You can enjoy them as they are, or serve them with chocolate sauce, dulce de leche, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The warm, crispy texture combined with the cinnamon sugar coating makes them irresistible.
Tips for Perfect Churros
- Be careful with the oil temperature. If the oil is too hot, the churros will cook too quickly on the outside and stay raw on the inside. If it’s too cool, they’ll turn out greasy.
- Don’t skip letting the dough cool a bit before adding the eggs. Also, mix the eggs well to ensure the batter is smooth.
- Use a star-shaped piping tip for authentic churro ridges, which hold the cinnamon sugar and give that classic look.
Why Homemade Churros Are the Best
Store-bought churros are convenient, but making them at home allows you to control the flavor, texture, and ingredients. Plus, they’re so much fresher when you make them yourself! It’s a fun activity for the whole family, and you can customize the coating and dips however you like.
Creating buttery cinnamon sugar churros at home doesn’t need fancy skills or equipment. With this easy recipe, you’ll have golden, crispy churros ready in no time. Gather your supplies, follow the steps, and treat yourself and your loved ones to these iconic desserts. Trust me—once you’ve tried homemade churros, you’ll never want to go back to store-bought ones!
