Churros con Chocolate Sauce: A Sweet Indulgence from Spain

Churros con chocolate is a beloved Spanish treat that has captured the hearts and taste buds of dessert lovers around the world. These crispy, golden-brown pastries are typically served with a rich, velvety chocolate sauce for dipping, making them the perfect indulgence for breakfast, dessert, or a sweet snack. In this article, we’ll explore the history of churros, the key ingredients for making churros and chocolate sauce, and a step-by-step recipe to create this delightful dish at home.

Key Ingredients for Churros

For the Churros:

• All-Purpose Flour: The base of the churro dough, providing structure and texture.
• Water: Used to hydrate the dough and create the right consistency.
• Butter: Adds richness and flavor to the churros.
• Sugar: Sweetens the dough and enhances the overall flavor.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the flavor of the churros.
• Eggs: Provide moisture and help bind the dough together.
• Cinnamon Sugar: A mixture of sugar and cinnamon for coating the churros after frying.

For the Chocolate Sauce:

• Dark Chocolate: The star of the sauce, providing a rich and intense chocolate flavor.
• Heavy Cream: Adds creaminess and helps create a smooth sauce.
• Sugar: Sweetens the sauce to balance the bitterness of the chocolate.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the flavor of the chocolate sauce.

How to Make Churros con Chocolate Sauce

For the Churros:

• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs
• Oil for frying (vegetable or canola oil)
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar (for coating)
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

For the Chocolate Sauce:

• 6 ounces dark chocolate (chopped)
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Churro Dough

1. Combine Ingredients: In a medium saucepan, combine the water, butter, sugar, and salt. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the butter is melted.
2. Add Flour: Once boiling, remove the saucepan from heat and add the flour all at once. Stir vigorously with a wooden spoon until the mixture forms a smooth ball of dough and pulls away from the sides of the pan.
3. Cool and Add Eggs: Allow the dough to cool for about 5 minutes. Then, add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition until fully incorporated. The dough should be smooth and slightly sticky.

Step 2: Heat the Oil

4. Heat Oil: In a deep skillet or pot, heat about 2 inches of oil over medium heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C). You can test the oil by dropping a small piece of dough into it; if it sizzles and rises to the surface, the oil is ready.

Step 3: Pipe the Churros

5. Prepare Piping Bag: Transfer the churro dough to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip. If you don’t have a piping bag, you can use a zip-top bag with the corner snipped off.
6. Pipe Churros: Carefully pipe strips of dough into the hot oil, cutting them to your desired length with scissors. Fry the churros in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pan.
7. Fry Until Golden: Fry the churros for about 2-3 minutes on each side, or until they are golden brown and crispy. Use a slotted spoon to remove them from the oil and transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.

Step 4: Coat the Churros

8. Prepare Cinnamon Sugar: In a shallow dish, combine the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon. While the churros are still warm, roll them in the cinnamon sugar mixture until fully coated.

Step 5: Make the Chocolate Sauce

9. Heat Cream: In a small saucepan, heat the heavy cream over medium heat until it begins to simmer. Remove from heat.
10. Add Chocolate: Add the chopped dark chocolate to the hot cream and let it sit for a minute to melt. Stir until smooth and fully combined. Add sugar and vanilla extract, mixing until well incorporated.

Step 6: Serve

11. Plate the Churros: Arrange the churros on a serving platter and serve them warm alongside a small bowl of the chocolate sauce for dipping. Enjoy the delightful combination of crispy churros and rich chocolate!

Tips for Perfect Churros

• Temperature Control: Maintaining the oil temperature is crucial for perfectly fried churros. If the oil is too hot, the churros will burn on the outside while remaining raw on the inside. If it’s too cool, they will absorb too much oil and become greasy.
• Piping Technique: For uniform churros, try to pipe them in straight lines. You can also experiment with different shapes, such as spirals or loops, for a fun presentation.
• Make Ahead: Churros are best enjoyed fresh, but you can prepare the dough in advance and refrigerate it until you’re ready to fry. Just allow it to come to room temperature before frying.
• Flavor Variations: Feel free to experiment with different flavors for the chocolate sauce. You can add a pinch of sea salt for a salted chocolate sauce or a splash of espresso for a mocha flavor.

READ MORE: Master chewy chocolate chip cookies with this simple guide.